Clinical
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Epidemiology of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders in Two Distinct Populations: Black and White
Based on an epidemiological study in two ethnically and geographically distinct populations of patients diagnosed with central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases, the authors report a higher prevalence among Afro-Caribbean patients in Martinique in the eastern Caribbean sea vs. a predominantly Caucasian population in Olmstead County in Minnesota. The study demonstrates a propensity for neuromyelitis optica to affect blacks more than Caucasians.
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Blood-Based Biomarkers in the Evaluation of Alzheimer’s Disease
At the present time, no blood-based biomarkers have been identified as reliable indicators of A-beta amyloid deposition in the brain.
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Greater Weight Loss Later in Life Is Associated with Increased Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment
In a population-based, prospective study of subjects 70 years of age or older, increasing weight loss per decade from midlife to late-life was associated with an increased risk of incident mild cognitive impairment.
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Do Miller Fisher Syndrome, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and Bickerstaff Encephalitis Overlap?
All three of these syndromes — Miller Fisher, Guillain-Barré, and Bickerstaff encephalitis — occur following an acute gastrointestinal infection, with many cases of overlap syndromes, and deficits may progress during the first few days of illness.
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Treatment of Glioblastoma in Elderly Patients
In a retrospective cohort study of elderly patients with glioblastoma, overall survival was superior with combined-modality therapy (radiation and chemotherapy) compared with chemotherapy alone or radiation alone.
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Effect of Antibiotic Resistance on Prevention of Surgical Site Infections
This interesting article from Teillant and colleagues (who is now doing some interesting work at the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy in Washington, DC) highlights the threat of antibacterial resistance not only to our ability to fight active infection, but to prevent surgical site infection using perioperative antibacterials.
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Assay for Detection of Zika Virus in Urine
Most patients with Zika virus have asymptomatic or subclinical infection. The CDC now offers a TrioPlex rRT-PCR assay for the detection of ZV in urine in select patients.
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Colistin vs. Polymyxin B
Based on their kinetics and toxicity profiles, polymyxin B may be the preferred agent for treatment of systemic infections, while colistin is preferred for infections limited to the urinary tract.
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Severe Infection Due to Human Adenovirus B7
Oregon health authorities identified 198 patients from October 2013 until July 2014 with respiratory symptoms and a human adenovirus (HAdV)-positive respiratory specimen. Of the 136 patients (69%) who were hospitalized, 31% were admitted to ICU, 18% required mechanical ventilation, and five patients died. Patients with HAdV-B7 were more likely to be adults and to have longer hospital stays.
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Refining the Evaluation and Management of Neonatal Herpes Infection
Neonatal herpes infection usually presents with seizure, vesicular rash, or critical illness. The subset of infected patients without those signs were younger than two weeks of age and/or had cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis.