Study sponsorshipThis study received no external funding

Objective. To determine the prevalence of antihigh-density lipoprotein (anti-HDL) antibodies and to establish a possible relationship between anti-HDL, anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-␤ 2 -glycoprotein I (anti-␤ 2 GPI), and paraoxonase (PON) activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).Methods. Thirty-two patients with SLE and 36 with primary APS were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Twenty age-and sex-matched healthy subjects were used as controls. Serum levels of IgG and IgM aCL, anti-␤ 2 GPI, and antiprothrombin antibodies and IgG anti-HDL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, HDL 2 , and HDL 3 were determined by standard enzymatic techniques. PON activity was assessed by quantification of nitrophenol formation, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by chemiluminescence.Results. Levels of total HDL, HDL 2 , and HDL 3 were reduced in patients with SLE compared with controls (mean ؎ SD 0.51 ؎ 0.3, 0.37 ؎ 0.3, and 0.14 ؎ 0.1 mmoles/liter, respectively, versus 1.42 ؎ 0.9, 1.01 ؎ 0.7, and 0.40 ؎ 0.2). Patients with SLE and primary APS had higher titers of anti-HDL antibodies and lower PON activity than controls. In the SLE population, PON activity was inversely correlated with IgG anti-HDL titers (r ‫؍‬ ؊0.48, P ‫؍‬ 0.005) whereas in the primary APS population, IgG anti-␤ 2 GPI was the only independent predictor of PON activity (r ‫؍‬ ؊0.483, P ‫؍‬ 0.003). In the SLE group, anti-HDL was inversely correlated with TAC (r ‫؍‬ ؊0.40, P < 0.02), and PON activity was positively correlated with TAC (r ‫؍‬ 0.43, P < 0.02).Conclusion. IgG anti-HDL and IgG anti-␤ 2 GPI antibodies are associated with reduced PON activity in patients with SLE and primary APS. Since the physiologic role of PON is to prevent low-density lipoprotein oxidation with its attendant atherogenic effects, the reported interactions may be relevant to the development of atherosclerosis in SLE and primary APS.

The aim of this study is to accurately distinguish Parkinson's disease (PD) participants from healthy controls using self-administered tests of gait and postural sway. Using consumer-grade smartphones with in-built accelerometers, we objectively measure and quantify key movement severity symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Specifically, we record tri-axial accelerations, and extract a range of different features based on the time and frequencydomain properties of the acceleration time series. The features quantify key characteristics of the acceleration time series, and enhance the underlying differences in the gait and postural sway accelerations between PD participants and controls. Using a random forest classifier, we demonstrate an average sensitivity of 98.5% and average specificity of 97.5% in discriminating PD participants from controls.

SummaryWe sought to characterize recommendations and feedback of patients with Parkinson disease, each offered a free telemedicine consultation with a specialist. Visits consisted of history, neurologic examination, and recommendations. Midway through the program, patients were asked to complete an online satisfaction survey. From August 2012 to May 2013, 55 patients in 5 states (mean age 67.8 years) participated, with 80% of visits conducted from their home. Patients with Parkinson disease were recommended to exercise (86%), change current medication (63%), and add new medication (53%). Thirty-three of 35 consecutive patients completed a survey. Patient satisfaction exceeded 90% for virtually all aspects of the visit measured. Providing care to patients in their homes via telemedicine is feasible, results in changes to care, and is well-received.

Background. In the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many Complex General Surgical Oncology (CGSO) fellowship programs implemented virtual interviews (VI) during the 2020 interview season. At our institution, we had the unique opportunity to conduct an inperson interview (IPI) prior to the pandemic-related travel restrictions, and a VI after the restrictions were in place. Objective. The goal of this study was to understand how the VI model compares with the traditional IPI approach. Methods. Online surveys were distributed to both groups, collecting feedback on their interview experience. Responses were evaluated using a two-sample t test assuming equal variances. Results. Twenty-three of 26 (88%) applicants completed the survey. Most applicants reported that the interview gave them a satisfactory understanding of the CGSO fellowship (100% IPI, 92% VI) and the majority in both groups felt that the interview experience allowed them to accurately represent themselves (92% and 82%, respectively). All participants in the IPI group felt they were able to get an adequate understanding of the culture of the program, while only 64% in the VI group agreed with that statement (p = 0.02). IPI applicants were more likely to