Musculoskeletal pain,depression, and stress among Latino manual laborers in North Carolina

The jobs of Latino manual laborers place their mental and physical health at risk. This study evaluates the associations among musculoskeletal pain, mental health, and work organization in Latino manual laborers. Farmworkers and nonfarmworkers (n = 189) in North Carolina were interviewed for self-reported musculoskeletal pain, depressive symptoms, stress, work safety climate, and precarious job status. More nonfarmworkers than farmworkers had neck and shoulder pain, but they did not differ in other areas of musculoskeletal pain. Depressive symptoms had a significant association with neck and shoulder pain (p < .05). Precariousness had a significant association with back pain (p < .05). Farmworker participants had H-2A visas and were afforded some protection compared to nonfarmworker manual workers. Research is needed to improve policy that relieves pain and improves mental health for all Latino manual workers.     

Translocation between chromosome 5q35 and chromosome 11q13 – an unusual cytogenetic finding in a primary refractory acute myeloid leukemia

Cytogenetic abnormalities are observed in approximately two‐thirds of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Chromosome rearrangements are associated with specific subtypes of AML and associated prognosis. We report a patient with AML, M2, who was primarily refractory to standard induction chemotherapy with idarubicin and cytarabine. Flow cytometry of a bone marrow aspirate showed aberrant expression of B‐cell markers including CD19. Cytogenetic studies disclosed a translocation between 5q35 and 11q13. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses demonstrated that neither the NSD1 nor MLL genes were involved in this case. Further study is required to define conclusively the genes involved and their contribution to pathogenesis in this case.     

Alcohol consumption patterns and predictors of use following liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease.

For patients who receive a liver transplant (LTX) for alcoholic liver disease (ALD), investigators are focusing beyond survival to determine specific alcohol use outcomes. Studies suggest the use of alcohol ranges from 8 to 22% for the first post-transplant year with cumulative rates reaching 30 to 40% by 5 years following transplantation. Yet while investigators are interested in determining specific rates of alcohol use and predictors of use, only three studies since 1990 have been prospective. In 1998, we began a prospective study of post-LTX alcohol consumption in ALD recipients using multiple repeated measures of alcohol use. After 5 years of follow-up, we found that 22% had used any alcohol by the first year and 42% had a drink by 5 years. By 5 years, 26% drank at a heavier use (binge) pattern and 20% drank in a frequent pattern. In a univariate model, predictors of alcohol use included pre-transplant length of sobriety, a diagnosis of alcohol dependence, a history of other substance use, and prior alcohol rehabilitation.     

Ureteral carcinoid tumor

Most ureteral tumors are transitional cell neoplasms. Neuroendocrine tumors of the genitourinary tract are extremely rare. To our knowledge, only one ureteral carcinoid tumor has been reported before. We report a second case of ureteral carcinoid tumor found in a 70-year-old female.     

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor in ileal neobladder

Abstract  Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a recently described mesenchymal tumor that can develop in any portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The occurrence of a GIST in the urinary tract is rare, but GIST can present as tumor of the urinary tract or invade the urinary tract. This is the first reported case of GIST in the ileal neobladder, which presented as a submucosal tumor. The patient underwent an open exploration and partial resection of the neobladder pouch.