Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

PURPOSE: To provide 1995 estimates of the lifetime and annual cost of epilepsy in the United States using data from patients with epilepsy, and adjusting for the effects of comorbidities and socioeconomic conditions. METHODS: Direct treatment-related costs of epilepsy from onset through 6 years were derived from billing and medical chart data for 608 population-based incident cases at two sites in different regions of the country. Indirect productivity-related costs were derived from a survey of 1,168 adult patients visiting regional treatment centers. Direct costs separate the effects of epilepsy and comorbidity conditions. Indirect costs account for the effects of other disabilities and socioeconomic conditions on foregone earnings and household activity. The estimates were applied to 1995 population figures to derive national projections of the lifetime and annual costs of the disorder. RESULTS: The lifetime cost of epilepsy for an estimated 181,000 people with onset in 1995 is projected at $11.1 billion, and the annual cost for the estimated 2.3 million prevalent cases is estimated at $12.5 billion. Indirect costs account for 85% of the total and, with direct costs, are concentrated in people with intractable epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Direct costs attributable to epilepsy are below previous estimates. Indirect costs adjusted for the socioeconomic conditions of patients are above previous estimates. Findings indicate that epilepsy is unique in the large proportion of costs that are productivity-related, justifying further investment in the development of effective interventions.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of arthroscopic acellular human dermal matrix augmentation of large rotator cuff tear repairs. METHODS: A prospective, institutional review board-approved, multicenter series of patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of 2-tendon rotator cuff tears measuring greater than 3 cm were randomized by sealed envelopes opened at the time of surgery to arthroscopic single-row rotator cuff repair with GraftJacket acellular human dermal matrix (Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN) augmentation (group 1) or without augmentation (group 2). Preoperative and postoperative functional outcome assessments were obtained by use of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Constant, and University of California, Los Angeles scales. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of these repairs was obtained at a mean of 14.5 months (range, 12 to 24 months). Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: There were 22 patients in group 1 and 20 in group 2 with a mean age of 56 years. The mean follow-up was 24 months (range, 12 to 38 months). The ASES score improved from 48.5 to 98.9 in group 1 and from 46.0 to 94.8 in group 2. The scores in group 1 were statistically better than those in group 2 (P = .035). The Constant score improved from 41.0 to 91.9 in group 1 and from 45.8 to 85.3 in group 2. The scores in group 1 were statistically better than those in group 2 (P = .008). The University of California, Los Angeles score improved from 13.3 to 28.2 in group 1 and from 15.9 to 28.3 in group 2 (P = .43). Gadolinium-enhanced MRI scans showed intact cuffs in 85% of repairs in group 1 and 40% in group 2 (P < .01). No adverse events were attributed to the presence of the matrix grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Acellular human dermal matrix augmentation of large (>3 cm) cuff tears involving 2 tendons showed better ASES and Constant scores and more frequent intact cuffs as determined by gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Intact repairs were found in 85% of the augmented group and 40% of the nonaugmented group (P < .01). No adverse events related to the acellular human dermal matrix were observed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, lesser-quality randomized controlled trial.

For over 30 years, astronauts in Earth orbit or on missions to the moon have been exposed to space radiation comprised of high-energy protons and heavy ions and secondary particles produced in collisions with spacecraft and tissue. Large uncertainties exist in the projection of risks of late effects from space radiation such as cancer and cataracts due to the paucity [corrected] of epidemiological data. Here we present epidemiological [corrected] data linking an increased risk of cataracts for astronauts with higher lens doses (>8 mSv) of space radiation relative to other astronauts with lower lens doses (<8 mSv). Our study uses historical data for cataract incidence in the 295 astronauts participating in NASA's Longitudinal Study of Astronaut Health (LSAH) and individual occupational radiation exposure data. These results, while preliminary because of the use of subjective scoring methods, suggest that relatively low doses of space radiation may predispose crew to [corrected] an increased incidence and early appearance of cataracts.

BACKGROUND: Failure of tendon healing after a rotator cuff repair is demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a fluid-filled defect within the tendon. The frequency of, and factors associated with, failure of the tendon repair to heal have been the focus of many clinical studies. The timing of when these defects occur has not been previously studied in a large prospectively defined patient population, to our knowledge. It was our hypothesis that the majority of failures occur within twelve weeks after surgery. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen patients were enrolled in a multi-institutional prospective study. All patients had a standardized arthroscopic repair of a full-thickness tear of 1 to 4 cm as well as sequential MRI studies at six intervals from two weeks to fifty-two weeks. MRIs were reviewed at the time of imaging by the treating surgeon. Standardized patient-oriented clinical data were collected, physical examination was performed, and strength measurements were made preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The treating surgeons diagnosed a recurrent tear with MRI in nineteen (17%) of the 113 patients within one year after surgery. The mean time to the retear was 19.2 weeks. There was a linear increase in retears over the first twenty-six weeks after surgery, and one additional tear was diagnosed between twenty-six and fifty-two weeks after repair. CONCLUSIONS: Retears primarily occur between six and twenty-six weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and few additional tears occur thereafter. A substantial number of retears occur between twelve and twenty-six weeks after repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PURPOSE: The development of a genetic signature for the identification of high-risk cutaneous melanoma tumors would provide a valuable prognostic tool with value for stage I and II patients who represent a remarkably heterogeneous group with a 3% to 55% chance of disease progression and death 5 years from diagnosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A prognostic 28-gene signature was identified by analysis of microarray expression data. Primary cutaneous melanoma tumor tissue was evaluated by RT-PCR for expression of the signature, and radial basis machine (RBM) modeling was performed to predict risk of metastasis. RESULTS: RBM analysis of cutaneous melanoma tumor gene expression reports low risk (class 1) or high risk (class 2) of metastasis. Metastatic risk was predicted with high accuracy in development (ROC = 0.93) and validation (ROC = 0.91) cohorts of primary cutaneous melanoma tumor tissue. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates in the development set were 100% and 38% for predicted classes 1 and 2 cases, respectively (P < 0.0001). DFS rates for the validation set were 97% and 31% for predicted classes 1 and 2 cases, respectively (P < 0.0001). Gene expression profile (GEP), American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, Breslow thickness, ulceration, and age were independent predictors of metastatic risk according to Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The GEP signature accurately predicts metastasis risk in a multicenter cohort of primary cutaneous melanoma tumors. Preliminary Cox regression analysis indicates that the signature is an independent predictor of metastasis risk in the cohort presented.

BACKGROUND: Our purposes were to analyze radiographic changes around humeral components and to determine the influence of these changes on the clinical outcome of shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-five shoulders with primary osteoarthritis were treated with a shoulder replacement and were analyzed clinically and radiographically with a standardized protocol. Radiographs were evaluated for osteolysis and stress-shielding of the proximal part of the humerus and loosening of the humeral and glenoid components. The arthroplasty configurations included (1) hemiarthroplasty with cement (thirty shoulders), (2) hemiarthroplasty without cement (thirty-six), (3) total shoulder replacement with a cemented stem and a cemented flat-backed glenoid component (eighty-nine), (4) total shoulder replacement with a cemented stem and a cemented convex-backed glenoid component (ninety-four), (5) total shoulder replacement with a cemented stem and an uncemented metal-backed glenoid component (seventy-nine), and (6) total shoulder replacement with an uncemented stem and a cemented convex-backed glenoid component (sixty-seven). The mean duration of follow-up was 8.2 years (range, four to eighteen years). RESULTS: The Constant score and shoulder motion were significantly greater at the latest follow-up examination than preoperatively (p < 0.001). One cemented stem loosened after a periprosthetic fracture, and another was judged to be at risk for loosening. Stress-shielding was noted only around uncemented stems in 63% of the shoulders with such stems. Osteolysis of the proximal part of the humerus occurred only with total shoulder arthroplasty in 43% of the shoulders. Patients with osteolysis had a poorer clinical outcome (p < 0.001). Shoulders with osteolysis around the proximal part of the humerus had more glenoid loosening and polyethylene wear (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Glenoid issues have a substantial effect on humeral bone in shoulder arthroplasty. Polyethylene wear appears to be associated with the development of osteolysis of the proximal part of the humerus after total shoulder arthroplasty. With our implants, stress-shielding was only observed with uncemented humeral stems. The uncemented and cemented stem designs analyzed in this study appeared comparable and can be recommended for clinical use.

BACKGROUND: Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has become routine in managing recurrent C. difficile infection (CDI) refractory to antibiotics. AIM: To compare clinical response and improvements in colonic microbiota diversity in subjects with recurrent CDI using different donor product. METHODS: Seventy-two subjects with ≥3 bouts of CDI were randomised in a double-blind study to receive fresh, frozen or lyophilised FMT product via colonoscopy from 50 g of stool per treatment from eight healthy donors. Recipients provided stools pre- and 7, 14 and 30 days post-FMT for C. difficile toxin and, in a subset, microbiome composition by 16S rRNA gene profiling. RESULTS: Overall resolution of CDI was 87% during 2 months of follow-up after FMT. Stool samples before FMT had significantly decreased bacterial diversity with a high proportion of Proteobacteria compared to donors. Cure rates were highest for the group receiving fresh product seen in 25/25 (100%), lowest for the lyophilised product 16/23 (78%; P = 0.022 vs. fresh and 0.255 vs. frozen) and intermediate for frozen product 20/24 (P = 0.233 vs. fresh). Microbial diversity was reconstituted by day 7 in the subjects receiving fresh or frozen product. Improvement in diversity was seen by day 7 in those randomised to lyophilised material with reconstitution by 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Comparative efficacy in faecal microbiota transplantation was observed in subjects receiving fresh or frozen faecal product from the same donors. The lyophilised product had a slightly lowered efficacy compared with fresh product, but it resembled other treatments in microbial restoration 1 month after faecal microbiota transplantation.

RATIONALE: Data about the influence of the type of sedation on yield, complications, and tolerance of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) are based mostly on retrospective studies and are largely inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the type of sedation influences the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA, its complication rates, and patient tolerance. METHODS: Patients referred for EBUS-TBNA were randomized (1:1) to undergo this procedure under general anesthesia (GA) or moderate sedation (MS). Pathologists were blinded to group allocation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome was "diagnostic yield," defined as the percentage of patients for whom EBUS-TBNA rendered a specific diagnosis. One hundred and forty-nine patients underwent EBUS-TBNA, 75 under GA and 74 under MS. Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were well balanced. Two hundred and thirty-six lymph nodes (LNs) and six masses were sampled in the GA group (average, 3.2 ± 1.9 sites/patient), and 200 LNs and six masses in the MS group (average, 2.8 ± 1.5 sites/patient) (P = 0.199). The diagnostic yield was 70.7% (53 of 75) and 68.9% (51 of 74) for the GA group and MS group, respectively (P = 0.816). The sensitivity was 98.2% in the GA group (confidence interval, 97-100%) and 98.1% in the MS group (confidence interval, 97-100%) (P = 0.979). EBUS was completed in all patients in the GA group, and in 69 patients (93.3%) in the MS group (P = 0.028). There were no major complications or escalation of care in either group. Minor complications were more common in the MS group (29.6 vs. 5.3%) (P < 0.001). Most patients stated they "definitely would" undergo this procedure again in both groups (P = 0.355). CONCLUSIONS: EBUS-TBNA performed under MS results in comparable diagnostic yield, rate of major complications, and patient tolerance as under GA. Future prospective multicenter studies are required to corroborate our findings. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01430962).

BACKGROUND: Black men are known to have a higher incidence and mortality from prostate carcinoma than white men and are more likely to have a more advanced stage or grade of disease diagnosed. METHODS: In a Veterans Administration Medical Center where black and white men have the same eligibility for medical care, the authors reviewed the stage at presentation of 861 consecutive cases of prostate carcinoma diagnosed from 1969-1990. In addition, survival, stratified by race, stage, and grade, was determined on all men in whom prostate cancer was diagnosed from 1969-1985 (525 patients). RESULTS: It was found that 26% of white and 52% of black men with prostate carcinoma presented with Stage D disease. Similar proportions of white and black men with prostate carcinoma presented with Stage D disease between 1969-73 as between 1986-90. The overall survival was poorer for black men because of their higher proportion of Stage D disease, but stratified for grade and stage, survival was similar in both races. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that factors other than eligibility for medical care may be responsible for the higher proportion of black men with prostate carcinoma presenting with Stage D prostate carcinoma.

Data from a multiethnic sample of women participating in the American Cancer Society 1987 Texas Breast Screening Project was used to compare attitudes and behaviors related to breast cancer screening for whites, blacks, and Hispanics. In general, similar patterns of association were observed across racial/ethnic groups between a number of demographic and risk factors and prior mammography and recent clinical breast examination (CBE), although the magnitude of the associations varied somewhat across groups. Reasons for not having had prior mammography also were similar across groups, with lack of physician referral and cost cited as the two most important reasons. However, Hispanics were less likely than blacks or whites to report prior breast cancer screening, including mammography, CBE, and breast self-examination (BSE). This study demonstrated that women of different racial/ethnic backgrounds can be successfully recruited to participate in a patient-initiated, community-based program. However, this programmatic approach requires augmentation with other intervention strategies designed to reach low-income women because women with more years of education and higher family income were overrepresented in all three groups.

Background and purpose The intestinal microbiome plays a primary role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and may provide an opportunity for disease modification. We performed a pilot clinical study looking at the safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), its effect on the microbiome, and improvement of symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Methods This was a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study, wherein orally administered lyophilized FMT product or matching placebo was given to 12 subjects with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease with constipation twice weekly for 12 weeks. Subjects were followed for safety and clinical improvement for 9 additional months (total study duration 12 months). Results Fecal microbiota transplantation caused non-severe transient upper gastrointestinal symptoms. One subject receiving FMT was diagnosed with unrelated metastatic cancer and was removed from the trial. Beta diversity (taxa) of the microbiome, was similar comparing placebo and FMT groups at baseline, however, for subjects randomized to FMT, it increased significantly at 6 weeks ( p = 0.008) and 13 weeks ( p = 0.0008). After treatment with FMT, proportions of selective families within the phylum Firmicutes increased significantly, while proportion of microbiota belonging to Proteobacteria were significantly reduced. Objective motor findings showed only temporary improvement while subjective symptom improvements were reported compared to baseline in the group receiving FMT. Constipation, gut transient times (NS), and gut motility index ( p = 0.0374) were improved in the FMT group. Conclusions Subjects with Parkinson's disease tolerated multi-dose-FMT, and experienced increased diversity of the intestinal microbiome that was associated with reduction in constipation and improved gut transit and intestinal motility. Fecal microbiota transplantation administration improved subjective motor and non-motor symptoms. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov , identifier: NCT03671785.

In June 1987, at a conference sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health and Resources Development, Department of Health and Human Services, the Surgeon General of the US Public Health Service, C. Everett Koop, MD, ScD, issued a report concerning children with special health care needs. In the report, Dr Koop identified the following seven steps to improve access to care and quality of life for these children: (1) A pledge of a national commitment to all children with special health care needs and their families, (2) encouragement of localities in the building of community-based service systems, (3) assistance in ensuring adequate preparation of providers of care, (4) development of coalitions to improve the delivery of services, (5) establishment of guidelines to control costs of services, (6) encouragement and support of the development of adequate health care financing, and (7) continuation of research and dissemination of information. Dr Koop also called for the establishment of a national agenda for families and professionals involved in the care of children with special health care needs to work together to improve the lives of these children and their families through a system of family-centered, community-based, coordinated care. In this paper, we will define what is needed to carry out this agenda, discuss some associated problems and solutions, and suggest the role that pediatricians can play. DEFINITION OF THE NEED Family-Centered Care Family-centered care is the focus of philosophy of care in which the pivotal role of the family is recognized and respected in the lives of children with special health needs.

PURPOSE: Studies of the incidence of epilepsy are limited to a few populations in which new cases can be ascertained. Health maintenance organization (HmO) populations were studied to determine the incidence in a multiethnic, urban United States population. METHODS: Cases of initial unprovoked seizure disorder or epilepsy while enrolled in an HMO between 1988 and 1994 were ascertained. Ethnicity was obtained from the medical records and was part of a nested case-control study. RESULTS: There were 197 incidence cases of epilepsy and 275 of initial unprovoked seizure diagnosis. The incidence rate in the age range 0-64 years was 35.5 per 100,000 for epilepsy and 50.9 for initial unprovoked seizure. When compared with population-based studies, rates were slightly higher in children younger than 15, similar for the 15- to 24-year age group, but lower for ages 25-64 years. The ethnicity-specific odds ratios for initial unprovoked seizure, by using non-Hispanic white as the referent, were 1.04 (0.73-1.49) for African-American, 0.97 (0.64-1.48) for Hispanic, and 0.25 (0.08-0.84) for Asian-American. CONCLUSIONS: The lower rate in the HMO population is presumably due to a healthy-worker effect. The ethnicity-specific incidence rates do not differ in this population.

This study quantified and compared the cross-sectional and longitudinal influence of age, self-report physical activity (SR-PA), and body composition (%fat) on the decline of maximal aerobic power (VO2peak) of women. The cross-sectional sample consisted of 409 healthy women, ages 20-64 yr. The 43 women of the longitudinal sample were from the same population and examined twice, the mean time between tests was 3.7 (+/-2.2) yr. Peak oxygen uptake was determined by indirect calorimetry during a maximal treadmill test. The zero-order correlation of -0.742 between VO2peak and %fat was significantly (P < 0.05) higher then the SR-PA (r = 0.626) and age correlations (r = -0.633). Linear regression defined the cross-sectional age-related decline in VO2peak at 0.537 ml.kg-1.min-1.yr-1. Multiple regression analysis (R = 0.851) showed that adding %fat and SR-PA and their interaction to the regression model reduced the age regression weight of -0.537, to -0.265 ml.kg-1.min-1.yr-1. Statistically controlling for time differences between tests, general linear models analysis showed that longitudinal changes in aerobic power were due to independent changes in %fat and SR-PA, confirming the cross-sectional results. These findings are consistent with men's data from the same lab showing that about 50% of the cross-sectional age-related decline in VO2peak was due to %fat and SR-PA.

Abstract We examine whether corporate governance differences affect firm valuation in cross‐border mergers. We find that takeover premiums are decreasing in the quality of the foreign acquirer's home country governance for deals completed with stock, suggesting that the acquirers compensate target shareholders for the resulting exposure to inferior corporate governance regimes. Correspondingly, we find that the acquiring firm stockholders' abnormal returns at the merger announcement are increasing in the quality of corporate governance for stock offers. Finally, we find that foreign acquirers from countries with better corporate governance are more likely to make stock offers.

UNLABELLED: Previously published nonexercise models using either percent fat or body mass index (BMI) as body composition measures provided valid estimates of VO2max. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the use of waist girth (WG) as a body composition surrogate in the nonexercise models and to compare the accuracy of nonexercise models that include WG, %fat, or BMI. METHODS: A total of 2417 men and 384 women were measured for VO2max by indirect calorimetry (RER > 1.1); age (yr); gender by M = 1, W = 0; self-report activity habit by the 11-point (0-10) NASA physical activity status scale (PASS); WG at the apex of the umbilicus; %fat by skinfolds; and BMI by weight (kg) divided by height squared (m). RESULTS: Three models were developed by multiple regression to estimate VO2max from age, gender, PASS, and either WG (R = 0.81, standard error of estimate (SEE) = 4.80 mL.kg.min), %fat (R = 0.82, SEE = 4.72 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)), or BMI (R = 0.80, SEE = 4.90 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Cross-validation by the PRESS technique confirmed these statistics. Accuracy of the models for predicting VO2max of subsamples was supported by constant errors (CE) < 1 mL.kg.min for subgroups of gender, age, PASS, and VO2max between 30 and 50 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) (70% of the sample). CE were > 1 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) for VO2max < 30 and > 50 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1). CONCLUSIONS: Waist girth is an acceptable surrogate for body composition in the nonexercise models. All models were similar in accuracy and valid for estimating VO2max of most adults, but with reduced accuracy at the extremes of fitness (VO2max < 30 and >50 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)).

Cytogenetic analysis of the lymphocytes of astronauts provides a direct measurement of space radiation damage in vivo, which takes into account individual radiosensitivity and considers the influence of microgravity and other stress conditions. Chromosome exchanges were measured in the blood lymphocytes of eight crew members after their respective space missions, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome painting probes. Significant increases in aberrations were observed after the long-duration missions. The in vivo dose was derived from the frequencies of translocations and total exchanges using calibration curves determined before flight, and the RBE was estimated by comparison with individually measured physical absorbed doses. The values for average RBE were compared to the average quality factor (Q) from direct measurements of the lineal energy spectra using a tissue-equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) and radiation transport codes. The ratio of aberrations identified as complex was slightly higher after flight, which is thought to be an indication of exposure to high-LET radiation. To determine whether the frequency of complex aberrations measured in metaphase spreads after exposure to high-LET radiation was influenced by a cell cycle delay, chromosome damage was analyzed in prematurely condensed chromosome samples collected from two crew members before and after a short-duration mission. The frequency of complex exchanges after flight was higher in prematurely condensed chromosomes than in metaphase cells for one crew member.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify sociodemographic disparities in health care use among epilepsy patients receiving care at different sites and the extent to which the disparities persisted after adjusting for patient characteristics and site of care. METHODS: Three months of health care use data were obtained from baseline interviews of approximately 560 patients at four sites. One-half of the patients were from a Houston site and two NYC sites that serve predominantly low-income, minority, publicly insured, or uninsured patients. The other half were at the remaining site in Houston that serves a more balanced racial/ethnic and higher sociodemographic population. Differences in general and specialist visits, hospital emergency room (ER) care, and hospitalizations were associated with race/ethnicity, income, and coverage. Logistic regression was used to assess the extent to which the differences persisted when adjusting for individual patient characteristics and site of care. RESULTS: Compared to whites, blacks and Hispanics had higher rates of generalist visits [odds ratio (OR) = 5.3 and 4.9, p < 0.05), ER care (OR = 3.1 and 2.9, p < 0.05) and hospitalizations (OR = 5.4 and 6.2, p < 0.05), and lower rates of specialist visits (OR = 0.3 and 0.4, p < 0.05). A similar pattern was found related to patient income and coverage. The magnitude and significance of the disparities persisted when adjusting for individual characteristics but decreased substantially or were eliminated when site of care was added to the model. DISCUSSION: There are sociodemographic disparities in health care for people with epilepsy that are largely explained by differences in where patients receive care.

BACKGROUND: Since device colonization is a prelude to infection, an antimicrobial-coated device that reduces bacterial colonization can potentially protect against infection. The objective of this animal study was to assess the efficacy of a coating with minocycline and rifampin to prevent colonization of a grit-blasted titanium implant and subsequent osteomyelitis. METHODS: Twenty-five rabbits underwent implantation of a titanium-alloy pin, either coated with minocycline and rifampin (thirteen rabbits) or uncoated (twelve rabbits), into the right femoral medullary canal. The implanted devices were inoculated with 500 CFU (colony-forming units) of Staphylococcus aureus prior to wound closure. The rabbits were killed one week later, and the removed device, femoral bone, a specimen obtained by swabbing the track surrounding the device, and blood were cultured. The rates of device colonization, osteomyelitis, and device-related osteomyelitis were compared between the two groups of rabbits. RESULTS: The antimicrobial-coated devices had a significantly lower rate of colonization than the uncoated devices (five of thirteen compared with twelve of twelve, p = 0.0016) and were associated with significantly lower rates of osteomyelitis (six of thirteen compared with twelve of twelve, p = 0.005) and device-related osteomyelitis (five of thirteen compared with twelve of twelve, p = 0.0016). Bacteremia did not develop in any rabbit. CONCLUSIONS: Orthopaedic devices coated with minocycline and rifampin significantly protected against device colonization and infection due to Staphylococcus aureus in this in vivo rabbit model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is possible that orthopaedic devices coated with this unique combination of antimicrobial agents may protect against the development of clinical infection in humans.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined knowledge about prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening among African Americans and Whites. Because PSA screening for prostate cancer is controversial, professional organizations recommend informed consent for screening. METHODS: Men (n = 304) attending outpatient clinics were surveyed for their knowledge about and experience with screening. RESULTS: Most men did not know the key facts about screening with PSA. African Americans appeared less knowledgeable than Whites, but these differences were mediated by differences in educational level and experience with prostate cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Public health efforts to improve informed consent for prostate cancer screening should focus on highlighting the key facts and developing different approaches for men at different levels of formal education and prior experience with screening.