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Introduction: This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of ozanimod compared with commonly used disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: Annualized relapse rate (ARR) and safety data were obtained from a network meta-analysis (NMA) of clinical trials of RRMS treatments including ozanimod, fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, interferon beta-1a, interferon beta-1b, and glatiramer acetate. ARR-related number needed to treat (NNT) relative to placebo and annual total MS-related healthcare costs was used to estimate the incremental annual cost per relapse avoided with ozanimod vs each DMT. ARR and adverse event (AE) data were combined with drug costs and healthcare costs to manage relapses and AEs in order to estimate annual cost savings with ozanimod vs other DMTs, assuming a 1 million USD fixed treatment budget. Results: Treatment with ozanimod was associated with lower incremental annual healthcare costs to avoid a relapse, ranging from $843,684 vs interferon beta-1a (30 μg; 95% confidence interval [CI] − $1,431,619, − $255,749) to $72,847 (95% CI − $153,444, $7750) vs fingolimod. Compared with all other DMTs, ozanimod was associated with overall healthcare cost savings ranging from $8257 vs interferon beta-1a (30 μg) to $2178 vs fingolimod. Compared with oral DMTs, ozanimod was associated with annual cost savings of $6199 with teriflunomide 7 mg, $4737 with teriflunomide 14 mg, $2178 with fingolimod, and $2793 with dimethyl fumarate. Conclusion: Treatment with ozanimod was associated with substantial reductions in annual drug costs and total MS-related healthcare costs to avoid relapses compared with other DMTs. In the fixed-budget analysis, ozanimod demonstrated a favorable cost-effective profile relative to other DMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspiration pneumonia is a potentially preventable, aggressive type of pneumonia. Little is understood on the burden in mortality from aspiration pneumonia. Our objectives were to first examine the burden of mortality from aspiration pneumonia in the United States and second investigate comorbidities associated with aspiration pneumonia to understand risk factors. We conducted a case-control study of individuals who died of aspiration pneumonia matched to those who died of other causes. We analyzed all deaths in the United States using the Multiple Cause of Death Dataset from 1999 to 2017. Cases were matched with controls based on age, sex, and race. We calculated age-adjusted mortality rates, annual percentage changes in aspiration pneumonia mortality, and matched odds ratio comparisons. We identified a total of 1,112,944 deaths related to aspiration pneumonia from 1999 to 2017 or an average of 58,576 per year (age-adjusted mortality rate, 21.85 per 100,000 population; 95% confidence interval (CI) 21.78-21.92). Aspiration pneumonia was reported as the underlying cause of death in 334,712 deaths or an average of 17,616 deaths per year (30.1% of the total aspiration pneumonia-associated deaths). Individuals 75 years old or older accounted for 76.0% of aspiration pneumonia deaths and the age adjusted rate ratio was 161.0 (CI 160.5-161.5). Neurologic, upper gastrointestinal, and pulmonary conditions as well as conditions associated with sedative substances were more often associated with aspiration pneumonia-associated deaths. Aspiration pneumonia is the underlying cause or a cofactor in tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States. Aspiration pneumonia-associated deaths are highly prevalent with advanced age and are associated with neurologic, upper gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune‐mediated hypersensitivity reactions to ticks and other arthropods are well documented. Hypersensitivity to ixodid (hard bodied) ticks is especially important because they transmit infection to humans throughout the world and are responsible for most vector‐borne diseases in the United States. The causative pathogens of these diseases are transmitted in tick saliva that is secreted into the host while taking a blood meal. Tick salivary proteins inhibit blood coagulation, block the local itch response and impair host anti‐tick immune responses, which allows completion of the blood meal. Anti‐tick host immune responses are heightened upon repeated tick exposure and have the potential to abrogate tick salivary protein function, interfere with the blood meal and prevent pathogen transmission. Although there have been relatively few tick bite hypersensitivity studies in humans compared with those in domestic animals and laboratory animal models, areas of human investigation have included local hypersensitivity reactions at the site of tick attachment and generalized hypersensitivity reactions. Progress in the development of anti‐tick vaccines for humans has been slow due to the complexities of such vaccines but has recently accelerated. This approach holds great promise for future prevention of tick‐borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We determined the influence of cumulative dosing of caffeine citrate on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of low birth weight (VLBW) infants at 18-22 months of postmenstrual age.Methods: This retrospective chart analysis was conducted at Detroit Medical Center, Michigan, USA. The 181 infants we included were born between January 2006 and December 2016, were less than 32 weeks of gestational age and weighed less than 1500 grams. Data on their perinatal and postnatal characteristics were retrieved from their medical records and they were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development - Third Edition.Results: The 64 infants with no neurodevelopmental disability or a mild disability received a significantly higher average daily dose (mg/kg/day) of caffeine citrate with a median of 7.58 (range 2.7-12.2) mg/kg/day, than the 79 infants with a moderate to severe disability, who received a median of 6.47 (range 3.1-12.5, p = 0.01). The total cumulative dose had no effect on bronchopulmonary dysplasia or neurodevelopmental outcomes.Conclusion: A higher average daily dose of caffeine citrate was associated with better neurodevelopmental outcomes of VLBW infants. However, the cumulative dose did not have an impact on their short-term or long-term outcomes. Further research is needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study examined the education and work experience of immigrant and American-trained registered nurses from 1988 to 2008. Background The USA increasingly relies on immigrant nurses to fill a significant nursing shortage. These nurses receive their training overseas, but can obtain licenses to practice in different countries. Introduction Although immigrant nurses have been in the USA workforce for several decades, little is known about how their education and work experience compares with USA-trained nurses. Yet much is presumed by policy makers and administrators who perpetuate the stereotype that immigrant nurses are not as qualified. Methods We analysed the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses datasets from 1988 to 2008 using the Cochran- Armitage trend tests. Results Our findings showed similar work experience and upward trends in education among both groups of nurses. However, American-trained nurses were more likely to further advance their education, whereas immigrant nurses were more likely to have more work experience and practice in a wider range of healthcare settings. Discussion Although we discovered differences between nurses trained in the USA and abroad, we theorize that these differences even out, as education and work experience each have their own distinct caregiving advantages. Conclusion Immigrant nurses are not less qualified than their American-trained counterparts. However, healthcare providers should encourage them to further pursue their education and certifications. Implications for nursing and health policy Even though immigrant nurses' education and work experience are comparable with their American counterparts, workforce development policies may be particularly beneficial for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: The increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States is only partially accounted for by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. The prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is not known; guidelines from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases do not recommend surveillance imaging. We sought to determine the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients undergoing liver transplantation for NASH-related cirrhosis and their outcome after surgery, compared with controls. Methods: We reviewed the records of adult patients with NASH cirrhosis who underwent liver transplantation by using a prospectively collected database from a single center. Data from patients with NASH cirrhosis were compared with matched controls who received transplantation for primary biliary cirrhosis/primary sclerosing cholangitis, alcoholic liver disease, or HCV. Results: Seventeen of 98 patients (17%) with NASH cirrhosis were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. The mean age was 63 years, and 70% were male. Six patients were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma incidentally on explant. Survival after liver transplantation was 88% after mean follow-up of 2.5 years. The number of NASH patients known to have hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation was greater than the number of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis/primary sclerosing cholangitis and comparable to the number of patients with alcoholic liver disease and HCV. Conclusions: Patients with NASH cirrhosis are at risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma; patients with NASH cirrhosis, especially men older than 50 years, should undergo surveillance imaging. Patients with NASH and hepatocellular carcinoma have good outcomes after liver transplantation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the sociodemographic factors influencing the support for environmental issues in the U.S. Relationship between women and nature; Sex differences in patterns of support for the environmental; Concept of feminist consciousness.

Objective: To evaluate the association between intermittent phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) exposure and risk of acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) using a case-crossover design.Methods: Male adults with suspected NAION were enrolled at 41 US ophthalmology sites from 2010 to 2015 and were interviewed regarding risk factors for NAION, medical history, and PDE5i use before NAION onset (index date of onset [IDO]). An adjudication committee confirmed the NAION cases. The primary analysis, using the person-time method, examined the rate of PDE5i exposure within 5 half-lives of NAION onset relative to PDE5i exposure over a 30-day study period preceding the IDO in men exposed to PDE5i intermittently as a measure of NAION risk associated with PDE5i exposure. Rate ratios were estimated using the Mantel-Haenszel estimator. Secondary analyses included person-time analyses over the 12-months preceding the IDO and matched-interval analyses over 42 days preceding the IDO.Results: Of 279 men with confirmed NAION, 22 were exposed to PDE5i intermittently within 30 days of IDO. The Mantel-Haenszel rate ratio for risk of NAION associated with PDE5i exposure within 5 half-lives of IDO was 2.27 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99-5.20) over the 30-day period (n = 22) and 3.52 (95% CI: 1.59-7.79) over the 12-month period (n = 26). Sensitivity analyses showed similar results and were statistically significant. The matched-interval method found no association (hazard ratio = 1.64 [95% CI: 0.60-4.51]).Conclusion: Overall, the study suggests an increased risk of NAION associated with PDE5i use. Patients and health-care providers should continue to weigh the risks and benefits of PDE5i use, including the potential for NAION. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]