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Introduction: The medical specialisation model in Spain is carried out in the context of specialised health training, through the residency programme. The aim of the study is to analyse, by an anonymous survey, the opinion on three aspects among final-year residents in Endocrinology and Nutrition (E&N): self-assessment of the knowledge acquired, working prospects, care and training consequences arising from the pandemic COVID-19., Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional observational study using a voluntary and anonymous online survey, shared among final-year national interns in the last year of the E&N programme, carried out between June-July 2021., Results: 51 responses were obtained, 66% of the fourth-year residents. Overall perception of their knowledge was 7.8 out of 10. Most external rotations were in thyroid and nutrition areas. A total of 96.1% residents, carried out some activity associated with COVID-19, with a training deterioration of 6.9 out of 10. 88.2% cancelled their rotations and 74.5% extended their working schedule. The average negative emotional impact was 7.3 out of 10. 80.4% would like to continue in their training hospital, remaining 45.1%. 56.7% have an employment contract of less than 6 months, most of them practising Endocrinology., Conclusion: The perception of the knowledge acquired during the training period is a "B". Residents consider that the pandemic has led to a worsening of their training, generating a negative emotional impact. Employment outlook after completing the residency can be summarised as: temporality, practice of Endocrinology and interhospital mobility., (Copyright © 2022 SEEN and SED. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: The use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has become standard practice in people with type 1 diabetes. The evaluation of user satisfaction is crucial. The Glucose Monitoring Experiences questionnaire (GME-Q) includes 23 items with a 5-point Likert scale to produce a total satisfaction score and three subscale scores. The study aimed to translate the GME-Q from English into Spanish and to validate its use in Spanish-speaking CGM users with type 1 diabetes., Methods: The linguistic translation and validation process of the GME-Q was established. T1D CGM users were asked to complete the produced Spanish version of the GME-Q and interviewed about difficulties or misunderstandings. Total satisfaction, effectiveness, convenience and intrusiveness subscales and internal consistency reliability were computed., Results: Forward and backward translations and cognitive debriefing produced a final version of the GME-Q in Spanish. Ninety-eight subjects with type 1 diabetes were selected (age: 40 ± 12 years, 63% females, Hb1c: 7.2 ± 0.9% (55 ± 10 mmol/l), pump users: 78%, CGM use: 3.7 ± 2.6 years). The completion rate was 99% and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.8. The total satisfaction score was 3.9 ± 0.4 (effectiveness: 4.1 ± 0.6, convenience: 3.8 ± 0.6, intrusiveness: 2.2 ± 0.7)., Conclusion: The GME-Q was translated into Spanish and validated for Spanish-speaking CGM users with type 1 diabetes.

Aim: To analyse the real-life outcomes of two sensor-augmented pumps (SAP) with predictive low glucose suspend (PLGS) function, Medtronic Minimed 640G™ with SmartGuard (MM640G) and Tandem T Slim X2™ with Basal-IQ™ (TTSX2), in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) patients., Methods: Observational cross-sectional study using data obtained from computerized clinical records. All T1DM patients on TTSX2 therapy were compared (1:1) with MM640G treated patients selected through stratified sampling. Primary efficacy outcome was to describe time in rage (TIR, 70-180 mg/dL, 3.9-10 mmol/L) interstitial glucose differences according to a non-inferiority hypothesis with TTSX2 compared to MM640G., Results: Forty-four patients were analyzed (female 66%). Mean age was 38.9 yrs. (range 23-59 yrs.) and mean diabetes duration was 23.4 ± 9.2 yrs. Patients treated with TTSX2 showed a numerically slightly lower, but non-statistically significantly different, TIR from the MM640G pump group (64.9 ± 16.4% vs. 72.4 ± 17.0%, P = 0.108). Similarly, we did no find differences in HbA1c between T1D patients treated with TTSX2 and MM640G (6.8 ± 1.0% vs. 7.0 ± 0.9%, 51 ± 11 mmol/mol vs. 53 ± 10 mmol/mol, P = 0.312). Moreover, rest of evaluated glycemic outcomes were similar between both treatment groups., Conclusions: Patients using two different SAP with PLGS automatic function showed similar glycaemic control in a real-world scenario. NCT04741685., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The authors declare that they have not received research support or compensation from Medtronic or Tandem. JMF reports consultant fees and speaker honoraria from Medtronic, Tandem, Dexcom, Abbott, Roche and Ypsomed. PB has received speaking/consulting honoraria from Medtronic Diabetes, Roche Diabetes, Abbott, Novalab and Lilly. Rest of authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest concerning this article., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Advanced hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) systems represent the next step of automation intended to maximize normoglycemia in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In the AHCL MiniMed 780G system, different algorithm glucose targets for insulin infusion are available and autocorrection boluses are delivered. The aim was to prospectively evaluate the impact of the implementation of this AHCL system in a clinical setting. Materials and Methods: T1D subjects using a sensor-augmented pump with predictive low-glucose suspend (SAP-PLGS) were upgraded to AHCL. Baseline, every 3 days, 2-week and 1-month sensor and pump data were downloaded. Glucose target was set to 100 mg/dL and active insulin time to 2 h for all the subjects. Time in different glucose ranges was compared. Results: Fifty-two T1D subjects were included (age: 43 ± 12 years, 73% females, diabetes duration: 27 ± 11 years, HbA1c: 7.2% ± 0.9%, time in SAP-PLGS: 5 ± 2 years). Time in range (TIR) 70-180 mg/dL increased from 67.3% ± 13.6% at baseline to 79.6% ± 7.9% at 1 month ( P  = 0.001). Time in hyperglycemia >180 and >250 mg/dL decreased from 29.4% ± 15.1% to 17.3% ± 8.6% and from 6.9% ± 7.8% to 2.5% ± 2.4%, respectively ( P  = 0.001). No differences in time in hypoglycemia <70 or <54 mg/dL were found. Time in Auto Mode was 97% ± 4%, and autocorrection insulin was 31% ± 14% of bolus insulin. Four hours postprandial glucose was improved from 162 ± 26 mg/dL at baseline to 142 ± 16 mg/dL at 1 month ( P  = 0.001). No severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis episodes occurred. Conclusion: AHCL systems allow well-controlled T1D patients to rapidly increase their TIR. The most aggressive settings allow optimal outcomes in TIR, without increasing hypoglycemia frequency.

Aims: Automation in diabetes technology is rapidly evolving. The aim was to evaluate the real-world glycemic outcomes and user acceptance after 3 months of using the Medtronic 780G Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop (AHCL) system., Methods: A prospective analysis was performed. A glucose target of 100 mg/dl and an active insulin time of 2 h were set. Capillary HbA1c, 2-week of pump and sensor data and several satisfaction questionnaire scores were compared at baseline and after 3 months of using the AHCL system., Results: 52 subjects were selected (age: 43 ± 12 years, sex: 73% female, diabetes duration: 27 ± 11 years, higher education: 31%). Time in range (TIR) 70-180 mg/dl increased from 67.3 ± 13.6% to 80.1 ± 7.5% and time >180 mg/dl and >250 mg/dl were reduced (16.8 ± 8.4 vs 29.4 ± 15.1%, 2.7 ± 3.0% vs 6.9 ± 7.8%, respectively) (all p < 0.001), while time in hypoglycaemia remained below recommended targets. Time in Auto-Mode and sensor use were 94 ± 10% and 90 ± 11%, respectively. Auto-correction boluses represented 29 ± 12% of bolus insulin. Fear of hypoglycaemia, diabetes quality of life, sleep quality and satisfaction with the monitoring system improved after 3 months., Conclusion: The real-world use of the AHCL system Medtronic 780G provides an 80.1% TIR 70-180 mg/dl with minimal hypoglycaemia and an increased level of patient satisfaction., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: Several treatment modalities are available for type 1 diabetes (T1D), including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring (FGM) with MDI, sensor-augmented pumps with predictive low-glucose suspend function (SAP-PLGS) and hybrid closed-loop systems (HCL). The aim of the study was to evaluate the real-world benefits obtained with these treatment modalities., Methods and Results: A cross-sectional study was performed, selecting 4 groups of T1D subjects, regarding their treatment modalities, paired by age, sex and diabetes duration. A comparison was performed, concerning time in different glucose ranges in 2-week sensor downloads. Estimated HbA1c, glycaemic variability measures and sensor use were also compared. 302 T1D people were included (age: 39 ± 12 years, 47% male, diabetes duration: 21 ± 10 years, estimated HbA1c: 7.28 ± 0.84% (56 ± 9 mmol/mol), baseline HbA1c: 7.4 ± 1.0% (57 ± 11 mmol/mol), length of use of the device 8 [3-21] months). Group 1 (CGM + MDI) and 2 (FGM + MDI) showed no differences in time in different glucose ranges. Group 4 (HCL) showed a higher time 70-180 mg/dl and a lower time in hypoglycaemia than group 3 (SAP-PLGS). Group 1 and 2 showed lower time 70-180 mg/dl, higher time in hyperglycaemia and higher glycaemic variability measures than group 3. Group 4 was superior to groups 1 and 2 in all the outcomes., Conclusion: Real-life achievements in glycaemic control and glycaemic variability are described. HCL offer the maximum benefit in terms of time in range and hypoglycaemia protection, compared to CGM + MDI, FGM + MDI and SAP-PLGS., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Automatization of insulin delivery by closed-loop systems represents a major step in type 1 diabetes management. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the commercialized hybrid closed-loop system, the MiniMed 670G system, on glycemic control, glycemic variability, and patient satisfaction. Methods: A prospective study, including type 1 diabetes patients consecutively starting on the 670G system in one adult and two pediatric hospitals, was performed. Baseline and 3-month visits were documented. Two weeks of data from the system were downloaded. Glycemic variability measures were calculated. Adults and adolescents completed a set of questionnaires (Gold and Clarke scores, Hypoglycemia Fear Survey, Diabetes Quality of Life [DQoL], Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction [DTS], Diabetes Distress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Results: Fifty-eight patients were included (age: 28 ± 15 years [7-63], <18 years old: 38% [ n  = 22], 59% [ n  = 34] females, previous use of SAP-PLGS [predictive low-glucose suspend]: 60% [ n  = 35]). HbA1c was reduced from 57 ± 10 to 53 ± 7 mmol/L (7.4% ± 0.9% to 7.0% ± 0.6%) ( P  < 0.001) and time in range 70-180 mg/dL was increased from 63.0% ± 11.4% to 72.7% ± 8.7% ( P  < 0.001). In patients with high baseline hypoglycemia risk, time <54 and <70 mg/dL were reduced from 0.9% ± 1.1% to 0.45% ± 0.7% ( P  = 0.021) and from 3.3% ± 2.8% to 2.1% ± 2.1% ( P  = 0.019), respectively. Glycemic variability measures improved. Time in auto mode was 85% ± 17%, the number of auto mode exits was 0.6 ± 0.3 per day, and the number of alarms was 8.5 ± 3.7 per day. Fear of hypoglycemia, DQoL, DTS, and diabetes distress improved, while the percentage of patients with poor sleep quality was reduced. The discontinuation rate was 3%. Conclusion: The commercialized hybrid closed-loop system improves glycemic control and glycemic variability in children and adults, reducing the burden of living with type 1 diabetes.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of infliximab (IFX) versus adalimumab (ADA) as a first-line biologic drug over 1 year of treatment in a large series of patients with refractory uveitis due to Behçet's disease (BD)., Methods: We conducted an open-label multicenter study of IFX versus ADA for BD-related uveitis refractory to conventional nonbiologic treatment. IFX or ADA was chosen as the first-line biologic agent based on physician and patient agreement. Patients received 3-5 mg/kg intravenous IFX at 0, 2, and 6 weeks and every 4-8 weeks thereafter, or 40 mg subcutaneous ADA every other week without a loading dose. Ocular parameters were compared between the 2 groups., Results: The study included 177 patients (316 affected eyes), of whom 103 received IFX and 74 received ADA. There were no significant baseline differences between treatment groups in main demographic features, previous therapy, or ocular sign severity. After 1 year of therapy, we observed an improvement in all ocular parameters in both groups. However, patients receiving ADA had significantly better outcomes in some parameters, including improvement in anterior chamber inflammation (92.31% versus 78.18% for IFX; P = 0.06), improvement in vitritis (93.33% versus 78.95% for IFX; P = 0.04), and best-corrected visual acuity (mean ± SD 0.81 ± 0.26 versus 0.67 ± 0.34 for IFX; P = 0.001). A nonsignificant difference was seen for macular thickness (mean ± SD 250.62 ± 36.85 for ADA versus 264.89 ± 59.74 for IFX; P = 0.15), and improvement in retinal vasculitis was similar between the 2 groups (95% for ADA versus 97% for IFX; P = 0.28). The drug retention rate was higher in the ADA group (95.24% versus 84.95% for IFX; P = 0.042)., Conclusion: Although both IFX and ADA are efficacious in refractory BD-related uveitis, ADA appears to be associated with better outcomes than IFX after 1 year of follow-up., (© 2019, American College of Rheumatology.)

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of comorbidities in patients with RA in Spain and discuss their management and implications using data from the Spanish cohort of the multinational study on COMOrbidities in Rheumatoid Arthritis (COMORA)., Methods: This is a national sub-analysis of the COMORA study. We studied the demographics and disease characteristics of 200 adults patients diagnosed with RA (1987 ACR), and routine practices for screening and preventing the following selected comorbidities: cardiovascular, infections, cancer, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, osteoporosis and depression., Results: Patients had a mean age of 58 years and a mean RA duration of 10 years. Mean DAS28 score was 3.3 and approximately 25% of patients were in remission (DAS28 <2.6). Forty-four (22%) patients had ≥1 comorbidity, the most frequent being depression (27%) and obesity (26%). A history of myocardial infarction or stroke was observed in 5% and 1% of patients, respectively, and any solid tumor in 6%. Having a Framingham Risk Score >20% (51%), hypercholesterolemia (46%) or hypertension (41%) and smoking (25%) were the most common CV risk factors. For prostate, colon and skin cancers, only 9%, 10% and 18% of patients, respectively, were optimally monitored. Infections were also inadequately managed, with 7% and 17% of patients vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal, respectively, as was osteoporosis, with 47% of patients supplemented with vitamin D and 56% with a bone densitometry performed., Conclusions: In Spain, the prevalence of comorbidities and CV risk factors in RA patients with established and advanced disease is relatively high, and their management in clinical daily practice remains suboptimal., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of adalimumab (ADA) therapy optimization in a large series of patients with uveitis due to Behçet disease (BD) who achieved remission after the use of this biologic agent., Design: Open-label multicenter study of ADA-treated patients with BD uveitis refractory to conventional immunosuppressants., Subjects: Sixty-five of 74 patients with uveitis due to BD, who achieved remission after a median ADA duration of 6 (range, 3-12) months. ADA was optimized in 23 (35.4%) of them. This biologic agent was maintained at a dose of 40 mg/subcutaneously/2 weeks in the remaining 42 patients., Methods: After remission, based on a shared decision between the patient and the treating physician, ADA was optimized. When agreement between patient and physician was reached, optimization was performed by prolonging the ADA dosing interval progressively. Comparison between optimized and nonoptimized patients was performed., Main Outcome Measures: Efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness in optimized and nonoptimized groups. To determine efficacy, intraocular inflammation (anterior chamber cells, vitritis, and retinal vasculitis), macular thickness, visual acuity, and the sparing effect of glucocorticoids were assessed., Results: No demographic or ocular differences were found at the time of ADA onset between the optimized and the nonoptimized groups. Most ocular outcomes were similar after a mean ± standard deviation follow-up of 34.7±13.3 and 26±21.3 months in the optimized and nonoptimized groups, respectively. However, relevant adverse effects were only seen in the nonoptimized group (lymphoma, pneumonia, severe local reaction at the injection site, and bacteremia by Escherichia coli, 1 each). Moreover, the mean ADA treatment costs were lower in the optimized group than in the nonoptimized group (6101.25 euros/patient/year vs. 12 339.48; P < 0.01)., Conclusion: ADA optimization in BD uveitis refractory to conventional therapy is effective, safe, and cost-effective., (Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this work was to evaluate whether the heart function of bullfrog tadpoles (25 Gosner stage) is affected by their acute exposure (48 h) to a sub-lethal concentration (10 µg.L-1) of the active principle of the organophosphorus pesticide Folisuper 600R (methyl parathion - MP). Our results demonstrated that MP causes not only a reduction in tadpoles' cardiac ventricular mass, resulting in a marked reduction in their cardiac twitch force, but also impairs their swimming performance, irrespective of increasing their heart rate. Together, these findings indicate that low and realistic concentration of MP have a negative impact on tadpoles' performance, jeopardizing their survival.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of anti-TNF-α therapy in refractory uveitis due to Behçet's disease (BD)., Methods: We performed a multicentre study of 124 patients with BD uveitis refractory to conventional treatment including high-dose corticosteroids and at least one standard immunosuppressive agent. Patients were treated for at least 12 months with infliximab (IFX) (3-5 mg/kg at 0, 2 and 6 weeks and then every 4-8 weeks) or adalimumab (ADA) (usually 40 mg every 2 weeks). The main outcome measures were degree of anterior and posterior chamber inflammation, visual acuity, macular thickness and immunosuppression load., Results: Sixty-eight men and 56 women (221 affected eyes) were studied. The mean age was 38.6 years (s.d. 10.4). HLA-B51 was positive in 66.1% of patients and uveitis was bilateral in 78.2%. IFX was the first biologic agent in 77 cases (62%) and ADA was first in 47 (38%). In most cases anti-TNF-α drugs were used in combination with conventional immunosuppressive drugs. At the onset of anti-TNF-α therapy, anterior chamber and vitreous inflammation was observed in 57% and 64.4% of patients, respectively. In both conditions the damage decreased significantly after 1 year. At baseline, 50 patients (80 eyes) had macular thickening [optical coherence tomography (OCT) >250 μm] and 35 (49 eyes) had cystoid macular oedema (OCT>300 μm) that improved from 420 μm (s.d. 119.5) at baseline to 271 μm (s.d. 45.6) at month 12 (P < 0.01). The best-corrected visual acuity and the suppression load also showed significant improvement. After 1 year of follow-up, 67.7% of patients were inactive. Biologic therapy was well tolerated in most cases., Conclusion: Anti-TNF-α therapy is effective and relatively safe in refractory BD uveitis., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

A drastic amphibian decline has been observed worldwide, which can be attributed (among other factors) to exposure to pollutants. Considering that cadmium corresponds to the most rapidly increasing trace metal in the environment, the aim of this work was to evaluate whether the exposure (2 and 16 days) of bullfrog tadpoles to this trace metal, at the concentration currently considered environmentally safe (at 1ppb) in class 1 and 2 waters by the Brazilian Environmental Council, can affect the cardiac performance of these animals. The acute exposure (2 days) of tadpoles to cadmium resulted in a marked bradycardic response, which was correlated with an incomplete cardiac relaxation, without any compensation by improved cardiac twitch force (Fc) or contraction velocity (TPT), nor even by cardiac hypertrophy. Indeed, after 16 days of exposure, the cardiac function of tadpoles became even more depressed due to a marked decrease in Fc, a prolongation of TPT, and also incomplete relaxation (i.e. increases in the ventricle resting tension), without changes in ventricle relative mass. Altogether, the cardiodepressive effects of cadmium (especially after more prolonged exposure periods) impose negative alterations on a tadpole׳s development and also impede adequate homeostatic adjustments to respond appropriately to the exposure to cadmium with increase in energetic demand to counteract the deleterious effects of the xenobiotic. These disturbances can impair tadpoles׳ growth, development and reproduction. It is a fact that allows us to strongly suggest that cadmium concentrations, which are currently considered environmentally safe in Brazil, should be revised., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Venous thromboembolism events (VTE) prophylaxis after elective hip or knee replacement surgery is a subject of controversy. Three sets of guidelines (NICE, ACCP and AAOS) on this topic have recently been updated. The guidelines have points in common: prophylaxis is necessary, it is recommended to combine mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis in patients who have suffered a previous VTE, isolated mechanical measures and low molecular weight heparins are effective, the new oral anticoagulants and fondaparinux are effective drugs. There is some consensus in recommending regional anaesthesia, in advising against echography studies in asymptomatic patients, and in the promotion of early mobilisation of the patient. There is controversy over the most suitable pharmacological treatment and the time of starting, and the duration of this, as well as on vena cava filters, antiplatelet drugs, and VTE or bleeding risk factors., (Copyright © 2012 SECOT. Published by Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the validity of reduced joint counts for ultrasonographic (US) assessment of joint inflammatory activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)., Methods: Ninety-four patients with RA were included. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were recorded for each patient. The presence of tenderness, swelling and a subjective swelling score from 0 to 3 were assessed by two rheumatologists who reached consensus in 60 joints examined in each patient. All patients underwent an US examination by a third blinded rheumatologist, using power Doppler (PD). US joint effusion, synovitis and PD signal were graded from 0 to 3 in the 60 joints. A 60-joint count and index for effusion, synovitis and PD signal were recorded. A 6-, 10-, 16-, 18-, and two 12-joint counts and indices for US parameters that included the most frequently US involved joints were calculated for each patient., Results: A 12-joint assessment for effusion, synovitis and PD signal, including bilateral wrist, second and third MCP, second and third PIP of hands and knee joints highly correlated with corresponding 60-joint US counts and indices. This reduced-joint US evaluation showed a similar correlation with clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity to corresponding 60-joint assessment., Conclusion: We propose that a 12-joint evaluation may be a useful tool for US assessment of overall joint inflammatory activity in RA.

Objective: To compare the clinical assessment of overall inflammatory activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with grey scale and power Doppler (PD) ultrasonography (US)., Methods: Ninety four consecutive patients with RA were included. Demographic and clinical data, C reactive protein (CRP) level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were recorded for each patient. The presence of tenderness, swelling, and a subjective swelling score from 1 to 3 were independently assessed by two rheumatologists, who reached a consensus in 60 joints examined in each patient. All patients underwent a US examination by a third blinded rheumatologist, using PD. US joint effusion, synovitis, and PD signal were graded from 1 to 3 in the 60 joints. Joint count and joint index for effusion, synovitis, and PD signal were recorded. A 28 joint count for clinical and US variables was calculated. Interobserver reliability of the US examination was evaluated by a fourth blinded rheumatologist., Results: US showed significantly more joints with effusion (mean 15.2) and synovitis (mean 14.6) than clinical examination (mean 11.5, p<0.05). A significant correlation was found between joint count and joint index for swelling, US effusion, synovitis, and PD signal. The 28 joint count for effusion, synovitis, and PD signal correlated highly with the corresponding 60 joint counts. US findings correlated better with CRP and ESR than clinical measures. Interobserver reliability was better for US findings than for clinical assessment., Conclusion: US is a sensitive method for assessing joint inflammatory activity in RA, complementary to clinical evaluation.

A novel optical reflectance transducer for continuous and real time monitoring of oxygen saturation (So2) in extracorporeal tubings during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is described. The optical transducer integrates 2 light-emitting diodes and a photodiode. The transducer is attached to the extracorporeal tubing by a transparent flow through a 3/8 x 3/8 inch connector/cuvette. Four transducers were built and evaluated in vitro in a mock extracorporeal system at a controlled So2. The correlation index (r2) between the So2 measured by the transducers and values determined by a commercial blood gas analyzer was 0.998 with an absolute difference < 0.5%. The performance of the transducer was also evaluated during 16 CPB surgeries in patients with an r2 of 0.873 and an absolute difference < 3.5%. The results obtained demonstrate the applicability of the optical reflectance transducer for monitoring So2 in the tubings of the CPB circuit.

Postmortem and crash investigation reports were examined for 35 cases of belted automotive crash fatalities. This paper highlights those cases with speculation of the injury mechanism in the post mortem report. In two cases, the medical examiner made specific reference to a 'whiplash' mechanism of brain injury, which refers to an inertial loading of the neck without head contact. Examination of the car interior in one case indicated evidence of head contact with transfer of hair, and the other facial contact with transfer of teeth. Death was more likely due to direct head impact. In another case, the vehicle was struck laterally by another car on the far side of the driver. The medical examiner stated that the driver incurred typical 'steering wheel type' injury, while examination of the car interior indicated no consequential contact between the driver and the steering wheel. Instead, the intruding passenger door probably impacted the driver at a velocity high enough to induce fatal chest injuries. These cases demonstrate the necessity of a thorough examination of contact points in the crashed car to discern the mechanism of injury and to reconstruct the kinematics of injured occupants in a crash. They also demonstrate how 'popular' misunderstanding of mechanisms of fatal injury may be introduced and perpetuated.