A Descriptive Analysis of the Epidemiology and Motivations for Laser Tattoo Removal in an Underserved Population

Journal of Community Health - Tattoos of formerly gang-involved and incarcerated individuals can negatively impact their ability to reintegrate into society. Laser tattoo removal is essential to...     

An evaluation of the selection process of Hospital Information Systems

This research study evaluates the selection process of a Hospital Information System (HIS), focusing on the level of compromise required by healthcare professionals during said process and the level of satisfaction achieved with the system selected. How other variables, such as job title, length of experience in the healthcare, data processing, and information systems fields affect these measured levels are also evaluated. Results of this study indicate that a HIS is critical to the viability of a hospital's operation and the level of compromises made during the selection process have an impact upon the how satisfied the healthcare provider is with the HIS they select.     

Factors associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in children with sickle cell disease: results from the DISPLACE study

Cardiopulmonary complications remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD). The overall goals of this study were to evaluate the relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and laboratory markers of hemolysis and determine the association between LVH and SCD-specific therapies (hydroxyurea and chronic red cell transfusion). Data from the DISPLACE (Dissemination and Implementation of Stroke Prevention Looking at the Care Environment) study cohort was used. LVH was defined based on the left ventricular mass indexed to the body surface area as left ventricular mass index >103.0 g/m² for males and >84.2 g/m² for females. There were 1,409 children included in the analysis and 20.3% had LVH. Results of multivariable analysis of LVH showed baseline hemoglobin levels were associated with the lower odds of having LVH (odds ratio [OR]: 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60– 0.84). The odds of LVH increases for every 1-year increase in age (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.13). Similarly, the odds of LVH were lower among males than females (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38-0.93). The odds of LVH were higher among those on hydroxyurea compared to no therapy (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.41–2.37). Overall results of the study showed that LVH occurs early in children with SCD and the risk increases with increasing age and with lower hemoglobin. Further, we found higher use of hydroxyurea among those with LVH, suggesting that the need for hydroxyurea conveys a risk of cardiovascular remodeling.     

Cluster of Norovirus Genogroup IX Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Facilities,Utah, USA, 2021

We report 5 clustered acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in long-term care facilities in Utah, USA, that were linked to healthcare employees working at multiple facilities. Four outbreaks were caused by norovirus genotype GIX. We recommend continued norovirus surveillance and genotyping to determine contributions of this genotype to norovirus outbreaks.     

款冬花的化学成分

从款冬花（Tussilago farfara L.0中分离得到四个倍半萜类化合物和两个苯二甲酸酯类化合物，经光谱分析确定其中两个倍半萜类化合物为新结构，命名为款冬花酮（tussilagonone,1)和新款冬花内酯（neotussilagolactone,2）。由血小板活化因子（PAF）引起的血小板聚集实验结果表明，两个新化合物均有较强的抑制PAF活性。     

Paget''s disease of the vulva and urogenital malignancies: A case report and review of the literature

The vulva is one of the extramammary sites which has a potential for developing Paget's Disease with which an underlying sweat gland carcinoma or breast carcinoma is frequently associated. Urogenital malignancy may be a third contender. Such a case managed by the authors herein reported and a review of the literature about such lesions support this assumption.     

Racial disparities and standard treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer: a National Cancer Database study

BackgroundMortality rates in colorectal cancer (CRC) continue to be higher in Black compared to White patients. While standard treatment modalities for locally advanced rectal cancer have been shown to improve outcomes, there are limited studies assessing the receipt of standard treatment in rectal cancer based on race. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the use of standard treatment across racial groups in locally advanced rectal cancer and its effect on survival.MethodsThe National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients ≥18 years old with clinical and pathologic stage II–III rectal adenocarcinoma who received treatment from 2004 to 2014. Standard treatment was defined as complete surgical excision with either neoadjuvant or adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify racial differences in receiving standard treatment. Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate the effects of standard vs. nonstandard treatment on survival differences based on race.ResultsA total of 70,677 patients with stage II (n=35,079) or stage III (n=35,598) rectal adenocarcinoma met the inclusion criteria. On multivariate analysis, Black [odds ratio (OR): 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71–0.79; P<0.001] and Hispanic White (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.80–0.92; P>0.001) patients were less likely to receive standard treatment compared to non-Hispanic White patients. On multivariable Cox regression, nonstandard treatment was significantly associated with worse survival [hazard ratio (HR): 1.69; 95% CI: 1.65–1.73; P<0.001] compared to standard treatment. Even after adjusting for patient, demographic, and facility characteristics, Black patients had higher mortality rates compared to White patients in the whole population (HR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.09–1.20; P<0.0001). This survival difference between Black and non-Hispanic White patients persisted in both the standard (HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.03–1.19; P=0.008) and nonstandard (HR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.10–1.25; P<0.0001) treatment subgroups. Decreased survival outcomes in Black patients were more pronounced for those who underwent nonstandard treatment, particularly when treating stage III disease (HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.19–1.42; P<0.0001).ConclusionsNonstandard treatment in stage II and III rectal cancer is associated with worse survival compared to standard treatment regimens. Black patients are more likely to receive nonstandard treatment and have worse survival outcomes compared to White patients.