Substance use and associated emotional and behavioral problems in Nepalese adolescents

Background: Research has demonstrated that problem behavior has been associated with substance use, but knowledge is lacking on such associations in a low-income country like Nepal. Aims: This study aimed to find associations between emotional and behavioral problems and substance use among Nepalese adolescents. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the end of 2011, with participants from three schools in the Province 4 of Nepal. We selected 408 adolescents aged 12 to 18 (mean 15.2 years, 54% boys) at one urban and two rural schools. The data were collected using the Youth Self-Report and Adolescents’ Substance Use Measurement. Results: Higher scores on withdrawn/depressed symptoms, thought problems, attention problems, delinquent or aggressive behavior or internalizing or externalizing problems were associated with the use of tobacco, alcohol or other substances. In the broadband scales, only internalizing problems predicted the use of intoxicants. Higher scores for attention problems predicted the use of tobacco, any intoxicants, and high-risk user. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that problem behavior among Nepalese adolescents was associated with substance use. Future studies should explore the association between problem behavior and substance use, including causal factors, so that risky behavior among Nepalese adolescents can be prevented.     

Feasibility and safety of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in patients with small renal masses: Results of a prospective study

Background

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) has the potential to overcome limitations of thermal ablation, enabling small renal mass (SRM) ablation near vital structures.

Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis treated with multimodal therapy improves coagulopathy and reduces blood angiopoietin‐2 levels

Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA) is a rare, life‐threatening congenital lymphatic malformation. Diagnosis is often delayed due to complex indistinct symptoms. Blood angiopoietin‐2 (ANG2) levels are elevated in KLA and may be useful as a biomarker to monitor disease status. We report a 7‐year‐old male child with easy bruising, inguinal swelling, and consumptive coagulopathy, diagnosed with KLA. A multimodal treatment regimen of prednisone, sirolimus, vincristine, and adjunctive zoledronate was used. Plasma ANG2 levels were highly elevated at diagnosis but decreased during treatment. The patient showed significant clinical improvement over a 38‐month period and normalization of ANG2 levels correlated with resolution of the coagulopathy.     

Fertility-sparing surgery for patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: 10 years of clinical experience from a tertiary referral center

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics - To describe a case series of patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCT) treated exclusively with fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) with or...     

Clinical and Multimodal Imaging Findings and Risk Factors for Ocular Involvement in a Presumed Waterborne Toxoplasmosis Outbreak,Brazil

In 2015, an outbreak of presumed waterborne toxoplasmosis occurred in Gouveia, Brazil. We conducted a 3-year prospective study on a cohort of 52 patients from this outbreak, collected clinical and multimodal imaging findings, and determined risk factors for ocular involvement. At baseline examination, 12 (23%) patients had retinochoroiditis; 4 patients had bilateral and 2 had macular lesions. Multimodal imaging revealed 2 distinct retinochoroiditis patterns: necrotizing focal retinochoroiditis and punctate retinochoroiditis. Older age, worse visual acuity, self-reported recent reduction of visual acuity, and presence of floaters were associated with retinochoroiditis. Among patients, persons >40 years of age had 5 times the risk for ocular involvement. Five patients had recurrences during follow-up, a rate of 22% per person-year. Recurrences were associated with binocular involvement. Two patients had late ocular involvement that occurred >34 months after initial diagnosis. Patients with acquired toxoplasmosis should have long-term ophthalmic follow-up, regardless of initial ocular involvement.     

Real-World Effectiveness of Anti-Resorptive Treatment in Patients With Incident Fragility Fractures—The STORM Cohort—A Swedish Retrospective Observational Study

Results from real-world evidence (RWE) from the largest healthcare region in Sweden show low uptake of antiresorptive (AR) treatment, but beneficial effect in those receiving treatment, especially for the composite outcome of hip fracture or death. For RWE studies, Sweden is unique, with virtually complete coverage of electronic medical records (EMRs) and both regional and national registries, in a universal publicly funded healthcare system. To our knowledge, there is no previous RWE study evaluating the efficacy of AR treatment compared to no AR treatment after fragility fracture, including data on parenteral treatments administered in hospital settings. The Stockholm Real World Management (STORM) study cohort was established in the healthcare region of Stockholm to retrospectively assess the effectiveness of AR treatment after first fragility fracture using the regional EMR system for both hospital and primary care. Between 2012 and 2018, we identified 69,577 fragility fracture episodes among 59,078 patients, men and women, 50 years and older. Of those, 21,141 patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria (eligible cohort). From these, the final matched study cohort comprised 9840 fragility fractures (cases receiving AR treatment [n = 1640] and controls not receiving AR treatment [n = 8200]). Propensity scores were estimated using logistic regression models with AR treatment as outcome and confounders as independent variables followed by analysis using Cox proportional hazard models. Real world evidence from Sweden's largest healthcare region, comprising a quarter of the Swedish population, show that only 10% of patients receive AR treatment within 1 year after a fragility fracture. Factors associated with not receiving treatment include having a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. In those treated, AR have positive effects particularly on the composite of fracture and death (any fracture/death and hip fracture/death) in individuals matched for all major confounders. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

Glutathione S-transferase Polymorphisms in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Chemotherapy and/or Radiotherapy

Background/Aim: The Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are important carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes. Polymorphisms involved in these enzymes can modulate the development and treatment of head and neck cancer. To investigate the association of GSTs polymorphisms with head and neck cancer and risk factors, clinical-pathological features, and survival time of the patients treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Methods: The GST gene polymorphisms were evaluated in 197 cases and 514 controls by PCR-RFLP-Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. Results: The GSTP-313 was associated with a decreased risk for HNSCC (p=0.050). The GSTP1 haplotype analysis revealed a higher frequency of the AC and AT haplotypes in the case group than in the control group (p=0.013 and p=0.019, respectively), and the opposite for G-C haplotype (p = 0.015). Yet, the different combinations between the genotypes were associated with an increased risk of cancer. The study showed no association between the polymorphisms and primary tumor site, clinical-pathological characteristics, treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) and survival time of the patients. Conclusion: The GST polymorphisms combination showed an increased risk for carcinogenesis, and studies with larger casuistry can contribute to the clarification of the role in individual patient differences for the response to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and identify biomarkers of susceptibility.