Alterations in cortical parvalbumin (PV)-containing neurons, including a reduced density of detectable neurons and lower PV levels, have frequently been reported in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of schizophrenia subjects. Most PV neurons are surrounded by perineuronal nets (PNNs) and the density of PNNs, as detected by Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) labeling, has been reported to be lower in schizophrenia. However, the nature of these PNN alterations, and their relationship to disease-related changes in PV neurons, has not been assessed. Using confocal microscopy, we quantified the densities and fluorescence intensities of PV neurons and PNNs labeled with WFA or immunoreactive for the major PNN protein, aggrecan, in the DLPFC from schizophrenia and matched comparison subjects. In schizophrenia, the densities of PV cells and of PNNs were not altered; however, the fluorescence intensities of PV immunoreactivity in cell bodies and of WFA labeling and aggrecan immunoreactivity in individual PNNs around PV cells were lower. These findings indicate that the normal complements of PV cells and PNNs are preserved in schizophrenia, but the levels of PV protein and of individual PNN components, especially the carbohydrate moieties on proteoglycans to which WFA binds, are lower. Given the roles of PV neurons in regulating DLPFC microcircuits and of PNNs in regulating PV cellular physiology, the identified alterations in PV neurons and their PNNs could contribute to DLPFC dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Objectives The goal of this study was to describe outcomes and associated characteristics of patients who were intubated during the initial (3/2020‐4/2020) New York City surge of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID‐19) pandemic, during which time we were confronted by an unknown and unprecedented respiratory distress syndrome with extremely high degrees of morbidity and mortality. Our secondary aim was to analyze our physician's rapidly evolving approaches to COVID‐19 airway management. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis of all patients intubated at two emergency departments (EDs) for COVID‐19 suspected respiratory failure. In addition, a survey was done to analyze clinician airway management trends and attitudes as they evolved during that period. Results Ninety‐five patients met inclusion criteria for the study. Primary outcomes looked at the spectrum of mortality outcomes ranging from died on arrival (DOA) to the ED, died in the ED (DED), died an inpatient (DIH), and survival to discharge. Overall mortalitywas 71.6% with an average age of 62.7 years. Female sex, as a demographic, was associated with higher rates of survival to discharge at 42.3% when compared to males at 23.2% (P < 0.001). Mean age was 70.8 years DOA, 65.6 years DED, 62.9 years DIH, and 60.0 years for survivors (P = 0.0037). Initial lactate levels were 8.15 mmol/L DED, 3.56 mmol/L DIH, and 2.61 mmol/L survivors (P < 0.0001). Initial creatinine levels were 3.38 mg/dL DED, 1.94 mg/dL DIH, and 1.77 mg/dL survivors (P = 0.0073). D‐dimer levels were 7520.5 ng/mL DED, 5932.4 ng/mL DIH, and 1133.9 ng/mL survivors (P = 0.0045). Physician survey respondents reported high levels (69%) of laryngeal edema and prolonged post intubation hypoxia (>50% of time) and >80% remained concerned for their safety. There was a dramatic shift from early (73% of time) to late intubation strategies (67% of time) or non‐invasive approaches (28% of time) as the first surge of the pandemic evolved. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that several demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters correlated with mortality in our cohort of patients intubated during the initial phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic. These included male sex, advanced age, high levels of initial lactic acidosis, elevated D‐dimer, and chronic kidney disease/acute kidney injury. In contrast, presenting respiratory characteristics were not correlated with mortality. In addition, our findings demonstrate that physician attitudes and strategies related to COVID‐19 airway management evolved significantly and rapidly over the initial phase of the pandemic.

It is estimated that 20 million people in the United States have gallbladder disease. Of the patients who present to the Emergency Department (ED) with abdominal pain, 3-10% have acute cholecystitis [1]. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) evaluation of the biliary system is a valuable tool to diagnose gallbladder disease and can greatly expedite the diagnostic evaluation of patients. One source of error in POCUS of the gallbladder is imaging nearby structures that can mimic the gallbladder, such as the duodenum.

vomiting, patients with history or family history of chronic disease, disorders of lipid metabolism, and myocardial infarction presentations in 2020 compared to 2019. Dispositions also significantly differed in 2020 compared to 2019 with more patients receiving admission or dying in the ED (p<0.001). Patients who presented to the ED often presented with more severe illness in 2020 as reflected in increased length of stay in 2020 (p¼0.01) and increased case-medical-index (p<0.001).Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the total number of ED visits to HMC in Flint, Michigan in 2020, when compared to the same time period in 2019. Notably, patients were more likely to have a longer length-of-stay, present with more severe illness, and more likely to be admitted or pass away in the ED when compared to the same time period in 2019. Analysis also revealed that visits for respiratory diagnoses and other life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction increased, whereas less life-threatening/acute conditions like sprains, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted infections decreased. Interestingly as well, the pandemic drove statistically significant increased visits for mental health and socioeconomic factors. Limitations include analyzing 6 months of data as opposed to the whole calendar year and the use of broad ICD-10 code categories. It is also important to note that diagnosis codes were analyzed versus what the patient subjectively presented for, so there is a gray area between being able to elucidate what motivated the patient to come to the ED and verus what was analyzed in this project as patient's ICD-10 diagnoses.