STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify features associated with increased mortality risk in traumatic C2 fractures in the elderly, including measures of comorbidity and frailty. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: C2 fractures in the elderly are of increasing relevance in the setting of an aging global population and have a high mortality rate. Previous analyzes of risk factors for mortality have not included the measures of comorbidity and/or frailty, and no local data have been reported to date. METHODS: This study comprises a retrospective review of 70 patients of age >65 years at Waikato Hospital, New Zealand with traumatic C2 fractures identified on computed tomography between 2010 and 2016. Demographic details, medical history, laboratory results on admission, mechanism of injury, and neurological status on presentation were recorded. Medical comorbidities were also detailed allowing calculation of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the modified Frailty Index (mFI). RESULTS: The most common mechanism of injury was a fall from standing height (n=52, 74.3%). Mortality rates were 14.3% (n=10) at day 30, and 35.7% (n=25) at 1 year. Bivariate analysis showed that both CCI and mFI correlated with 1-year mortality rates. Reduced albumin and hemoglobin levels were also associated with 30-day and 1-year mortality rates. Forward stepwise logistic regression models determined CCI and low hemoglobin as predictors of mortality within 30 days, whereas CCI, low albumin, increased age, and female gender predicted mortality at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The CCI was a useful tool for predicting mortality at 1 year in the patient cohort. Other variables, including common laboratory markers, can also be used for risk stratification, to initiate timely multidisciplinary management, and prognostic counseling for patients and family members.

Objective: Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in adolescence, and acute pediatric mental health emergency department (ED) visits have doubled in the past decade. The objective of this study was to evaluate physiologic parameters relationship to suicide severity. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study from April 2018 thru November 2019 in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department (ED) and inpatient pediatric psychiatric unit enrolling acutely suicidal adolescent patients. Patients wore a wrist device that used photoplethysmography for 7 days during their acute hospitalization to measure heart rate variability (HRV). During that time, Columbia Suicide Severity Scores (CSSRS) were assessed at 3 time points. Results: There was complete device data and follow-up for 51 patients. There was an increase in the high frequency (HF) component of HRV in patients that had a 25% or greater decrease in their CSSRS (mean difference 11.89 ms/ Hz ; p-value 0.005). Patients with a CSSRS≥15 on day of enrollment had a lower, although not statistically significant, HF component (mean difference -8.34 ms/ Hz; p-value 0.071). Conclusion We found an inverse correlation between parasympathetic activity measured through the HF component and suicidality in an acutely suicidal population of adolescents. Wearable technology may have the ability to improve outpatient monitoring for earlier detection and intervention.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: High-resolution methods have advanced esophageal and anorectal manometry interpretation but are incompletely established for intestinal manometry. We characterized normal fasting duodeno-jejunal manometry parameters not measurable by standard techniques using clustered closely-spaced recordings. METHODS: Ten fasting recordings were performed in 8 healthy controls using catheters with 3–4 gastrointestinal manometry clusters with 1–2 cm channel spacing. Migrating motor complex phase III characteristics were quantified. Spatial-temporal contour plots measured propagation direction and velocity of individual contractions. Coupling was defined by pressure peak continuity within clusters. RESULTS: Twenty-three phase III complexes (11 antral, 12 intestinal origin) with 157 (95% CI, 104–211) minute periodicities, 6.99 (6.25–7.74) minute durations, 10.92 (10.68–11.16) cycle/minute frequencies, 73.6 (67.7–79.5) mmHg maximal amplitudes, and 4.20 (3.18–5.22) cm/minute propagation velocities were recorded. Coupling of individual contractions was 39.1% (32.1–46.1); 63.0% (54.4–71.6) of contractions were antegrade and 32.8% (24.1–41.5) were retrograde. Individual phase III contractions propagated > 35 fold faster (2.48 cm/sec; 95% CI, 2.25–2.71) than complexes themselves. Phase III complexes beyond the proximal jejunum were longer in duration (P = 0.025) and had poorer contractile coupling (P = 0.025) than proximal complexes. Coupling was greater with 1 cm channel spacing vs 2 cm (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal manometry using clustered closely-spaced pressure ports characterizes novel antegrade and retrograde propagation and coupling properties which degrade in more distal jejunal segments. Coupling is greater with more closely-spaced recordings. Applying similar methods to dysmotility syndromes will define the relevance of these methods.
Catheters ; Fasting ; Intestines ; Jejunum ; Manometry ; Muscle Contraction ; Myoelectric Complex, Migrating ; Periodicity

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Protocols ; standards ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Guidelines as Topic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Societies, Medical ; United States

OBJECTIVE: Garcinia mangostana Linn., commonly known as mangosteen, is a tropical fruit with a thick pericarp rind containing bioactive compounds that may be beneficial as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia. The biological underpinnings of schizophrenia are believed to involve altered neurotransmission, inflammation, redox systems, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurogenesis. Mangosteen pericarp contains xanthones which may target these biological pathways and improve symptoms; this is supported by preclinical evidence. Here we outline the protocol for a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of adjunctive mangosteen pericarp (1,000 mg/day), compared to placebo, in the treatment of schizophrenia. METHODS: We aim to recruit 150 participants across two sites (Geelong and Brisbane). Participants diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder will be randomized to receive 24 weeks of either adjunctive 1,000 mg/day of mangosteen pericarp or matched placebo, in addition to their usual treatment. The primary outcome measure is mean change in the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (total score) over the 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes include positive and negative symptoms, general psychopathology, clinical global severity and improvement, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, functioning, participants reported overall improvement, substance use, cognition, safety and biological data. A 4-week post treatment interview at week 28 will explore post-discontinuations effects. RESULTS: Ethical and governance approvals were gained and the trial commenced. CONCLUSION: A positive finding in this study has the potential to provide a new adjunctive treatment option for people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It may also lead to a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder.
Cognition ; Depression ; Fruit ; Garcinia mangostana ; Garcinia ; Inflammation ; Neurogenesis ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Psychopathology ; Psychotic Disorders ; Schizophrenia ; Synaptic Transmission ; Xanthones