Midwestern University (MWU) is a private medical and professional school with campuses in Downers Grove, Illinois and Glendale, Arizona. As of the 2020-21 academic year, a total of 2,987 students were enrolled at the Downers Grove campus and 3,902 were enrolled at the Glendale campus.Founded in 1900 as the American College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine is the fourth-oldest medical school currently active in Illinois. Over the years, the university expanded, adding additional degrees and programs; in 1993, the school united these programs under the name Midwestern University. In 1995, the school opened a campus in Glendale, Arizona, becoming the second and largest medical school to teach students in the state. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the medical schools are also accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the utilization of the naloxone nasal spray kit provided to patients after discharge from Cermak Health Services of Cook County (CHS). During May and June 2018, the records of currently incarcerated CHS patients were reviewed to identify patients who (1) received the naloxone education and nasal spray kit upon previous discharge from CHS and (2) were then readmitted to the facility. Of the 76 potential participants, 60 interviews were conducted. This study has shown that 38.3% of patients utilized the nasal sprays provided to them upon discharge. Of those who reported using the nasal spray, 95.7% achieved positive outcomes. This study showed the positive impact the Naloxone Education/Dispensing Program had on patients discharged from CHS. In addition to identifying success in the number of lives saved, the study recognizes the long-term effect on patient safety that emerges from the program.
KNM-ER 64061 is a partial skeleton from the upper Burgi Member of the Koobi Fora Formation (2.02-2.06 Ma) associated taphonomically and geochemically with a nearly complete mandibular dentition (KNM-ER 64060) attributed to Homo habilis. The skeleton comprises the clavicle, scapular fragments, both humeri, both ulnae, both radii, and a fragmentary sacrum and os coxae, making this the most complete H. habilis skeleton recovered thus far. The upper limb elements are similar to those of other early Homo specimens. Notably, the humerus is slender with a weakly-projecting lateral epicondyle, a relatively wide capitulum and a narrow trochlea, and the ulna has a relatively large radial notch. Although KNM-ER 64061 does not preserve a lower limb, limited features of the ischium suggest lower limb mechanics more similar to Homo than to australopiths. Brachial index estimates support previous conclusions that H. habilis had a relatively long forearm compared to Homo erectus. All upper limb elements possess strikingly thick cortices, resembling the condition in australopiths and other early Homo fossils. The stature estimate of 160 cm based on humeral length is intermediate between those for H. habilis (OH 62, KNM-ER 3735) and H. erectus (KNM-ER 1808, KNM-WT 15000). The body mass estimate of 30.7-32.7 kg is slightly lower than other H. habilis specimens and noticeably lower than estimates for H. erectus. KNM-ER 64061 indicates that H. habilis retained more primitive proportions and was smaller in stature and mass than H. erectus.
Nothing is known about coccidians (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Pacific blue-tailed skink, Emoia caeruleocauda. Here, we report mensural and morphometric data on a new species of Isospora from E. caeruleocauda from Guam, US Territory. Feces from four E. caeruleocauda collected by hand in November 2023 were placed in individual vials containing 2.5
Abstract Rationale Research studies typically quantify acute respiratory exacerbation episodes (AECOPD) among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on self-report elicited by survey questionnaire. However, AECOPD quantification by self-report could be inaccurate, potentially rendering it an imprecise tool for identification of those with exacerbation tendency. Objective Determine the agreement between self-reported and health records-documented quantification of AECOPD and their association with airway inflammation. Methods We administered a questionnaire to elicit the incidence and severity of respiratory exacerbations in the three years preceding the survey among current or former heavy smokers with or without diagnosis of COPD. We then examined electronic health records (EHR) of those with COPD and those without (tobacco-exposed persons with preserved spirometry or TEPS) to determine whether the documentation of the three-year incidence of moderate to very severe respiratory exacerbations was consistent with self-report using Kappa Interrater statistic. A subgroup of participants also underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to quantify their airway inflammatory cells. We further used multivariable regressions analysis to estimate the association between respiratory exacerbations and BAL inflammatory cell composition with adjustment for covariates including age, sex, height, weight, smoking status (current versus former) and burden (pack-years). Results Overall, a total of 511 participants completed the questionnaire, from whom 487 had EHR available for review. Among the 222 participants with COPD (70 ± 7 years-old; 96% male; 70 ± 38 pack-years smoking; 42% current smoking), 57 (26%) reported having any moderate to very severe AECOPD (m/s-AECOPD) while 66 (30%) had EHR documentation of m/s-AECOPD. However, 42% of those with EHR-identified m/s-AECOPD had none by self-report, and 33% of those who reported m/s-AECOPD had none by EHR, suggesting only moderate agreement (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.47 ± 0.07; P < 0.001). Nevertheless, self-reported and EHR-identified m/s-AECOPD events were both associated with higher BAL neutrophils (ß ± SEM: 3.0 ± 1.1 and 1.3 ± 0.5 per 10% neutrophil increase; P ≤ 0.018) and lymphocytes (0.9 ± 0.4 and 0.7 ± 0.3 per 10% lymphocyte increase; P ≤ 0.041). Exacerbation by either measure combined was associated with a larger estimated effect (3.7 ± 1.2 and 1.0 ± 0.5 per 10% increase in neutrophils and lymphocytes, respectively) but was not statistically significantly different compared to the self-report only approach. Among the 184 TEPS participants, there were fewer moderate to very severe respiratory exacerbations by self-report (n = 15 or 8%) or EHR-documentation (n = 9 or 5%), but a similar level of agreement as those with COPD was observed (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.38 ± 0.07; P < 0.001). Discussion While there is modest agreement between self-reported and EHR-identified m/s-AECOPD, events are missed by relying on either method alone. However, m/s-AECOPD quantified by self-report or health records is associated with BAL neutrophilia and lymphocytosis.
Mycobacterium celatum is a slow-growing, non-tuberculous mycobacterium with occasional branching morphology that has been reported mainly in immunocompromised human patients and rarely in other animal species. A 5-y-old female ferret was presented to a veterinary clinic with a history of anorexia and lethargy; peripheral lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and pneumonia were detected. Despite treatment, progressive deterioration of the ferret's health led to euthanasia of the animal. Autopsy revealed numerous small 1-4-mm white nodules in the lung, spleen, and kidneys. Histologically, the kidney and lung nodules were pyogranulomas containing slender, elongate acid-fast bacilli with occasional branching. Bacterial culture was negative after 5 d of aerobic incubation. A PCR assay of kidney tissue was positive for Mycobacterium spp., with 100% DNA sequence similarity to M. celatum. M. celatum can cause systemic infection in humans and animals resembling tuberculoid mycobacterial infection. The diagnosis can be challenging due to cross-reactivity with tuberculosis-specific molecular assays and slow growth on bacterial culture. Although M. celatum has been reported elsewhere in ferrets more commonly than in other animals, M. celatum has not been reported previously in any animal species in North America, to our knowledge. M. celatum should be included as a potential pathogen in systemic mycobacterial infections, especially in ferrets.
