Imaging in secondary tumors of the ovary

Abdominal Radiology - Metastatic involvement of the ovaries is not rare. The most common tumor types metastasizing to the ovaries, from non-gynecological organs, are breast, colorectal, gastric,...     

Sociodemographic determinants of Malaysian household’s use of and expenditure on alcohol: a regional comparison

Abstract

Aims: Alcohol consumption has become a serious public health concern. The objective of the present study is to investigate sociodemographic factors associated with alcohol consumption across regions of Malaysia.

Methods: Data are obtained from the Malaysian Household Expenditure Survey 2014, which contains 10,665 observations. Double-hurdle model is used to examine the consumption decision and amount decision of alcohol among households. Analyses are stratified by regions (Northern, East coast, Central and Southern).

Findings: Results show that age, household size, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, employment status, location of residence and tobacco consumption are independently associated with alcohol consumption. Households headed by males and well-educated individuals are more likely to consume alcohol and also spend more compared with households headed by females and less-educated individuals. Being employed, non-Bumiputera and tobacco consumption seem to increase the likelihood of consuming alcohol. Household size is negatively associated with the amount spent on alcohol.

Conclusion: In conclusion, sociodemographic factors play an important role in determining alcohol consumption. It appears that factors associated with alcohol consumption vary across regions. Hence, policies that address regional differences in the sociodemographic factors associated with alcohol consumption are needed.     

In vitro genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of doxepin and escitalopram on human peripheral lymphocytes

Antidepressants are drugs used for the treatment of many psychiatric conditions including depression. There are findings suggesting that these drugs might have genotoxic, carcinogenic, and/or mutagenic effects. Therefore, the present in vitro study is intended to investigate potential genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of the antidepressants escitalopram (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and doxepin (Tricyclic antidepressant) on human peripheral lymphocytes cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and single cell gel electrophoresis (alkaline comet assay) were used for the purpose of the study. In the study, four different concentrations of both drugs (1, 2.5, 5, and 10?µg/mL) were administered to human peripheral lymphocytes for 24?h. The tested concentrations of both drugs were found to exhibit no cytotoxic and mitotic inhibitory effects. SCE increase caused by 5 and 10?µg/mL of escitalopram was found statistically significant, while no statistically significant increase was observed in DNA damage and micronucleus (MN) formation. Moreover, the increase caused by doxepin in MN formation was not found statistically significant. Besides, 10?µg/mL of doxepin was demonstrated to significantly increase arbitrary unit and SCE formation. These findings suggest that the investigated concentrations of escitalopram and doxepin were non-cytotoxic but potentially genotoxic at higher concentrations.     

Situs inversus totalis with accompanying craniodiaphysial dysplasia: a new syndrome?

A 20-year-old man with craniofacial anomalies of craniodiaphysial dysplasia (CDD), facial paralysis, mental retardation, and situs inversus totalis is described. Similar features except situs inversus totalis are also present in two of his sisters. The authors believe this to be the first reported case of CDD with accompanying situs inversus totalis.     

Carotid Artery Doppler Flow Pattern After Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Neonatal Piglets

The mechanisms of cerebral injury after cardiac surgery in neonates are not clear. The aim of the study was the analysis of flow changes in the carotid artery of neonatal piglets after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Eight neonatal piglets were connected to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and underwent (i) cooling to 18°C core temperature within 30 min, (ii) DHCA for 90 min, and finally (iii) rewarming to 37°C after cross‐clamp release (60 min of reperfusion). The blood flow was measured in the left carotid artery by an ultrasonic flow probe before CPB (baseline; T₀), immediately after termination of reperfusion on CPB (T₁), 30 min later (T₂), and 60 min later (T₃). Additionally, the pulsatility index and the resistance index were calculated and compared. Finally, the relationship between the carotid artery flow and the corresponding pressure at each time‐point was compared. After termination of CPB (T₁), the mean carotid artery flow was reduced from 45.26 ± 2.58 mL/min at baseline to 23.29 ± 2.58 mL/min (P < 0.001) and remained reduced 30 and 60 min later (P < 0.001 vs. baseline). Both the pulsatility index and the resistance index were increased after termination of reperfusion, with the maximum occurring 30 min after CPB end. In conclusion, the carotid artery Doppler flow in neonatal piglets was reduced after DHCA, while the indices of pulsatility and resistance increased.