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Ulceration or reulceration is a common complication following partial or total fifth ray amputations. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of reulceration following partial fifth ray amputations. This was a multicenter review of 117 consecutive limbs that underwent partial fifth ray amputations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centers. Procedures were performed at various levels along the fifth metatarsal. Incidence of postoperative ulceration was evaluated on the ipsilateral foot. We hypothesized there would be an association between location of resection and development of reulceration. Seventy-one of 117 patients (60.7%) experienced repeat ulceration following a partial fifth ray amputation. Median follow-up time was 19 months. There was no statistical difference based on location of amputation (proximal, middle, distal, isolated base) with regards to reulceration (p = .166), further amputation (p = .271), transmetatarsal amputation (p = .160), or below knee amputation (p = .769). There was statistical significance in the follow up time between study sites (p = .013), fifth ray amputation reoperation rate between study sites (p = .001), and reulceration rates between study sites (p = .017). Partial fifth ray amputations can be a good initial salvage procedure to clear infection and prolong bipedal ambulatory status. The results of the present study put forward that there is not an association between location of amputations of the fifth ray and development of reulceration, transfer lesions or more proximal amputations.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is considered to be an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to develop and evaluate a machine learning approach with a set of features for assessing the 10-year CVD mortality risk of the OSA population. METHODS: This study included 2,464 patients with OSA who met study inclusion criteria and were selected from the Sleep Heart Health Study. We evaluated the importance of potential features by mutual information. The top 9 features were selected to develop a random forest model. RESULTS: We evaluated the model performance on a test set (n = 493) using the area under the receiver operating curve with 95% confidence interval and confusion matrix. A random forest model awarded the highest area under the receiver operating curve of 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.78–0.89). The specificity and sensitivity were 73.94% and 81.82%, respectively. Sixty-three years old was a threshold for increased risk of 10-year CVD mortality. Persons with severe OSA had higher risk than those with mild OSA. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a random forest model can provide a quick assessment of the risk of 10-year CVD mortality. Our model may be more informative for patients with OSA in determining their future CVD mortality risk. CITATION: Li A, Roveda JM, Powers LS, Quan SF. Obstructive sleep apnea predicts 10-year cardiovascular disease–related mortality in the Sleep Heart Health Study: a machine learning approach. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(2):497–504.

Objective This study investigates sleep patterns of 4th- and 5th-grade students using actigraphy. Methods The study included 257 students enrolled in a Southwestern US school district who participated in a novel sleep science curriculum during the Spring 2016-17 and Fall 2017-18 semesters and met the study inclusion criteria. As part of this curriculum, participants underwent 5 to 7 days of continuous wrist actigraphy and completed an online sleep diary. Results Approximately two-thirds of the 9-11-year-old 4th- and 5th-grade students slept less than the minimum 9 hours per night recommended by both the American Academy of Sleep Medicine/Sleep Research Society and the National Sleep Foundation. The sleep midpoint time on weekends was about 1 hour later than on weekdays. There was a significant effect of age on sleep duration. Compared to 9-year old students, a larger proportion of 10-year old students had a sleep duration less than 8.5 hours. Boys had shorter sleep duration than girls, and a larger percentage of boys obtained less than 9 hours of sleep compared to girls. Conclusions Insufficient sleep is a highly prevalent condition among 9-11-year-old 4th- and 5th-grade elementary students. Importantly, there is a difference between sleep patterns on weekdays and weekends which may portend greater problems with sleep in adolescence and young adulthood.

Background:Infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease demonstrate wide fluctuations in hemoglobin (Hb), oxygen saturation, and cardiac output following palliation. Methemoglobin (Met-Hb), the product of Hb oxidation, may represent a compensatory mechanism during hypoxia and may be utilized as a biomarker.Methods:Arterial and venous Met-Hb levels were obtained from infants requiring palliation. The primary outcome was to describe the relationship between Met-Hb and other indices of tissue oxygenation (venous saturation, estimated arteriovenous oxygen difference [Est AV-Diff], and lactate). Secondary outcomes were to determine the impact of elevated Met-Hb levels ≥1.0% and the effect of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on Met-Hb levels.Results:Fifty infants and 465 Met-Hb values were studied. Venous Met-Hb levels were significantly higher than arterial levels (venous: 0.84% ± 0.36% vs arterial: 0.45% ± 0.18%; P < .001). Venous Met-Hb demonstrated a significant inverse relationship with venous oxygen saturation ( R = −0.6; P < .001) and Hb ( R = −0.3, P < .001) and a direct relationship with the Est AV-Diff ( R = 0.3, P < .001). A total of 129 (29.6%) venous Met-Hb values were elevated (≥1.0%) and were associated with significantly lower Hb and venous saturation levels and higher Est AV-Diff and lactate levels. Methemoglobin levels decreased significantly following 65 RBC transfusions (0.94 ± 0.40 vs 0.77 ± 0.34; P < .001). Linear mixed models demonstrated that higher venous Met-Hb levels were associated with lower measures of tissue oxygenation and not related to any preoperative clinical differences.Conclusion:Methemoglobin may be a clinically useful marker of tissue oxygenation in infants following surgical palliation.

Background Retrograde intramedullary nailing for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (TTCA) is used for severe hindfoot deformities, end-stage arthritis, and limb salvage. The procedure is technically demanding, with complications such as infection, hardware failure, nonunion, osteomyelitis, and possible limb loss or death. This study reports the outcomes and complications of patients undergoing TTCA with a femoral nail, which is widely available and offers an extensive range of lengths and diameters. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 104 patients who underwent 109 TTCAs using a femoral nail as the primary procedure (January 2006 through December 2016). Demographic data, risk factors, and outcomes were evaluated. Results At final follow-up, the overall clinical union rate was 89 of 109 (81.7%). Diabetes mellitus was negatively associated with limb salvage (P = .03), and peripheral neuropathy (P = .02) and Charcot's neuroarthropathy (P = .03) were negatively associated with clinical union. Only four patients (3.8%) underwent proximal amputation, at an average of 6.1 months, and 11 patients (10.6%) died, at a mean of 38.0 months. The most common complication was ulceration in 27 of 109 limbs (24.8%), followed by infection in 25 (22.9%). Twenty-three patients (22.1%) underwent revision procedures, at a mean of 9.4 months. Thirteen of these 23 patients (56.5%) had antibiotic cement rod spacers/rods for deep infection–related complications. Conclusions Use of a femoral nail has been shown to provide similar outcomes and limb salvage rates compared with other methods of TTCA reported for similar indications in the literature.

BACKGROUND: The United States continues to confront an opioid crisis that also affects older adults. Best practices for prescription opioid management in older adults are challenging to implement in this population. We present our experience with a 1-year management of 48 high-risk older patients who received guideline-based best practices for chronic prescription opioid therapy at a US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patient aligned care team (PACT) patient-centered medical home. METHODS: The GeriPACT population at the Nashville Campus of the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System has an enrollment of 745 patients of whom 48 (6.5%) receive chronic prescription opioid therapy. The practice is supported by the VA Computerized Patients Record System, including the electronic patient portal, My healtheVet, and telemedicine capabilities. Data were collected by chart review and operations data. RESULTS: The mean (range) age of patients was 70.4 (66–93) years. Many patients had comorbid conditions, such as diabetes mellitus (35%), congestive heart failure (18.6%), and dementia (8.3%). More than half had an estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) < 60 mL/min, indicating at least stage 3 chronic kidney disease, 41.7% used mental health services (41.7%), and 20.8% had a history of opioid use disorder. Most indications for chronic pain were for musculoskeletal pain (95.8%). The mean (range) morphine equivalent daily dose was 37 mg (10–109). More than half had been seen in the emergency department, and 20.8% had been hospitalized in the previous year for an opioid-related hospitalization, and 3% had expired. Over the year, dose reductions of benzodiazepines or narcotics was performed for 12.5% of patients, accidental overdoses occurred in 4.2%, and positive urine drug screens (UDSs) for cocaine and cannabinoid/tetrahydrocannabinol occurred in 10.4%. One patient was terminated from the program for multiple positive UDSs. CONCLUSIONS: Guideline-based patient-centered medical home management of patients with chronic pain who were treated with opioids can be an effective model contributing to the health and well-being of older patients. Complex older patients on chronic opioid treatment are best managed by an interdisciplinary team.

Background: Suboptimal care transitions increases the risk of adverse events resulting from poor care coordination among providers and healthcare facilities. The National Transition of Care Coalition recommends shifting the discharge paradigm from discharge from the hospital, to transfer with continuous management. The patient centered medical home is a promising model, which improves care coordination and may reduce hospital readmissions. Methods: This is a quality improvement report, the geriatric patient-aligned care team (GeriPACT) at Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) participated in ongoing quality improvement (Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA)) cycles during teamlet meetings. Post home discharge follow-up for GeriPACT patients was provided by proactive telehealth communication by the Registered Nurse (RN) care manager and nurse practitioner. Periodic operations data obtained from the Data and Statistical Services (DSS) coordinator informed the PDSA cycles and teamlet meetings. Results: at baseline (July 2018–June 2019) the 30-day all-cause readmission for GeriPACT was 21%. From July to December 2019, 30-day all-cause readmissions were 13%. From January to June 2020, 30-day all-cause readmissions were 15%. Conclusion: PDSA cycles with sharing of operations data during GeriPACT teamlet meetings and fostering a shared responsibility for managing high-risk patients contributes to improved outcomes in 30-day all-cause readmissions.

Limb salvage for Charcot's neuroarthropathy has been shown to have high complication and failure rates. The aim of our report of two cases it to present a unique complication encountered with staged limb salvage for Charcot's neuroarthropathy. In two cases, patients developed delayed tibial shaft fracture associated with previous wire placement despite insertion of locked intramedullary nail fixation that spanned the delayed fracture. Both patients experienced fractures following advancement of weight after definitive fixation. In both patients, there was noted complication with the sites of the pins and revision of external fixation before fracture. In each case, the fracture was within the construct of the intramedullary fixation and successfully treated with an extended course of nonweightbearing. Complications of external fixation and intramedullary fixation are well reported within the literature; however, tibia fracture is rare. Based on these cases, it would seem prudent to recognize the risk of delayed pin-site complications and ensure adequate length of intramedullary fixation to span the potential areas of stress.

Background Perianal fistulas (PAF) are a frequent complication of Crohn’s disease (CD) associated with substantial morbidity. Population-based studies with CD are lacking, in part due to the difficulty in identifying these patients from health administrative databases. Aims To determine if administrative claims and diagnostic codes can reliably identify patients with perianal fistulas in a cohort of patients with CD. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), which was linked to The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) Ontario Crohn’s and Colitis Cohort (OCCC) data using Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) numbers. Patients admitted with CD from 1 Jan 2009 to 31 Dec 2016 were identified from TOH data warehouse using the ICD-10 code K50.x. Confirmation of CD diagnosis and determination of the presence or absence of PAF was achieved by a longitudinal, manual chart review. Patients with and without PAF were abstracted in a 1:2 ratio to serve as a reference gold standard for PAF status. ICES captures all publicly reimbursed diagnostic tests, interventional procedures and physician billing codes, including MRI pelvis utilization and surgical procedures associated with perianal fistulas in Ontario. Sixteen case definitions for PAF in ICES were specified a priori. Two by two contingency tables were constructed to assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predicative value (NPV) of each case definition against the gold standard PAF status as determined by TOH data. Youden’s index and Kappa were used to select a case definition that best identified TOH PAF patients. Results: A total of 136 patients with active PAF and 351 without PAF were included in the linked analysis. There were a similar proportion of male patients with and without PAF (49% vs. 43%). Patients with PAF were slightly younger; 69% were aged 18–44 compared to 58% of patients without PAF. Sensitivity of the case definitions ranged from 0.44 to 0.98, and specificity from 0.45 to 1.00. A case definition that combined at least two of fistula diagnosis code, perianal surgical procedures associated with fistulas, and radiologic imaging codes of the pelvis, all within 2 years, had the best performance using Youden’s index and Kappa. It discriminated between patients with or without PAF with sensitivity of 0.80 and specificity of 0.92. Conclusions Using a cohort of CD patients from a single tertiary care center we derived a case definition that could accurately distinguish CD patients with and without PAF in a provincial health administrative database. Once validated this will allow for future population-based studies to assess trends in PAF. Funding Agencies Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) anion channel cause CF. The leading cause of death in the CF population is lung disease. Increasing evidence suggests that in utero airway development is CFTR-dependent and that developmental abnormalities may contribute to CF lung disease. However, relatively little is known about postnatal CF airway growth, largely because such studies are limited in humans. Therefore, we examined airway growth and lung volume in a porcine model of CF. We hypothesized that CF pigs would have abnormal postnatal airway growth. To test this hypothesis, we performed CT-based airway and lung volume measurements in 3-wk-old non-CF and CF pigs. We found that 3-wk-old CF pigs had tracheas of reduced caliber and irregular shape. Their bronchial lumens were reduced in size proximally but not distally, were irregularly shaped, and had reduced distensibility. Our data suggest that lack of CFTR results in aberrant postnatal airway growth and development, which could contribute to CF lung disease pathogenesis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This CT scan-based study of airway morphometry in the cystic fibrosis (CF) postnatal period is unique, as analogous studies in humans are greatly limited for ethical and technical reasons. Findings such as reduced airway lumen area and irregular caliber suggest that airway growth and development are CF transmembrane conductance regulator-dependent and that airway growth defects may contribute to CF lung disease pathogenesis.

Gel-forming mucins, the primary macromolecular components of airway mucus, facilitate airway clearance by mucociliary transport. In cystic fibrosis (CF) altered mucus properties impair mucociliary transport. Airways primarily secrete two closely related gel-forming mucins, MUC5B and MUC5AC. However, their morphologic structures and associations in airways that contain abundant submucosal glands and goblet cells are uncertain. Moreover, there is limited knowledge about mucins in airways not affected by inflammation, infection, or remodeling or in CF airways. Therefore, we examined airways freshly excised from newborn non-CF pigs and CF pigs before secondary manifestations develop. We found that porcine submucosal glands produce MUC5B, whereas goblet cells produce predominantly MUC5AC plus some MUC5B. We found that MUC5B emerged from submucosal gland ducts in the form of strands composed of multiple MUC5B filaments. In contrast, MUC5AC emerged from goblet cells as wispy threads and sometimes formed mucin sheets. In addition, MUC5AC often partially coated the MUC5B strands. Compared with non-CF, MUC5B more often filled CF submucosal gland ducts. MUC5AC sheets also accumulated in CF airways overlying MUC5B strands. These results reveal distinct morphology and interactions for MUC5B and MUC5AC and suggest that the two mucins make distinct contributions to mucociliary transport. Thus, they provide a framework for understanding abnormalities in disease.

This study examined the prevalence of reported suicide attempts among family members of individuals with an eating disorder (ED). 1870 individuals presenting for ED treatment reported whether their family members ever made a suicide attempt using the Eating Disorders Questionnaire. A lifetime suicide attempt by any family member was reported by 10.8% (n = 202) of the sample and ranged from 7.0% of those with eating disorder not otherwise specified to 16.1% of those with purging disorder. Controlling for age and gender, individuals with bulimia nervosa had a higher prevalence of any familial suicide attempt and mother suicide attempt than individuals with EDNOS; no other differences were observed across ED diagnoses. There were no differences in prevalence of reported suicide attempts made by fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, or aunts by ED diagnosis. Findings support a growing literature indicating a familial association between EDs and suicide risk.

I am delighted to edit this Special Issue of Geriatrics focusing on Geriatric Care Models. [...]

Comprehensive geriatric assessment, defined as an interdisciplinary assessment and development of an overall plan of treatment and follow-up, has become a fundamental part of clinical geriatric care. Since the 1970s, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has encouraged the development of geriatric evaluation and management programs. Evolution of geriatric evaluation and management has occurred over time and many VA medical centers have transferred inpatient geriatric evaluation programs to long-term care Community Living Centers, home, and outpatient settings. Availability of geriatric resources and trained personnel across the continuum of care as well as administrative collaboration between care components are critical to the successful implementation of geriatric services. Facilities may need to prioritize their resources and utilize the most effective and relevant elements of geriatric evaluation and management according to patient population needs, available space, resources, and institutional priorities. New risk assessment tools derived from the VA&rsquo, s experience in geriatric evaluation may be useful for targeting services for other high-risk populations.

Retrograde intramedullary nails are often used for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis to correct severe hindfoot deformities in high-risk patient populations. The purposes of the current study are to report outcomes of patients undergoing staged management of infection after intramedullary nail fixation for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis and to review the surgical approach to management of this limb-threatening complication. The authors reviewed patients who underwent hindfoot intramedullary nailing with subsequent revision for infection between January 2006 and December 2016. Staged protocol with antibiotic nail for the management of deep infection was used in 19 patients. The mean follow-up was 115.87 ± 92.80 (range 2.29 to 341.86) weeks. Twelve of the patients had diabetes, 10 had Charcot neuroarthropathy, and 7 had arthrodesis for equinovarus deformity. Sixteen had peripheral neuropathy and 13 had history of ulceration on the operated extremity. Limb salvage with the use of this protocol was achieved in 14 (73.68%) of 19 patients. Five (26.32%) patients had proximal amputation with 3 (15.79%) deaths within the follow-up period. Amputation was more likely in the nonsmoking (p = .01) and insulin-dependent (odds ratio = 22, p = .02) patient cohorts, whereas death was associated only with higher body mass index (p = .03). Time to revision was greater in patients with external bracing postoperatively as well (p = .004). Outcomes, including total number of procedures and retained antibiotic rods, were not associated with any of the preoperative variables or indications. In high-risk patient populations, the presented staged management of infected intramedullary hindfoot nails showed promising outcomes for limb preservation.

AN ESTIMATED 8.5 % of Americans suffer from alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in the United States. Estimated costs associated with AUDs exceed $223 billion and approximately 79,000 lives, with approximately 2.3 million years of potential life lost annually (Harwood, 2013). Because the burden of AUDs on society is so great, elucidating the mechanisms involved in the disease progression is critical. More specifically, identifying neurochemical systems involved in alcohol-related behaviors could pave the way for therapeutic targets that will ultimately reduce the burden of AUDs on society. One such system, the endocannabinoid system (ECS), has gained attention in recent years because it appears to play an important role in a variety of neuropsy-chiatric conditions (Abood and Martin, 1992; Hirst et al., 1998; Navarro and Rodriguez de Fonseca, 1998), including AUDs (see reviews by Justinova et al., 2009; Maldonado et al., 2006). The ECS consists of 2 known receptor subtypes (cannabinoid receptor 1 [CB1R] and CB2R), 2 main endogenous ligands that act on these receptors (anandamide [AEA] and 2-arachidonoylglycerol [2-AG]), and the enzymes responsible for endocannabinoid degradation (monoacylglycerol lipase and fatty acid amide hydrolase). CB1R is highly expressed in brain reward circuitry and can regulate the excitatory and inhibitory inputs to the dopaminergic neurons of the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway (see review by Gardner, 2005). CB2Rs are found in a number of tissue and cell types in the periphery, including spleen, tonsils, and immune cells such as microphages and T cells. In the central nervous system, CB2Rs are expressed on neurons and activated microglia (Cabral et al., 2008; Garcia-Gutierrez et al., 2010; Onaivi, 2006). While there is still ongoing debate as to the localization of CB2R in the brain, there is evidence for expression in the caudate putamen, cingulate cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, arcuate nucleus, thalamus, substantia nigra, dorsal raphe nucleus, medial raphe nucleus, ventral tegmental area (VTA), and the nucleus accumbens (NAc) (Garcia-Gutierrez et al., 2010; Onaivi, 2006). The presence of CB2R in reward-related brain areas (i.e., NAc and VTA) suggests the possible involvement of this receptor in drug reward-related behaviors. Both alcohol and activation of CB1R increase dopamine (DA) levels in the NAc, and cannabinoids (both endogenous and exogenous) can enhance the firing of dopaminergic neurons (Diana et al., 1998; French, 1997; French et al., 1997; Gessa et al., 1998; Hungund et al., 2003). Activation of CB2R has been shown to reduce cocaine-induced extracellular DA release and stimulated locomotor behavior (Xi et al., 2011), as well as reduce VTA DA neuronal firing (Zhang et al., 2014). These data, together with the observed localization of CB2Rs in the VTA, suggest that CB2Rs modulate drug reward-related behaviors. Behavioral evidence further supports a role for CB2R in drug reward-related behaviors. Pharmacological activation of CB2Rs with JWH-133 dose-dependently reduced cocaine self-administration in wild-type (WT) and CB1R knockout (KO) mice, but not in CB2R KO mice (Xi et al., 2011). Similarly, transgenic mice that overexpress CB2Rs self-administered less cocaine than WT controls (Aracil-Fernandez et al., 2012). CB2R KO mice showed reduced nicotine reward-related behaviors (Ignatowska-Jankowska et al., 2013; Navarrete et al., 2013) and pharmacological blockade of CB2Rs with SR144528 reduced nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in C57BL/6 mice (Ignatowska-Jankowska et al., 2013). Relevant to the current study with alcohol, Onaivi and colleagues (2008) showed reduced CB2R gene expression in the ventral midbrain region of inbred mice that developed a preference for alcohol compared to inbred mice that did not. In addition, chronic treatment with a CB2R agonist and a CB2R antagonist enhanced and reduced alcohol consumption, respectively, in stressed but not control inbred mice (Ishiguro et al., 2007; Onaivi et al., 2008). CB2R KO mice consumed more alcohol in an unlimited-access 2-bottle choice study and developed more robust alcohol-induced CPP compared to WT littermate controls (Ortega-Alvaro et al., 2015). Also, CB2R activation, via the agonist β caryophyllene, reduced sensitivity to alcohol-induced sedation, alcohol intake, and alcohol-induced CPP in C57BL/6 mice (Al Mansouri et al., 2014). These findings are compelling and suggest that modulation of CB2Rs affects alcohol reward-related behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of CB2R in modulating alcohol reward-related behaviors in 2 genetic mouse models and using 2 well-established models of alcohol reward: home cage limited-access 2-bottle choice alcohol drinking and alcohol-induced CPP. First, we pharmacologically assessed CB2R involvement in alcohol reward-related behaviors in selectively bred high-alcohol-preferring (HAP2) mice. Evidence suggests that genetic alterations in the ECS, including CB1R, may influence alcohol-related behaviors in rodents (e.g., Cippitelli et al., 2005; Hansson et al., 2007; Hungund and Basavarajappa, 2000). The HAP2 mouse line is a relevant model when studying genetically influenced mechanisms of AUDs in humans. We previously showed that HAP2 mice were more sensitive to pharmacological ECS manipulation compared to their low-alcohol-preferring counterparts (Powers et al., 2010), suggesting that genetic propensity toward high alcohol preference is associated with changes in ECS function. Second, we used mice with genetic deletion of CB2R (CB2R KO) to replicate the findings of Ortega-Alvaro and colleagues (2015) and to compare pharmacological versus genetic approaches in the study of the role of CB2R in alcohol reward-related behaviors. We hypothesized that pharmacological blockade and genetic deletion of CB2Rs would increase alcohol drinking and increase the expression of alcohol-induced CPP based on findings of Ortega-Alvaro and colleagues (2015), who showed that CB2R KO mice developed an alcohol-induced CPP, while WT controls did not.

Objective The major aim of this study was to investigate any association between binge eating and purging and alcohol and substance use. Method The Eating Disorder Questionnaire was completed by 2966 patients. Each patient was assigned to an approximate diagnostic group based on a DSM-5-based algorithm. Results Patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) used alcohol/other substances with higher frequencies compared to patients with anorexia nervosa-restricting type (AN-R), binge eating disorder (BED), and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS; p

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a residential treatment program for adults and adolescents with eating disorders across a wide spectrum of measures. Data on body mass, eating disorder severity, depression, anxiety, and two measures of quality of life were collected on 139 consecutively admitted adolescents and 111 adults at a residential treatment program (N = 250). The same measures were completed at post-treatment. Group level analyses showed that adults and adolescents improved on all measures analyzed. Only 1.7% of adolescents and 2.3% of adults were below a Body Mass Index of 18.5 at discharge. Positive results across diagnoses and ages are reported for three subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3, with clinical response rates reported. Using clinical responder analyses, it was found that for all individuals struggling with secondary issues, 74.7% were responders on the Beck Depression Inventory-II, 41.0% on the Beck Anxiety Inventory, 63.5% on a measure of quality of life, and 95.8% were responders on the physical subscale and 72.6% on the mental subscale of the SF-36-v2. This study suggests that residential treatment for eating disorders is effective at the group level, and it was effective for the majority of individuals within the group.

1. Karen S. Powers, MD, FCCM* 1. *Pediatric Critical Care, Golisano Children’s Hospital, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY. Clinicians need to recognize the signs and symptoms of dehydration to safely restore fluid and electrolytes. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Understand that the signs and symptoms of dehydration are related to changes in extracellular fluid volume. 2. Recognize the different clinical and laboratory abnormalities in isonatremic, hyponatremic, and hypernatremic dehydration. 3. Know how to manage isonatremic dehydration. 4. Know how to manage hyponatremic dehydration. 5. Know how to manage hypernatremic dehydration. 6. Recognize how to avoid as well as treat complications of fluid and sodium repletion. 7. Understand which patients are candidates for oral rehydration. 8. Know the proper fluids and methods for oral rehydration. Dehydration is one of the leading causes of pediatric morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Diarrheal disease and dehydration account for 14% to 30% of worldwide deaths among infants and toddlers. (1) In the United States, as recently as 2003, gastroenteritis was the source for more than 1.5 million office visits, 200,000 hospitalizations, and 300 deaths per year. The rotavirus vaccine has significantly decreased the incidence of rotaviral gastroenteritis, and now norovirus is the leading cause in the United States. Water, which is essential for cellular homeostasis, comprises about 75% of body weight in infants and up to 60% in adolescents and adults. Without water intake, humans would die within a few days. (2) The human body has an efficient mechanism of physiologic controls to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, including thirst. These mechanisms can be overwhelmed in disease states such as gastroenteritis because of rapid fluid and electrolyte losses, leading to dysnatremia, which is the most common electrolyte abnormality in hospitalized patients. (3) Infants and young children are …

Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) provide primary care to veterans. We describe our experience in a PACT (average age 66, 98% men, 8 medications, 16% yearly hospitalization rate) using a nurse-administered screen to identify patients in need of intervention by a Masters-level Social Worker. Our screening results--98% Positive predictive value (included social work concerns) and 73% negative predictive value (excluded social work concerns)--suggest that the nurse accurately identified patients. Another 15% of patients were identified by the social worker. Similar screens used in interprofessional clinics could help target patients in need of further social work care.

Author(s): Cook, Brian J; Steffen, Kristine J; Mitchell, James E; Otto, Maxwell; Crosby, Ross D; Cao, Li; Wonderlich, Stephen A; Crow, Scott; Hill, Laura; Le Grange, Daniel; Powers, Pauline | Abstract: ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate diagnostic differences in weight suppression (e.g., the difference between one's current body weight and highest non-pregnancy adult body weight) and exercise among Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Because exercise may be a key contributor to weight suppression in BN, we were interested in examining the potential moderating effect of exercise on weight suppression in BN or BED.MethodParticipants with BN (n = 774) and BED (n = 285) completed self-report surveys of weight history, exercise and eating disorder symptoms. Generalised linear model analyses were used to examine the associations among diagnosis, exercise frequency and their interaction on weight suppression.ResultsExercise frequency and BN/BED diagnosis were both associated with weight suppression. Additionally, exercise frequency moderated the relationship between diagnosis and weight suppression. Specifically, weight suppression was higher in BN than in BED among those with low exercise frequency but comparable in BN and BED among those with high exercise frequency.DiscussionOur results suggest that exercise frequency may contribute to different weight suppression outcomes among BN and BED. This may inform clinical implications of exercise in these disorders. Specifically, much understanding of the differences among exercise frequency and the compensatory use of exercise in BN and BED is needed.

EQUiPPED is a multicomponent quality improvement initiative combining education, electronic clinical decision support, and individual provider feedback to influence prescribing and improve medication safety for older adults. The objective here was to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of EQUiPPED to reduce the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), as defined by the American Geriatrics Society 2012 Beers Criteria, prescribed to older Veterans at the time of emergency department (ED) discharge. This evaluation represents a pre- and post-intervention comparison of PIM prescriptions at 4 urban Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center EDs. Poisson regression was used to compare the number of PIMs prescribed to Veterans 65 years or older discharged from the ED for at least 6 months prior to the first EQUiPPED intervention at each site and for at least 12 months following the final EQUiPPED intervention. The implementation timeline varied by site depending on local resources. All 4 sites showed a significant and sustained reduction in use of PIMs. The proportion of PIMs at site one decreased from 11.9% (SD 1.8) pre-EQUiPPED to 5.1% (SD 1.4) post-EQUiPPED (P < .0001); site 2 from 8.2% (SD 0.8) pre to 4.5% (SD 1.0) post (P < .0001); site 3 from 8.9% (SD 1.9) pre to 6.1% (SD 1.7) post (P = .0007); and site 4 from 7.4% (SD 1.7) pre to 5.7% (SD 0.8) post (P = .04). These results suggest a multicomponent program to influence provider prescribing behavior leads to safer prescribing for older adults discharged from the ED and is sustainable across multiple VA ED sites.

Objectives Impaired arousal signifies underlying brain dysfunction, but its clinical significance outside the intensive care unit remains unclear. We sought to determine if impaired arousal at initial presentation was associated with higher 6-month mortality and if this relationship existed in the absence of delirium.

Older adults often face challenges as they transition out of the acute care hospital, especially with regard to adhering to their medications. In this narrative review, we discuss medication adherence in older adults across the continuum of care, describing reasons for nonadherence, methods to assess adherence and tools to improve adherence, with particular focus on emerging techniques and technologies. Taking steps at care transitions to assess medications and foster adherence to the medication regimen can increase the safety of older adults following hospitalization.

Pre-pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (PPI) is a measure of sensorimotor gating frequently used to assess information processing in both humans and rodents. Both alcohol and stress exposure can modulate PPI, making it possible to assess how stress and alcohol interact to influence information processing. Humans with an increased genetic risk for alcoholism are more reactive to stressful situations compared to those without a family history, and alcohol may have stress-dampening effects for those with high genetic risk. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of stress, acute alcohol exposure, or both on PPI in male and female mice selectively bred for high- (HAP2) and low- (LAP2) alcohol preference. Experiment 1 assessed the effects of various doses of acute alcohol on PPI. Experiments 2 and 3 assessed the effect of 10 days of restraint stress on subsequent PPI tested at 30 min (Experiment 2) or 24 h (Experiment 3) following the termination of stress exposure. Experiment 3 also examined the effects of acute alcohol treatment (0.75 g/kg) on PPI in mice previously exposed to stress or no stress. Results indicate that 0.75 and 1.0 g/kg doses of alcohol increased PPI in HAP2 but not LAP2 mice. When PPI was tested 30 min after stress exposure, stressed HAP2 mice showed a trend toward decreased PPI and stressed LAP2 mice showed a trend toward increased PPI. The combination of stress and alcohol treatment did not alter PPI in either line 24 h following the termination of stress exposure, suggesting that alcohol does not ameliorate the effect of stress on PPI. Stressed LAP2 mice had increased basal circulating corticosterone on the final stress exposure day compared to non-stressed LAP2 mice, and no difference was found between stressed and non-stressed HAP2 mice. The results suggest that high genetic risk for alcoholism may be related to increased sensitivity to alcohol and stress effects on PPI, and this sensitivity could signify an endophenotype for increased genetic risk to develop alcoholism.

Geriatric syndromes and polypharmacy are common in older patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and increase 30-day readmission risk. In a U.S.A. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-funded Quality Improvement study to improve care transitions from the VA hospital to area SNFs, Veterans (N = 134) were assessed for geriatric syndromes using standardized instruments as well as polypharmacy, defined as five or more medications. Warm handoffs were used to facilitate the transfer of this information. This paper describes the prevalence of geriatric syndromes, polypharmacy, and readmission rates. Veterans were prescribed an average of 14.7 medications at hospital discharge. Moreover, 75% of Veterans had more than two geriatric syndromes, some of which began during hospitalization. While this effort did not reduce 30-day readmissions, the high prevalence of geriatric syndromes and polypharmacy suggests that future efforts targeting these issues may be necessary to reduce readmissions among Veterans discharged to SNF.

Objective Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an emerging area of research in eating disorders (EDs) that has not been examined in adolescents in detail. The aim of the current study is to investigate HRQoL in an adolescent ED sample, examining the impact of ED symptoms on HRQoL. Methods Sixty-seven treatment-seeking adolescents (57 females) with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), or eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) completed self-report measures of HRQoL and ED symptoms. Results Participants reported poorer HRQoL in mental health domains than in physical health domains. Disordered attitudes, binge eating, and compensatory behaviors were associated with poorer mental health HRQoL, and body dissatisfaction was associated with poorer physical health HRQoL. Conclusion The current study assessed HRQoL among adolescents with EDs, finding several consistencies with the literature on adults with EDs. Future research should compare adolescents and adults with EDs on HRQoL.

This guideline watch reviews new evidence and highlights salient developments since the 2006 publication of APA’s Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Eating Disorders, 3rd Edition. The authors of this watch constituted the work group that developed the 2006 guideline. We find the guideline to remain substantially correct and current in its recommendations. The sole exception is a recommendation (with moderate-level confidence) for sibutramine for binge-eating disorder. In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdrew approval for sibutramine because clinical trials showed increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and the manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories, subsequently withdrew this medication from the U.S. market. Noteworthy recent publications about the treatment of eating disorders include systematic reviews by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (Berkman et al. 2006; Bulik et al. 2007); practice guidelines from international groups, including the Catalan Agency for Health Information, Assessment and Quality (Working Group of the Clinical Practice Guideline for Eating Disorders 2009), the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (Aigner et al. 2011), and the German Society of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy and the German College for Psychosomatic Medicine (Herpertz et al. 2011); and a 2011 guidance statement by the Academy for Eating Disorders, which was written by some of the authors of this

Background and objectives The purpose of this study was to use qualitative methods to explore nursing home staff perceptions of antipsychotic medication use and identify both benefits and barriers to reducing inappropriate use from their perspective. Research design and methods Focus groups were conducted with a total of 29 staff in three community nursing homes that served both short and long-stay resident populations. Results The majority (69%) of the staff participants were licensed nurses. Participants expressed many potential benefits of antipsychotic medication reduction with four primary themes: (a) Improvement in quality of life, (b) Improvement in family satisfaction, (c) Reduction in falls, and (d) Improvement in the facility Quality Indicator score (regulatory compliance). Participants also highlighted important barriers they face when attempting to reduce or withdraw antipsychotic medications including: (a) Family resistance, (b) Potential for worsening or return of symptoms or behaviors, (c) Lack of effectiveness and/or lack of staff resources to consistently implement nonpharmacological management strategies, and (d) Risk aversion of staff and environmental safety concerns. Discussion and implications Nursing home staff recognize the value of reducing antipsychotic medications; however, they also experience multiple barriers to reduction in routine clinical practice. Achievement of further reductions in antipsychotic medication use will require significant additional efforts and adequate clinical personnel to address these barriers.

The provision of lucrative, procedure-based specialty care has influenced the care delivery model and business plan for medical care in the United States for many decades. Conversely there has been less emphasis on Geriatrics and Primary Care. Graduate Medical Education likewise has provided little support for the development of geriatrics training. Universities as well as the commercial sector have to respond to the financial realities accompanying a change to value-based purchasing in healthcare. Universities are reluctant to change old business models, however there is great opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in hospital medicine and administration in applying geriatric principles to advance the delivery of medical care as well as medical education. Graduate medical education will be held accountable for outcomes demand by the public. A revitalized team-based primary care could help reverse the trend towards specialization among medical graduates and increase the appeal of primary care practice to generations of physicians, adding to enhanced access and quality of care for patients.

The Veterans Administration has had a large and credible influence on the development of Geriatrics as a field in the United States. Generally within the Veterans Health Administration, service needs align with the finances and program delivery to meet performance objectives and accountability within a single payer system. Responding to accountability to the public following a 2014 failure to provide access to primary care, contributed to by falsified reports and a flawed incentive system, a large portion of VA leadership was replaced and given new quality performance metrics: SAIL, the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning Value Model. Many VA hospitals achieved remarkably low ratings, and new managers have been put on notice to improve quality through value-based healthcare transformation. These managers are listening to potential Geriatric care models which help them achieve these objectives.

Older adults are at high risk for prolonged hospital stays, complications during the hospitalization, and early readmission. All health systems are under pressure to utilize hospital resources as efficiently as possible. Geriatric consultation and geriatrics units may be part of the future fabric of more hospitals caring for patients with delayed discharges and complex care needs. Improvement of functional status, begun early during the hospital stay and supported throughout the hospitalization, can improve outcomes without jeopardizing overall hospital length of stay or increased cost.

Because the hospital is the major component of a healthcare system and provides the most expensive services, it is natural to focus on acute care. However neglecting other elements of care across the patient care continuum puts performance objectives at risk, harms the patient experience of care, and increases cost. Value-based purchasing has forced administrators to consider cost avoidance as an important and critical part of the business plan. CMS is clear that performance objectives for hospitals include adhering to performance objectives. These mandates constitute very important levers. It remains to be seen how healthcare systems will responded to new inpatient and outpatient quality reporting metrics with heavy financial penalties for noncompliance.

Clinicopathological features of breast cancer have limited accuracy to predict survival. By immunohistochemistry (IHC), keratin 17 (K17) expression has been correlated with triple-negative status (estrogen receptor [ER]/progesterone receptor/human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 [HER2] negative) and decreased survival, but K17 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression has not been evaluated in breast cancer. K17 is a potential prognostic cancer biomarker, targeting p27, and driving cell cycle progression. This study compared K17 protein and mRNA expression to ER/progesterone receptor/HER2 receptor status and event-free survival. K17 IHC was performed on 164 invasive breast cancers and K17 mRNA was evaluated in 1097 breast cancers. The mRNA status of other keratins (16/14/9) was evaluated in 113 ER-/HER2- ductal carcinomas. IHC demonstrated intense cytoplasmic and membranous K17 localization in myoepithelial cells of benign ducts and lobules and tumor cells of ductal carcinoma in situ. In ductal carcinomas, K17 protein was detected in most triple-negative tumors (28/34, 82%), some non-triple-negative tumors (52/112, 46%), but never in lobular carcinomas (0/15). In ductal carcinomas, high K17 mRNA was associated with reduced 5-year event-free survival in advanced tumor stage (n = 149, hazard ratio [HR] = 3.68, P = .018), and large (n = 73, HR = 3.95, P = .047), triple-negative (n = 103, HR = 2.73, P = .073), and ER-/HER2- (n = 113, HR = 2.99, P = .049) tumors. There were significant correlations among keratins 17, 16, 14, and 9 mRNA levels suggesting these keratins (all encoded on chromosome 17) could be coordinately expressed in breast cancer. Thus, K17 is expressed in a subset of triple-negative breast cancers, and is a marker of poor prognosis in patients with advanced stage and ER-/HER2- breast cancer.

Quality problem or issue Clinical decision support (CDS) may improve prescribing for older adults in the Emergency Department (ED) if adopted by providers. Initial assessment Existing prescribing order entry processes were mapped at an initial Veterans Administration Medical Center site, demonstrating cognitive burden, effort and safety concerns. Choice of solution Geriatric order sets incorporating 2012 Beers guidelines and including geriatric prescribing advice and prepopulated order options were developed. Implementation Geriatric order sets were implemented at two sites as part of the multicomponent ‘Enhancing Quality of Prescribing Practices for Older Veterans Discharged from the Emergency Department’ quality improvement initiative. Evaluation Facilitators and barriers to order sets use at the two sites were evaluated. Phone interviews were conducted with two provider groups ( n = 20), those ‘EQUiPPED’ with the interventions ( n = 10, 5 at each site) and Comparison providers who were only exposed to order sets through a clickable option on the ED order menu within the patient's medical record ( n = 10, 5 at each site). All providers were asked about order set ‘use’ and ‘usefulness’. Users ( n = 11) were asked about ‘usability’. Lessons learned Order set adopters described ‘usefulness’ in terms of ‘safety’ and ‘efficiency’, whereas order set consultants and order set non-users described ‘usefulness’ in terms of ‘information’ or ‘training’. Provider ‘autonomy’, ‘comfort’ level with existing tools, and ‘learning curve’ were stated as barriers to use. Conclusions Quantifying efficiency advantages and communicating safety benefit over preexisting practices and tools may improve adoption of CDS in ED and in other settings of care.

As the proportion of older adult patients who interface with the health care system grows, clinical pharmacy specialists (CPS) have a pivotal role in reducing potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in this population.To (a) describe CPS involvement in the design and implementation of a quality improvement (QI) initiative to decrease PIM prescribing in a Veterans Affairs (VA) emergency department (ED) and (b) report on changes in PIM prescribing before and after the initiative.Enhancing Quality of Prescribing Practices for Veterans Discharged from the Emergency Department (EQUiPPED) is an ongoing multisite QI project that aims to decrease ED PIM prescribing. We used a mixed-method approach that applied qualitative and quantitative measures in describing the CPS role and evaluating PIM rates. PIMs were defined using the 2012 Beers Criteria. We reported monthly PIM rates in patients aged 65 years and older who were discharged from the ED from January 2012 to November 2014. A piecewise, nonlinear regression model evaluated the pattern in PIM prescriptions over time.At the Durham, North Carolina, VA Medical Center, a total of 4 CPS were involved with tailoring the design and implementation of the EQUiPPED intervention for local use. CPS input led to 3 key innovations: academic detailing performed by a physician-CPS pair, medication alert messages identifying medications as PIMs in the computerized patient record system, and automated reports describing the frequency and type of PIMs prescribed by each ED provider. Between February 2013 and November 2014, 73 ED providers received the academic detailing. The ED facility experienced a relative reduction of 47.5% in the rate of PIM prescribing over the observation period.This QI project resulted in a meaningful decrease in PIM prescribing in older ED adults. CPS contributions to QI can extend beyond pharmacotherapy and provider education to also include information technology tools using formulary management expertise.

Background The optimal hemoglobin for infants after cardiac operation is unknown. Red blood cells (RBCs) are commonly transfused to maintain high hemoglobin concentrations in the absence of a clinical indication. We hypothesized that infants can be managed with a postoperative conservative RBC transfusion strategy, resulting in lower daily hemoglobin concentrations, without evidence of impaired oxygen delivery (ie, lactate, arteriovenous oxygen difference [avO 2 diff]), or adverse clinical outcomes. Methods Infants weighing 10 kg or less undergoing biventricular repair or palliative (nonseptated) operation were randomly assigned to either a postoperative conservative or liberal transfusion strategy. Conservative group strategy was RBC transfusion for a hemoglobin less than 7.0 g/dL for biventricular repairs or less than 9.0 g/dL for palliative procedures plus a clinical indication. Liberal group strategy was RBC transfusion for hemoglobin less than 9.5 g/dL for biventricular repairs or less than 12 g/dL for palliative procedures regardless of clinical indication. Results After the operation of 162 infants (82 conservative [53 biventricular, 29 palliative], 80 liberal [52 biventricular, 28 palliative]), including 12 Norwood procedures (6 conservative, 6 liberal), daily hemoglobin concentrations were significantly lower within the conservative group than the liberal group by postoperative day 1 and remained lower for more than 10 days. The percentage of patients requiring a RBC transfusion, number of transfusions, and volume of transfusions were all significantly lower within the conservative group. Despite lower hemoglobin concentrations within the conservative group, lactate, avO 2 diff, and clinical outcomes were similar. Conclusions Infants undergoing cardiac operation can be managed with a conservative RBC transfusion strategy. Clinical indications should help guide the decision for RBC transfusion even in this uniquely vulnerable population. Larger multicenter trials are needed to confirm these results, and focus on the highest risk patients would be of great interest.

Objective The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether narrowing the criteria of anorexia nervosa (AN) subtypes among adults based on further delineations of current binge eating and purging (i.e., binge eating only, purging only, binge eating and purging, and restricting only) improves the potential clinical utility of the current DSM-5 system that specifies two types (i.e., current binge eating and/or purging and restricting, specified as the absence of current binge eating and/or purging). Method Self-reported eating disorder and psychiatric symptoms based on the Eating Disorder Questionnaire were examined in 347 adults from a multisite clinical sample who met DSM-IV criteria for AN. Classification based on binge eating and purging symptoms yielded the following subtypes: 118 restricting only (AN-R; no current binge eating or purging); 133 binge eating and purging (AN-B & P; current binge eating and purging); 43 binge eating only (AN-B; current binge eating and no current purging); and 53 purging only (AN-P; current purging and no current binge eating). Results The AN-R group had lower current body mass index compared to AN-B & P and AN-P with no group differences in highest, lowest, or desired body mass index. The probability of amenorrhea was higher for the AN-R and AN-B & P groups than the AN-P group. The probability of diet pill use was elevated for the AN-B & P and AN-P groups compared to the AN-R group. The AN-P group also had a higher probability of fasting than the AN-R group. The probability of substance use including tobacco was lower in the AN-R group than the other three groups. No group differences were found on measures of hospitalization, body image, physical symptoms, exercise, or dieting behaviors. Conclusions These findings do not support the validity or clinical utility of classifying AN into narrower subtypes based on current binge eating, purging, and binge eating with purging given that few differences were found among groups who reported any combination of current binge eating and purging. Future research is needed to replicate these findings and to further examine the AN subtype classification schemes.

This review discusses the evidence base for medications that are currently used for obesity and eating disorders, including their Food and Drug Administration approval status by disorder and age group, contraindications, and major adverse effects. Investigational agents currently being considered, issues related to psychiatric and medical comorbidity, limitations of pharmacologic strategies, and recommendations for treatment are also addressed.

Objective Our objective is to determine whether quetiapine was superior to placebo in increasing weight or reducing core symptoms of anorexia nervosa as assessed by the Yale–Brown–Cornell Eating Disorder Scale and the Eating Disorder Inventory-2. Method Participants were randomised to 8 weeks of quetiapine or placebo. Results There are 21 participants who signed informed consent, 15 were randomised, 14 returned for at least one visit after receiving drug and 10 completed the study. There were no differences between drug and placebo in questionnaire scores, weight or measures of anxiety or depression. Discussion There was no difference between quetiapine and placebo on weight gain or core symptoms. Small effect sizes suggest that a higher number of participants would not increase significant differences between groups. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Introduction Case-based presentations are widely used in medical education and are a preferred education modality to teach about the care of geriatric patients across a range of medical specialties. Methods We incorporated evidence-based materials from topical literature syntheses into case-based presentations on the care of geriatric patients for use by specialty residents. These enhanced case-based presentations were used to augment learning and to facilitate detection of additional educational needs for future resident training sessions. Results Forty case-based presentations were presented to 11 specialty programs during a 4-year period. The program was popular, and program directors and residents requested additional presentations. Geriatric evidence-based summaries were viewed online 375 times during the course of the project. Geriatric clinical consults increased from an average of 10 consults a year to 141 from 64 different providers during the first year. Discussion Case-based presentation, enhanced with evidence-based summaries of research literature generated by information specialists, is a feasible and effective approach to teaching clinical content. These presentations can be used to target geriatrics educational competencies for resident trainees in nongeriatric specialties.

Nurses are often faced with the challenge of reconciling what is seen and believed regarding life with what is popular and commonly known by biomedical science. Faced with this philosophical, ethical, and moral dilemma, nurses can use many of the philosophical viewpoints grounding nursing science and its practice to assist in the reconciliation to this life-death issue. Using various perspectives and reflecting on Boykin and Schoenhofer’s theory of nursing as caring, this article addresses the question whether the presence of a beating heart is a sufficient determining factor to declare that a person is “alive,” influencing the reconciliation of technologic, caring, and nursing perspectives on health and human care. In essence, “Is a beating heart tantamount to being alive?”

Increased fatigue is a predictor of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Fatigability defines a change in performance or self-reported fatigue in response to physical activity (PA). However, the relationship of fatigability to PA-related energy expenditure (PAEE) is unknown. Changes in performance, fatigue, and energy expenditure were measured simultaneously in 17 adults (11 females, 74–94 years old) performing eight standardized PA tasks with various energy expenditure requirements in a whole-room indirect calorimeter. Change in performance was objectively measured using a PA movement monitor and change in fatigue was self-reported on a seven-point scale for each task. Performance and perceived fatigability severity scores were calculated as a ratio of change in performance and fatigue, respectively, and PAEE. We found that change in both objective performance and self-reported fatigue were associated with energy expenditure (Spearman rho = −0.72 and −0.68, respectively, p

Objective: To examine the impact of a restrictive vs. liberal transfusion strategy on arterial lactate and oxygen content differences in children with single-ventricle physiology post cavopulmonary connection. Children with single-ventricle physiology are routinely transfused postoperatively to increase systemic oxygen delivery, and transfusion thresholds in this population have not been studied. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Setting: Pediatric cardiac intensive care unit in a teaching hospital. Patients: Infants and children (n 60) with variations of singleventricle physiology presenting for cavopulmonary connection. Interventions: Subjects were randomized to a restrictive (hemoglobin of 13.0 g/dL) transfusion strategy for 48 hrs post operation. Primary outcome measures were mean and peak arterial lactate. Secondary end points were arteriovenous (C(a-v)O2) and arteriocerebral oxygen content (C(a-c)O2) differences and clinical outcomes. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 30 children were in each group. There were no significant preoperative differences. Mean hemoglobin in the restrictive and liberal groups were 11 1.3 g/dL and 13.9 0.5 g/dL, respectively (p < .01). No differences in mean (1.4 0.5 mmol/L [Restrictive] vs. 1.4 0.4 mmol/L [Liberal]) or peak (3.1 1.5 mmol/L [Restrictive] vs. 3.2 1.3 mmol/L [Liberal]) lactate between groups were found. Mean number of red blood cell transfusions were 0.43 0.6 and 2.1 1.2 (p < .01), and donor exposure was 1.2 0.7 and 2.4 1.1 to (p < .01), for each group, respectively. No differences were found in C(a-v)O2, C(a-c)O2, or clinical outcome measures. Conclusion: Children with single-ventricle physiology do not benefit from a liberal transfusion strategy after cavopulmonary connection. A restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategy decreases the number of transfusions, donor exposures, and potential risks in these children. Larger studies with clinical outcome measures are needed to determine the transfusion threshold for children post cardiac repair or palliation for congenital heart disease. (Pediatr Crit Care Med 2011; 12: 39‐45)

Alcohol-use disorders often occur together with anxiety disorders in humans which may be partly due to common inherited genetic factors. Evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of individuals with anxiety and/or alcohol-use disorders.The present study assessed the effects of a novel endocannabinoid uptake inhibitor, LY2183240, on anxiety- and alcohol-seeking behaviors in a unique animal model that may represent increased genetic risk to develop co-morbid anxiety and alcohol-use disorders in humans. Mice selectively bred for high alcohol preference (HAP) show greater fear-potentiated startle (FPS) than mice selectively bred for low alcohol preference (LAP). We examined the effects of LY2183240 on the expression of FPS in HAP and LAP mice and on alcohol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and limited-access alcohol drinking behavior in HAP mice.Repeated administration of LY2183240 (30 mg/kg) reduced the expression of FPS in HAP but not LAP mice when given prior to a second FPS test 48 h after fear conditioning. Both the 10 and 30 mg/kg doses of LY2183240 enhanced the expression of alcohol-induced CPP and this effect persisted in the absence of the drug. LY2183240 did not alter limited-access alcohol drinking behavior, unconditioned startle responding, or locomotor activity.These findings suggest that ECS modulation influences both conditioned fear and conditioned alcohol reward behavior. LY2183240 may be an effective pharmacotherapy for individuals with anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, but may not be appropriate for individuals with co-morbid anxiety and alcohol-use disorders.