“Magnetic Resonance Imaging Negative Positron Emission Tomography Positive” Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: FDG-PET Pattern Differs from Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Purpose Some patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) lack evidence of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) on MRI (HS-ve). We hypothesized that this group would have a different pattern of 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) hypometabolism than typical mesial TLE/HS patients with evidence of hippocampal atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (HS+ve), with a lateral temporal neocortical rather than mesial focus. Procedures Thirty consecutive HS-ve patients and 30 age- and sex-matched HS+ve patients with well-lateralized EEG were identified. FDG-PET was performed on 28 HS-ve patients and 24 HS+ve patients. Both groups were compared using statistical parametric mapping (SPM), directly and with FDG-PET from 20 healthy controls. Results Both groups showed lateralized temporal hypometabolism compared to controls. In HS+ve, this was antero–infero–mesial (T = 17.13); in HS-ve the main clustering was inferolateral (T = 17.63). When directly compared, HS+ve had greater hypometabolism inmesial temporal/hippocampal regions (T = 4.86); HS-ve had greater inferolateral temporal hypometabolism (T = 4.18). Conclusions These data support the hypothesis that focal hypometabolism involves primarily lateal neocortical rather than mesial temporal structures in ‘MRI-negative PET-positive TLE.’     

Higher lung cancer risk for younger African-Americans with the Pro/Pro p53 genotype

A restriction fragment length polymorphism in codon 72 of thep53 gene has been implicated in lung cancer risk, although thefunctional significance of the polymorphism has not been determined.This association was examined in 109 lung cancer cases (67 African-Americanand 42 Mexican-American) and 114 controls (74 African-Americanand 40 Mexican-American) identified from a molecular epidemiologicalstudy of lung cancer. The susceptible Pro/ Pro genotype wasassociated with a 1.56-fold higher risk of lung cancer in African-Americansand a 1.95-fold in Mexican-Americans, although neither estimatewas statistically significant. In fact, the prevalence of thePro/Pro genotype was only 2.5% in Mexican-American controls,compared with 20.3% for African-American controls. Patientswith the susceptible genotype appeared to have earlier age atdiagnosis and lower mean cigarette pack-year exposures thandid patients with the Arg/Arg or Arg/Pro genotypes. Risk estimatesfor the susceptible genotype were 11.29 (1.1, 111.3) for patients<53 years of age and 14.1 (1.5, 130.6) for patients who reported<30 pack-years of smoking. The Pro/Pro genotype was not associatedwith elevated risk in older patients, nor with heavier smokers.If Pro/Pro is a susceptible genotype, the lower prevalence evidentin Mexican-Americans may partly explain their lower rates oflung cancer.     

Epidemiologic Survey of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Asia and Australia Using the International Prostate Symptom Score

Background The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms was determined by survey as an initial step in estimating the significance of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Asia and Australia.
Methods The symptom index (0 to 35) and quality-of-life (QOL) index (0 to 6) of the international prostate symptom score were measured in 7588 men in 9 Asian countries and 146 men in Australia.
Results The percentages of Asian men considered to be symptomatic (symptom index ≧ 8) were 18%, 29%, 40%, and 56% in the age groups of 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70 to 79 years, respectively. For Australian men, these figures were 36%, 33%, and 37% in the 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70 to 79 year age groups, respectively.
Conclusions Our estimates indicate that the prevalences of symptomatic men in Asia and Australia are similar to or greater than those in Europe and America, and suggest BPH is similarly common in these areas.     

Thymidylate synthase expression in hepatic tumors is a predictor of survival and progression in patients with resectable metastatic colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of thymidylate synthase (TS),p53, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) expressions in hepatic tumors in predicting overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and hepatic progression-free survival (HPFS) in patients with resectable metastatic colorectal cancer who were randomly assigned to receive either systemic chemotherapy (SYS) alone or systemic and hepatic arterial infusion (HAI+SYS) chemotherapy following liver surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tissues from metastatic tumors were collected during liver resection from 156 patients, and marker expressions were determined using immunohistochemistry on frozen samples. Univariate associations between marker expressions and baseline variables with OS, PFS, and HPFS were examined. Independent predictors of outcome were determined using a multivariate Cox model. RESULTS: In multivariate analyses, TS overexpression was found to be an independent factor of poor prognosis in OS (P <.01), PFS (P =.06), and HPFS (P <.01). In addition, resection margin was a significant independent factor for all three outcomes. Patients who received HAI+SYS experienced delayed progression in general, and in the liver, specifically. Increased levels of serum alkaline phosphatase correlated with hepatic progression. We also found a significant TS-treatment interaction for OS (P =.01) in multivariate analysis. In particular, TS+ patients receiving HAI+SYS had significantly higher survival than those receiving SYS (64 month sv 21 months; P =.01). CONCLUSION: TS levels in hepatic tumors and resection margin are independent predictors of survival and progression in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, whereas p53 and EGFR are not independent predictors. Treatment with HAI + SYS significantly improved the survival profile of TS+ patients.     

Solo and Partnered Sexual Behavior Among an International Sample of Adults With Spina Bifida

BackgroundSpina bifida (SB) may differentially impact adults’ participation in solo and partnered sexual behaviors, but little research investigates this topic.AimDescribe solo and partnered sexual behaviors among an international sample of adult men and women with SB.Main Outcome MeasuresEver participated (no/yes) and recent participation (>1 year ago/within last year) in solo masturbation, cuddled with a partner, held hands with a partner, kissed a partner, touched a partner's genital, had genitals touched by a partner, gave a partner oral sex, received oral sex from a partner, vaginal sex, anal sex, and sex toy use.MethodsData were drawn from a larger cross-sectional, internet-based survey assessing the sexual behaviors of an international sample of men and women with SB. We used logistic regression to examine the impact of background (gender, age, independent living, and relationship status) and health (shunt status, ambulation, and genital sensation) factors on each outcome.ResultsThe sample consisted of 345 respondents aged 18–73 years from 26 nations. Very few (<3%) had no lifetime experience with any solo or partnered behaviors; 25.0% reported participating in all behaviors at some point in their lives. The median number of past year sexual behaviors (of 16 total) was 7. Lifetime and recent participation were associated with demographic and health factors.Clinical ImplicationsDespite impairment, adults with spina bifida do participate in solo and partnered sexual behaviors. Medical personnel who work with this population should include discussions about sexuality as part of routine care.Strengths & LimitationsAlthough this research measured solo and partnered sexual behavior in large international sample of adults with spina bifida, it is limited by its cross-sectional retrospective design and non-clinical convenience sample.ConclusionDespite disability, many adults with SB participate in solo and partnered sexual behavior. Medical and psychosocial supports are needed to help adults in this population enjoy sexuality in a healthy and safe manner.Hensel DJ, Misseri R, Wiener JS, et al. Solo and Partnered Sexual Behavior Among an International Sample of Adults With Spina Bifida. J Sex Med 2022;19:1766–1777.     

The Relationship of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization and Population-Based Sibling Comparison Study

BackgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated, but it is unclear if this is a causal relationship or confounding. We used genetic analyses and sibling comparisons to clarify the direction of this relationship.MethodsLinkage disequilibrium score regression and 2-sample Mendelian randomization were used to test for genetic correlation (r_g) and bidirectional causal effects using European ancestry genome-wide association studies of ADHD (20,183 cases and 35,191 controls) and 6 PTSD definitions (up to 320,369 individuals). Several additional variables were included in the analysis to verify the independence of the ADHD-PTSD relationship. In a population-based sibling comparison (N = 2,082,118 individuals), Cox regression models were fitted to account for time at risk, a range of sociodemographic factors, and unmeasured familial confounders (via sibling comparisons).ResultsADHD and PTSD had consistent r_g (r_g range, 0.43–0.52; p < .001). ADHD genetic liability was causally linked with increased risk for PTSD (β = 0.367; 95% CI, 0.186–0.552; p = 7.68 × 10^?5). This result was not affected by heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy (Mendelian randomization Egger intercept = 4.34 × 10^?4, p = .961), or other phenotypes and was consistent across PTSD datasets. However, we found no consistent associations between PTSD genetic liability and ADHD risk. Individuals diagnosed with ADHD were at a higher risk for developing PTSD than their undiagnosed sibling (hazard ratio = 2.37; 95% CI, 1.98–3.53).ConclusionsOur findings add novel evidence supporting the need for early and effective treatment of ADHD, as patients with this diagnosis are at significantly higher risk to develop PTSD later in life.     

Barriers and facilitators for oncology nurses discussing sexual issues with men diagnosed with testicular cancer

PurposeTesticular cancer occurs at a time in a man's life when major social life changes are occurring and when body image, fertility, sexual desire and performance can be central issues. Oncology nurses, as members of the multidisciplinary team, are in an ideal position to address men's concerns. The aim of this study was to investigate oncology nurses' self-perceived knowledge and comfort in relation to discussing sexuality concerns with men diagnosed with testicular cancer and to identify the barriers and facilitators to such discussions.MethodsThis study employed a self-completion, anonymous survey design with a sample of registered nurses working in five, randomly chosen, oncology centres in Ireland.ResultsIn total, 89 questionnaires (45% response rate) were included for analysis. Findings suggest that although nurses were open to addressing concerns, few informed patients they were available to discuss sexual concerns. Nurses reported lacking knowledge of, and discomfort in, discussing the more intimate aspects of sexuality, including: ejaculatory difficulties, erectile dysfunction, impotence, prosthesis options and testicular self examination.ConclusionsFindings reinforce the need for more comprehensive education on sexuality issues and testicular cancer. Nurses need to take a more proactive approach to sexuality care, as opposed to the ‘passive waiting stance’ that permeates the current culture of care. Education programmes need to include specific information on sexual issues associated with testicular cancer, and oncology nurses must subsume sexuality as an essential aspect of their role through changes in policies and nursing care planning.     

Polygenic risk scores and breast and epithelial ovarian cancer risks for carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants

PurposeWe assessed the associations between population-based polygenic risk scores (PRS) for breast (BC) or epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with cancer risks for BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers.MethodsRetrospective cohort data on 18,935 BRCA1 and 12,339 BRCA2 female pathogenic variant carriers of European ancestry were available. Three versions of a 313 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) BC PRS were evaluated based on whether they predict overall, estrogen receptor (ER)–negative, or ER-positive BC, and two PRS for overall or high-grade serous EOC. Associations were validated in a prospective cohort.ResultsThe ER-negative PRS showed the strongest association with BC risk for BRCA1 carriers (hazard ratio [HR] per standard deviation = 1.29 [95% CI 1.25–1.33], P = 3×10⁻⁷²). For BRCA2, the strongest association was with overall BC PRS (HR = 1.31 [95% CI 1.27–1.36], P = 7×10⁻⁵⁰). HR estimates decreased significantly with age and there was evidence for differences in associations by predicted variant effects on protein expression. The HR estimates were smaller than general population estimates. The high-grade serous PRS yielded the strongest associations with EOC risk for BRCA1 (HR = 1.32 [95% CI 1.25–1.40], P = 3×10⁻²²) and BRCA2 (HR = 1.44 [95% CI 1.30–1.60], P = 4×10⁻¹²) carriers. The associations in the prospective cohort were similar.ConclusionPopulation-based PRS are strongly associated with BC and EOC risks for BRCA1/2 carriers and predict substantial absolute risk differences for women at PRS distribution extremes.