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Faith community nurses (FCNs), pastors, and priests faced many challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as frontline sources of support for congregants. The aim of this study was to identify the most common care strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine professional quality of life, perceived stress, and associated factors in faith leaders and FCNs in rural Appalachia. Using a cross-sectional, descriptive survey design, high compassion satisfaction was reported along with compassion fatigue as caregiving moved to virtual platforms, suggesting the need for greater support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hazardous air pollutants are plausible candidate exposures for autism spectrum disorders. They have been explored in recent studies for their role in the development of these disorders.Methods: We used a prevalent case-control design to screen perinatal exposure to 35 hazardous air pollutants for further investigation in autism etiology. We included 383 children with autism spectrum disorders and, as controls, 2,829 children with speech and language impairment. All participants were identified from the records-based surveillance of 8-year-old children conducted by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network in North Carolina (for children born in 1994 and 1996) and West Virginia (born in 1992 and 1994). Exposures to ambient concentrations of metal, particulate, and volatile organic air pollutants in the census tract of the child's birth residence were assigned from the 1996 National Air Toxics Assessment annual-average model. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for autism spectrum disorders and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), comparing across the 20th and 80th percentiles of log-transformed hazardous air pollutant concentration among the selected controls, using semi-Bayes logistic models and adjusting for sampling variables (surveillance year and state), a priori demographic confounders from the birth certificate and census, and covarying air pollutants.Results: We estimated many near-null ORs, including those for metals, established human neurodevelopmental toxicants, and several pollutants that were elevated in a similar study in California. Hazardous air pollutants with more precise and elevated OR estimates included methylene chloride, 1.4 (95% CI = 0.7-2.5), quinoline, 1.4 (1.0-2.2), and styrene, 1.8 (1.0-3.1).Conclusions: Our screening design was limited by exposure misclassification of air pollutants and the use of an alternate developmental disorder as the control group, both of which may have biased results toward the null. Despite these limitations, methylene chloride, quinoline, and styrene emerged (based on this analysis and prior epidemiologic evidence) as candidates that warrant further investigation for a possible role in autism etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family was previously identified that cosegregates a pericentric inversion, inv(3)(p14 : q21), with an early-onset developmental condition, characterized by impulsive behavior and intellectual deficit. The inversion breakpoints lie within DOCK3 and SLC9A9 at the p-arm and q-arm, respectively. Based on this report, these genes were selected to be evaluated in a family-based attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) association study.Conners' Parent (CPRS) and Teacher (CTRS) Rating Scales of AD/HD symptoms and Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) measures were collected and a minimal number of tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in each gene were selected for analysis. Analyses were performed on families who met research criteria for AD/HD. Using the program, QTDT, each tagging SNP was tested for association with T-scores from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) subscales according to the CTRS and CPRS, and five CPT measures.After adjusting for multiple testing, a SNP in the 3′ UTR of SLC9A9, rs1046706, remained significantly associated (false discovery rate, q value <0.05) with scores on the DSM-IV hyperactive-impulsive and total symptom subscales according to the CTRS and errors of commission on the CPT. In addition, an intronic SLC9A9 SNP, rs2360867, remained significantly associated with errors of commission.Our results suggest that SLC9A9 may be related to hyperactive-impulsive symptoms in AD/HD and the disruption of SLC9A9 may be responsible for the behavioral phenotype observed in the inversion family. The association with SLC9A9 is particularly interesting as it was recently implicated in a genome-wide association study for AD/HD. Further investigation of the role of SLC9A9 in AD/HD and other behavioral disorders is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing trend in hospitals throughout the world to incorporate mobile phones and other wireless technology to offer more efficient, cost effective, and higher quality healthcare. Misunderstanding of mobile phone systems, electromagnetic interference with medical devices, and available management solutions, however, has led to a wide range of inconsistent hospital policies. Recent reviews and commentaries on the subject have provided inconsistent and in some cases factually incorrect information that confuses the issue. At one extreme, unmanaged use of mobile phones in areas where life-critical medical devices are in operation can result in atypical situations that may place patients at risk. At the other extreme, overly-restrictive policies based upon speculation may deny benefits by acting as an obstacle to technology. Overly-restrictive policies may also not address growing and legitimate communication needs of patients and visitors in times of crisis. While it may not be feasible for hospitals to manage every mobile phone handset that is randomly brought into their facility without certain limits on use in areas where life-critical devices are commonly in operation, restrictions are not usually necessary throughout the entire facility. Restrictive policies are also better facilitated when easily accessible areas are designated where mobile phone use is encouraged. Controlled mobile phone systems for use by doctors and staff for hospital-specific communication, by contrast, can operate compatibly throughout the entire hospital facility with appropriate system design and management, even in sensitive areas, and such systems have already been deployed in a number of hospitals throughout the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concern over electromagnetic interference with medical devices due to cell phone emissions has stemmed from anecdotal reports and unpublished observations of hospital staff. In an effort to characterize electromagnetic interference concerns, representative medical devices from four large teaching hospitals were exposed to standard North American and European communication signal emissions. Of 33 medical devices tested, only 4 showed disruption of critical function due to cell phone emissions at a distance of 25 cm or greater. Although other cases of electromagnetic interference were observed, these were not critically disruptive and mainly occurred when the transmitters were at full power and placed 5 cm or closer to the medical device. Overall, no cell phone signal was exempt from producing electromagnetic interference effects. While sensitive medical devices were often affected by more than one signal type, the effects were not entirely predictable based upon the results of other signals or related medical device units or models. Because a comprehensive analysis of all medical devices in all possible electromagnetic environments was not performed, the data presented here are only intended to provide a general idea of the magnitude of electromagnetic interference effects that might be encountered in a hospital environment, as well as a standard protocol for clinical engineering groups to perform ad hoc electromagnetic interference surveys and methods to manage and/or eliminate electromagnetic interference with appropriate system engineering design including supplementary communication infrastructure, medical device shielding and positioning, and appropriate cell phone user guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determines the efficacy of a taxane-based chemotherapy in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site in Nashville, Tennessee. Schedule of the administration of the taxanes, paclitaxel and docetaxel; Tolerance of patients to the taxanes; Efficacy of the taxanes in the long-term survival of patients with cancer of unknown primary site.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy of adding vinorelbine to the paclitaxel/carboplatin combination in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced (stage IIIB/IV) non-small cell lung cancer who had received no previous chemotherapy were treated with the following three-drug regimen: paclitaxel, 200 mg/m2, 1-hour i.v. infusion, day 1; carboplatin, AUC 6.0 i.v., day 1; and vinorelbine, 22.5 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 and either 8 or 15. Treatment was repeated every 21 days. This phase II trial was conducted in a multicenter, community-based setting. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were treated with a median of four courses of therapy (range, one to eight). Thirty-one patients (35%) had major responses (two complete, 29 partial), and 36 patients (40%) had a minor response or stable disease. Actuarial median survival was 8.6 months; 1 year survival was 43%. Leukopenia was the major toxicity: 73% of patients had grade 3/4 toxicity, and 32 patients (36%) were hospitalized for neutropenia/fever (11% of total courses administered). Treatment-related death due to infection occurred in four patients (4%). CONCLUSIONS: This three-drug regimen is feasible and efficacious in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The addition of vinorelbine increases the incidence of severe leukopenia substantially when compared with the paclitaxel/carboplatin regimen. However, other toxicities are not markedly increased. Ongoing randomized trials will define the role of this regimen in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The number of living kidney donors with no preexisting relationship to the recipient has increased sharply. This study compared the psychosocial and functional outcomes of these altruistic donors to a stranger (ADs) with donors with a longstanding relationship with the recipient (traditional donors [TDs])., Methods: ADs (n=39) and TDs (n=52), who were similar on age, sex, and year of donation, were recruited from two transplant programs in the United States. Participants completed validated measures of psychosocial and functional outcomes a median of 5 years after donation (range, 1-12 years)., Results: ADs and TDs did not differ significantly in the total number of donation motives. Both were motivated by a desire to help, the benefits to the recipient outweighing the risks to the donor, a sense of moral duty, and imagining oneself in the position of the recipient. Psychological benefits were endorsed equally by both types of donors, although TDs reported higher Quid Pro Quo scores relative to ADs (P=0.04). ADs and TDs did not differ significantly on any of the Short Form-36, Version 2 scales (P values ranged from 0.19 to 0.85). Few donors (3 ADs and 1 TD) regretted their donation decision., Conclusion: Overall, findings indicate that carefully screened ADs experience psychosocial and functional outcomes comparable with those of TDs and should not be systematically excluded from the opportunity to donate.

Background: To stimulate organ donation, an organ procurement organization (OPO)-wide effort was undertaken to increase donors after cardiac death (DCD) over a 5-year period. This included commonality of protocols, pulsatile perfusion of kidneys, centralization of data and a regional allocation variance designed to minimize cold ischemia times and encourage adoption of DCD protocols at transplant centers., Results: In one OPO, eight centers initiated DCD programs in 11 hospitals. A total of 52 DCD donors were procured, increasing from four in 1999 to 21 in 2003. Eleven donors had care withdrawn in the operating room, whereas 41 had care withdrawn in the ICU. In all, 91 patients received renal transplants from these 52 donors (12 kidneys discarded, one double transplant), whereas 5 patients received liver transplants. One-, two-, and three-year kidney graft survival rates were 90%, 90%, and 82%, respectively. Fifty-five percent of patients needed at least one session of hemodialysis postoperatively. Mean recipient hospital length of stay was 11.1+/-6 days. Mean creatinine levels at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months were 1.65, 1.40, 1.41, and 1.40, respectively., Conclusions: DCD donors can be an important source of donor organs and provide excellent overall outcomes. Regional cooperation and a prospectively considered allocation and distribution system are important considerations in stimulating DCD programs.

We hypothesized that, following experimental small bowel transplantation, immunosuppressive therapy initiated on the day of the initial rise in serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) would result in graft salvage. In previously published work, we showed that I-FABP was not detectable in the serum of isografted Lewis rats, but could be measured in the peripheral circulation during small bowel allograft rejection. A clinically useful method to monitor trans- planted allografts for rejection should detect the problem early in its evolution so that treatment to reverse the process would salvage a functional organ. Lewis rats served as recipients of LBNF1 out-of-continuity small bowel allografts and were studied in two groups: group I (control) received no immunosuppression and group II received cyclosporine (CsA, 15 mg/kg/d, p.o.) when I-FABP rose to > or = 80 ng/ml. Serum I-FABP was measured daily until the time of sacrifice. Full-thickness graft biopsies were obtained on postoperative days 3 (baseline), 6 or 7 (elevated I-FABP), 10, and 14 (sacrifice). Following transplantation baseline serum I-FABP (day 2 or 3) averaged < or = 10.0 ng/ml. I-FABP remained at baseline through day 5 (range 0-50 ng/ml) in all animals and then rose abruptly on either day 6 or 7 (range 86-150 ng/ml; P < 0.001 vs. baseline). Histology on day 6 or 7 revealed a mild-to-moderate cellular rejection. Cyclosporine therapy reversed the rejection reaction and restored the bowel to normal histology. Serum I-FABP returned to baseline. In untreated animals, serum I-FABP remained elevated for several days and then returned to baseline levels coincident with fulminant rejection and mucosal sloughing. I-FABP was released into the peripheral circulation early in the evolution of acute rejection in this model of small bowel transplantation. Immunosuppressive therapy initiated when elevated levels of I-FABP were detected in the serum resulted in graft salvage. Cyclosporine immunotherapy consistently reversed rejection in this model. This article represents the first report of salvage of small bowel allografts when immunosuppressive therapy was instituted prospectively on the basis of a serum marker. Immunoreactive I-FABP appears to hold significant potential as a biochemical screening tool for acute rejection occurring In small bowell allografts.

Hyperextension of the cervical spine in the elderly can cause retropharyngeal hematomas. We report this unusual cause of retropharyngeal hematoma in a 77-year-old women. The airway must be thoroughly evaluated in any such patient in whom this lesion is suspected.

T cell tolerance to alloantigens can be induced in neonatal mice by the injection of semiallogeneic adult spleen cells. The thymus of neonatally injected mice rapidly becomes specifically unresponsive to the alloantigens expressed by the injected cells, even though the level of chimerism in the thymus of such mice is reportedly marginal compared with that of the periphery. In this report, we have studied the immune reactivity and degree of chimerism in the thymuses of 24 neonatally injected mice. In 13 older mice, the proliferative response of the thymocytes from individual mice to the injected alloantigen varied from strong reactivity to complete tolerance. Interestingly, analysis by flow microfluorometry of the same thymocytes for the presence of the inoculated alloantigen revealed an inverse correlation. That is, the thymuses which had a greater degree of chimerism were tolerant and those with fewer or no detectable cells were partially or totally reactive. The thymuses of 11 younger neonatally injected mice were invariably tolerant to both the MHC and Mls alloantigens of the F1 inocula. Analysis by flow microfluorometry of the thymocytes of these mice revealed that significant numbers of F1 cells reside in the thymuses of mice injected as neonates with semiallogeneic cells. These cells represent a possible source of specific tolerogen for thymocytes during their intrathymic differentiation.