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In 2007, nonsuppurative encephalitis was identified in a killer whale at a Texas, USA, marine park. Panviral DNA microarray of brain tissue suggested West Nile virus (WNV); WNV was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR and sequencing. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated WNV antigen within neurons. WNV should be considered in cases of encephalitis in cetaceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are often used in place of mediport catheters because of cost and lack of operating room time and to prevent delays in therapy. One common complication associated with their use is upper extremity venous thrombosis (UEVT). The purpose of this study was to ascertain risk factors associated with an increased risk of PICC associated UEVT in patients with cancer. Methods: Retrospective analysis identified 237 patients with cancer who received PICCs at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 2006 to 2009. We analyzed many risk factors, including PICC infection (PI), use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), antiplatelet agents (APAs), treatment dose anticoagulation (TDA), and bevacizumab. Results: Of 237 patients, 36 (15%) were found to have UEVT. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed risk factors positively associated with UEVT were use of ESAs (odds ratio [OR], 10.66; 95% CI, 2.25 to 50.49), hospitalization (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.39), PI (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.03 to 5.86), and TDA (OR, 8.34; 95% CI, 2.98 to 23.33), whereas patients receiving APAs had a lower risk of UEVT (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.92). Conclusion: Specific factors significantly increase the risk of UEVT in patients with cancer with PICCs, whereas use of APAs seems to have a protective effect against UEVT. These results may aid in the development of a predictive model for identifying patients at high risk of UEVT who may benefit from APAs, as well as in determining preventive strategies for reducing the risk of PICC-associated UEVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To identify independent factors that could predict mortality within 6 months in a cohort of patients with esophageal cancer., Methods: Esophageal cancer patients were grouped into early (≤6 months, n = 41) and late (>6 months, n = 81) mortality groups. 52 variables were analyzed by univariable analysis (UA). A multivariable (MVA) regression model was created to identify predictors of early mortality., Results: When comparing early and late mortality groups, there was no difference in age, BMI, race, histology, or anatomic location between the two groups. UA demonstrated that the early mortality group had a lower mean albumin level (3.3 ± 0.1 g/dl vs. 3.8 ± 0.1 g/dl; P < 0.001), poorer ECOG performance status (1.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.1 ± 0.1, P = 0.02), higher WBC count (9.6 ± 0.7 K/µL vs. 8.2 ± 0.3 K/µL, P = 0.04), and were less likely to receive surgery (2.4% vs. 22.2%; P = 0.003), neoadjuvant treatment (4.9% vs. 28.4%; P = 0.009) and definitive chemoradiation (7.3% vs. 27.2%; P = 0.01). MVA revealed that only low albumin at diagnosis was an independent predictor of survival (P = 0.016)., Conclusion: Albumin level at diagnosis is an independent predictor of early mortality and might be used with other variables to provide prognostic information for patients and to guide treatment.