Conduct Disorder Symptoms and Illicit Drug Use in Juvenile Justice Involved Youth: The Reciprocal Relationship Between Positive Illicit Drug-Use Attitudes and Illicit Drug Use

Conduct disorder (CD) symptoms cooccur at high rates with illicit drug use in juvenile justice involved youth, which results in poorer outcomes; however, research has not identified where best to intervene in this relationship, limiting the identification of modifiable risk factors to reduce negative effects of CD symptoms. Two mediation models were examined to investigate the potential for CD symptoms to influence a reciprocal relationship between illicit drug use and positive drug attitudes, controlling for age, gender, and race. Data were examined for 245 juvenile justice involved youth (mean age = 15.46, SD = 1.30, range 12–18, 64.9% Black, 80.4% male) who completed court-ordered psychological assessments. Findings indicate: (1) Positive attitudes toward illicit drug use significantly mediated the relationship between CD symptoms and illicit drug use (β = 0.16, CI 0.09–0.27; test for indirect effect z = 4.17, p < .001) and (2) illicit drug use significantly mediated the relationship between CD symptoms and positive attitudes toward illicit drug use (β = 0.20, CI 0.12–0.32; test for indirect effect z = 4.87, p < .001). Overall, the present study suggests that CD symptoms impart risk for illicit drug use both indirectly, through more positive attitudes toward illicit drug use, and directly, which further strengthens positive attitudes toward illicit drug use.     

Risk assessment of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) in cosmetics

N-nitrosamines and their precursors found in cosmetics may be carcinogenic in humans. Thus the aim of this study was to carry out risk assessment for N-nitrosamines (N-nitrosodiethanolamine [NDELA], N-nitrosodiethylamine [NDEA]) and amines (triethanolamine [TEA], diethanolamine [DEA]) levels in cosmetics determined using validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) procedures. NDELA and NDEA concentrations were present at levels of “not detected” (N.D.) to 596.5 μg/kg and N.D. to 40.9 μg/kg, respectively. TEA and DEA concentrations ranged from N.D. to 860 μg/kg and N.D. to 26.22 μg/kg, respectively. The nitrite concentration (3–2250 mg/l), number of nitrosating agents to a maximum 5, and pH (3.93–10.09) were also assessed. The impact of N-nitrosamine formation on the levels of TEA, DEA, nitrite, and other nitrosating agents was also examined. N-nitrosamine concentrations correlated with the number of nitrosating agents and nitrite concentrations. Data demonstrated that higher nitrite concentrations and a greater number of nitrosating agents increased NDELA and NDEA yields. Further, the presence of TEA and DEA exerted a significant influence on N-nitrosamine formation. Risk assessments, including the margin of exposure (MOE) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) for N-nitrosamines and margin of safety (MOS) for amines, were calculated using product type, use pattern, and concentrations. Exposure to maximum amounts of NDELA and NDEA resulted in MOE > 10,000 (based upon the benchmark dose lower confidence limit 10%) and LCR <1 × 10^?5, respectively. In addition, TEA and DEA concentrations in cosmetic samples resulted in MOS values >100. Therefore, no apparent safety concerns were associated with cosmetic products containing NDELA, NDEA, TEA, and DEA in this study. However, since amines and nitrosating agents produce carcinogenic nitrosamines, their use in cosmetics needs to be minimized to levels as low as technically feasible.     

Association between missed appointment and related factors of patients with cancer in a tertiary hospital

For the hospital administration, 1 major responsibility is to prevent the outflow of existing patients and minimize losses because of the failure of patients with cancer to attend appointments. We analyzed the association between no‐show rates and characteristics of patients with cancer at a tertiary hospital in Seoul using patient affair data. Among the 680 190 patients, no‐show rates were 4.39% and 3.37% for males and females, respectively. Male patients with colon and rectum, pancreas, and liver cancer had higher no‐show rates (5.81%, 5.8%, and 5.1%). Among females, pancreas, colon and rectum, and liver cancer were associated with high no‐show rates (5.65%, 5.44%, and 4.92%). For both males and females, liver (males: OR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.68‐2.44; females: OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.60‐2.28) and pancreas (males: OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.57‐2.50; females: OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.61‐2.42) cancer were associated with high no‐show rates. To reduce the rate of no‐shows, hospitals should establish and enforce “missed appointment” policies as well as its effect upon health outcome.     

The RANTES -403G>A promoter polymorphism in Korean men: association with serum RANTES concentration and coronary artery disease

In the present study we investigated the association of the RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) -28C>G and -403G>A promoter polymorphisms with the concentration of serum RANTES and CAD (coronary artery disease) in Korean men. We included 553 male CAD patients with (n=176) or without (n=377) Type 2 diabetes, aged 40-65 years with previous myocardial infarction ( approximately 50%) or angiographically confirmed CAD ( approximately 50%), and 416 aged-matched healthy male controls. The main outcome measures were the OR (odds ratio) of CAD risk and the serum RANTES concentration evaluated by sandwich ELISA. Although the RANTES -28C>G genotype had no significant association with CAD risk, the presence of the minor allele of the RANTES -403G>A single nucleotide polymorphism was associated with a lower risk of CAD {OR 0.70 [95% CI (confidence interval) 0.54-0.92], P=0.011} after adjusting for age, BMI (body mass index), cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Serum RANTES concentrations were significantly associated with the -403G>A genotype in controls (G/G: 44.7+/-3.3 ng/ml, G/A: 36.5+/-2.0 ng/ml, A/A: 28.7+/-2.5 ng/ml; P<0.001), non-diabetic CAD patients (G/G: 50.9+/-3.0 ng/ml, G/A: 42.2+/-2.6 ng/ml, A/A: 41.3+/-4.4 ng/ml; P<0.05) and diabetic CAD patients (G/G: 58.5+/-3.5 ng/ml, G/A: 49.6+/-4.1 ng/ml, A/A: 42.2+/-4.3 ng/ml; P<0.05); however, such associations were not observed in the subgroup of CAD patients taking lipid-lowering medication. Moreover, serum RANTES was positively correlated with C-reactive protein (r=0.289, P<0.001) and platelet counts (r=0.253, P<0.001). The results of the present study demonstrate that the RANTES -403A allele is associated with lower serum RANTES concentrations and consequently with reduced CAD risk.     

Sonographic diagnosis of a saccular aneurysm of the internal jugular vein

Aneurysm of the internal jugular vein is an extremely rare condition. It is usually detected during childhood and is characterized by being more prominent during Valsalva maneuvers such as vomiting, coughing, and straining. Most of the cases reported in the English literature are fusiform aneurysms of the internal jugular vein. We report the case of a saccular aneurysm of the left internal jugular vein in a 59-year-old woman with no change in size of the aneurysm during a Valsalva manuever.     

Seeking better topical delivery technologies of moisturizing agents for enhanced skin moisturization

Introduction: An adequate hydration level is essential to maintain epidermal barrier functions and normal physiological activities of skin tissues. Diverse moisturizing agents and pharmaceutical formulations for dermal deliveries have thus extensively been investigated. This review comprehensively discusses scientific outcomes of moisturizing agents and pharmaceutical vehicles for skin moisturization, thereby providing insight into designing innovative pharmaceutical formulations for effective skin moisturization.

Areas covered: We discussed the functions of various moisturizing agents ranging from conventional creams to novel moisturizers which has recently been explored. In addition, novel pharmaceutical formulations for efficient dermal delivery of the moisturizers, in particular, nanocarriers, were discussed along with their uses in commercial products.

Expert opinion: Although various moisturizing agents have demonstrated their promising effects, exploitation of pharmaceutical formulations for their dermal delivery have been limited to few commonly used moisturizing agents. Thus, combinatorial investigation of novel moisturizers and pharmaceutical vehicles should be further conducted. As a new concept for improving skin moisturization, skin regeneration technologies using therapeutic cells have recently shown great promise for skin moisturization, but major challenges remain, such as efficient delivery and prolonged survival of such cells. Thus, novel approaches for improving skin moisturization require continuous efforts of pharmaceutical scientists to address the remaining problems.     

Impact of total body weight on acute kidney injury in patients with gram-negative bacteremia

Background: The impact of total body weight (TBW) on the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with gram-negative bacteremia has not been previously evaluated.

Methods: The cohort included 323 patients >/ = 18 years old with gram-negative bacteremia (1/1/2008–8/31/2011) who received >/ = 48 hours of antibiotics. We compared the incidence of AKI in patients with a TBW </ = 80kg vs. >80kg with a multivariable stepwise logistic regression adjusting for age >/ = 70 years, baseline serum creatinine of > 2.0 mg/dl, and receipt of a vasopressor. AKI was defined as an increase of 0.5 mg/dL or a > 50% increase from baseline for at least two consecutive days.

Results: The cohort was 62% TBW </ = 80kg and 38% TBW >80kg. TBW >80kg patients had higher risk of AKI (24% vs. 9%, p < 0.001), which was significant in the multivariable analysis (OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.73–6.73). A baseline serum creatinine of > 2.0 mg/dl and vasopressor use were also independently associated with AKI.

Conclusions: TBW >80kg was associated with the development of AKI. However, the mechanism for this association is not clear.     

Incidence rate and predictors of recurrent aneurysms after clipping: long-term follow-up study of survivors of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Neurosurgical Review - Recurrent aneurysms are a major cause of re-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), but information on long-term clip durability and predictors is insufficient. This study...     

Large liver cell dysplasia in hepatitis B virus x transgenic mouse liver and human chronic hepatitis B virus-infected liver

OBJECTIVES: Large liver cell dysplasia (LCD) is frequently associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV), but it remains uncertain whether it is reactive, senescent or preneoplastic. METHODS: The HBX transgenic mice and normal control mice were sacrificed at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 months after birth. Twenty-three cases of human B viral chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis with prominent LCD were selected. The immunohistochemical stain of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) were evaluated. RESULTS: In HBX transgenic mice, LCD was developed since 3 months and formed small nodules of hepatocellular adenoma, which progressed to hepatocellular carcinoma. The hepatocytes with LCD in HBX transgenic mice showed significantly higher PCNA-labeling index (LI) and lower TUNEL-LI than normal hepatocytes of control mice (p < 0.05). In the majority of human B viral chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis, the hepatocytes with LCD revealed higher PCNA-LI and lower TUNEL-LI than those without, when compared in each case using the same tissue block. SA-beta-Gal staining showed no difference between hepatocytes with and without LCD. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that LCD, related to HBV, might not be just an innocent bystander, but closely related to hepatocarcinogenesis.