The association between oral contraceptive pills and ovarian cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Previous study results have been inconclusive, so this meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between ovarian cancer and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies on the association between OCPs and ovarian cancer from January 1, 2000 through February 5, 2023. The pooled relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) were used to measure this relationship. RESULTS: A total of 67 studies were included. In the association between ever-use compared with never-use of OCPs and ovarian cancer risk, the pooled RR in cohort studies was 0.69 [95% CI: 0.61, 0.78]. For the relationship between duration of OCPs use and ovarian cancer in the cohort studies, no association between duration of use1-12 months 0.92 [95% CI: 0.82, 1.03] and duration of use 13-60 months 0.87 [95% CI: 0.73, 1.04], but there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between duration of use 61-120 months 0.62 [95% CI: 0.48, 0.81] and more than 120 months 0.51 [95% CI: 0.32, 0.80] and ovarian cancer. For the relationship between OCPs and histological subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer in the cohort studies, the pooled RR for invasive was 0.70 [95% CI: 0.56, 0.87], but no association between OCPs and borderline ovarian cancer 0.64 [95% CI: 0.31, 1.31]. CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows a statistically significant inverse relationship between ever-use compared to never-use of OCPs and ovarian cancer risk,and also between invasive cancer and OCPs. By increasing the duration of OCPs use, the risk of ovarian cancer decreased.

Incidence trends of gastric cancer in the United States over 2000-2020: A population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer ranks among the top cancers in terms of both occurrence and death rates in the United States (US). Our objective was to provide the incidence trends of gastric cancer in the US from 2000 to 2020 by age, sex, histology, and race/ethnicity, and to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We obtained data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 22 program. The morphologies of gastric cancer were classified as adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, signet ring cell carcinoma, and carcinoid tumor. We used average annual percent change (AAPC) and compared pairs using parallelism and coincidence. The numbers were displayed as both counts and age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) per 100000 individuals, along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Over 2000-2019, most gastric cancers were among those aged ≥55 years (81.82%), men (60.37%), and Non-Hispanic Whites (62.60%). By histology, adenocarcinoma had the highest incident cases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a remarkable decline in ASIRs of gastric cancer in both sexes and all races (AAPC: -8.92; 95% CI: -11.18 to -6.67). The overall incidence trends of gastric cancer were not parallel, nor identical. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of gastric cancer shows notable variations by age, race, and sex, with a rising trend across ethnicities. While the overall incidence has declined, a noteworthy increase has been observed among younger adults, particularly young Hispanic women; however, rates decreased significantly in 2020.

Exploring the associations between symptom severity, metacognition, problematic social media use and cyberbullying in treatment naïve adolescents with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder.

This study investigates the relationship between ADHD symptom severity, metacognition, problematic social media use, and cyberbullying/cybervictimization in treatment-naïve adolescents. Understanding these relationships is vital for enhancing ADHD intervention strategies. Using a cross-sectional design, 97 adolescents meeting DSM-5 criteria for ADHD without any comorbidity and 97 healthy controls were assessed. Measures included the Metacognitions Questionnaire for Children, Social Media Disorder Scale, Revised Cyberbullying Inventory-II, and Revised Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Short. The comparisons were performed with independent samples' t tests and the associations were estimated by using Pearson's bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses. Results revealed that adolescents with ADHD exhibited higher levels of dysfunctional metacognitions, problematic social media use, cyberbullying, and cybervictimization compared to controls. Regression analysis showed significant positive associations between ADHD symptoms, specific metacognitions (e.g., positive meta-worry, cognitive monitoring), and problematic social media use. This study, the first of its kind among treatment-naïve ADHD adolescents, provides valuable insights into the relationship between ADHD symptoms and particular metacognitions (i.e. positive meta-worry, cognitive monitoring) and problematic social media use. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of ADHD in adolescence and may inform the development of targeted prevention and treatment strategies, particularly relevant given adolescents' susceptibility to social media's influence and their potential for cognitive flexibility in rehabilitation contexts.

Effects of inductive and deductive aural vocabulary pre-teaching on EFL learners' word recognition from speech.

This study explores the impact of inductive and deductive aural vocabulary pre-teaching on word recognition from speech (WRS) among 72 Iranian EFL intermediate learners from a language institute. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (inductive), Group B (deductive), and Group C (routine instruction of the language institute). Each group consisted of 24 participants, with 12 male and 12 female intermediate EFL learners. Assessments included pre-test, immediate post-test, and delayed post-test. Statistical analyses, including mixed ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe tests, and paired samples t-tests, were conducted. Results indicated superior performance in experimental groups with no significant difference between inductive and deductive methods, showcasing lasting effects on WRS. This study provides valuable insights for language educators, learners, curriculum designers, and institutes to enhance EFL listening proficiency through aural vocabulary instructions.

Enhancing upper extremity muscle strength in individuals with spinal cord injury using low-intensity blood flow restriction exercise.

OBJECTIVES: This study explores the feasibility and effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction exercise on forearm muscle strength and function in individuals with spinal cord injury. STUDY DESIGN: Pilot randomized clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten male and female adult participants with chronic cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury underwent an 8-week low-intensity blood flow restriction exercise programme that targeted forearm muscles. Each participant's contralateral forearm served as the control. Grip strength was the primary outcome measure, and participants also provided qualitative feedback on their experiences. RESULTS: The study revealed a significant increase in participants' forearm muscle strength on the experimental side engaged in low-intensity blood flow restriction training, with an average strength gain of 7.5 ± 0.36 kg after 16 exercise sessions (Cohen's d = -6.32, 95% CI -8.34, -6.68). In comparison, the control side, following a conventional high- intensity exercise regimen without BFR, showed a more modest strength increase of 4.4 ± 0.67 kg. A mean Patient's Global Impression of Change score of 2.2 reflected overall improvements in participants' daily activities and health status. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the feasibility and effectiveness of low-intensity blood flow restriction exercise as a safe and promising approach to enhancing forearm muscle strength in individuals with spinal cord injury. The observed positive outcomes, coupled with a high level of participant satisfaction, underscore the potential of this innovative method to significantly improve limb muscle strength, thereby contributing to greater functional independence in this population.

Assessment of magnetic resonance imaging findings in ovarian granulosa cell tumors along with clinical prognostic factors.

AIM: To determine the role of preoperative MRI in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) of the ovary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients who were operated on between 2018 and 2022 and who were pathologically diagnosed with GHT and met the inclusion criteria were retrospectively examined. The findings were compared with the patients' demographic data, symptoms, surgical findings (laterality, stage, lymph node involvement, endometrial pathology, tumor size), and CA-125 levels. RESULTS: The final cohort included 24 patients with a mean age of 54.71 ± 16.52. All the patients had the pathological diagnosis of adult type GCT. In the morphological evaluation, the most common finding was a solid-cystic mixed type (14 patients, 58.3%), while intratumoral hemorrhage signal was observed in 10 patients (41.7%). In the majority of cases (91.7%), the mass showed regular contours. The honeycomb/Swiss cheese sign was detected in 54.2% of the cases. When the T1 and T2 signal of the solid component of the mass were examined relative to the myometrium, the majority of GCTs appeared isointense on both sequences (83.3% and 62.5%, respectively). The mean ADC value of the solid component obtained from diffusion-weighted imaging was 0.78 ± 0.15 × 10-3. Pelvic fluid was observed in 41.7% of the cases. The average endometrial thickness was 9.74 ± 6.43 mm. Thickened endometrium more than 9 mm was observed in 9 out of the remaining 21 patients (42.9%). CONCLUSION: Understanding the key imaging features for GCTs plays an essential role in the diagnosis and guiding the treatment effectively.

Adult Hodgkin lymphoma incidence trends in the United States from 2000 to 2020.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a rare malignancy affecting the lymphatic system. Our study examined the incidence rates of adult HL based on sex, race/ethnicity, age, and histological subgroups in the United States (US) from 2000 to 2020. Data for this study were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 22 database. HL patients were identified utilizing the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology version 3 and categorized as classical HL, lymphocyte-rich/mixed cell/lymphocyte depleted, nodular sclerosis, classical HL, not otherwise specified, and nodular lymphocyte-predominant HL. The study reported average annual percent change (AAPC). All estimates were presented as counts and age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) per 100,000 individuals. Between 2000 and 2019, a total of 70,924 cases of HL were reported in the US. Classical HL was the predominant subtype (94.27%), and most incident cases were among non-Hispanic Whites (66.92%) and those aged 20-29 years (24.86%). The ASIR per 100,000 population was 3.83 for men and 2.92 for women. Both sexes showed declines in the AAPCs between 2000 and 2019 (- 0.64% [- 0.99, - 0.28] and - 0.40% [- 0.77, - 0.03] for men and women, respectively). There was a significant decrease in ASIRs after COVID-19 among both sexes (percent change: - 7.49% [- 11.58, - 3.40]). Throughout all age groups, men had a higher incidence rate compared to women, except for those aged 20-29 years. Although the overall HL incidence rate was lowered in the study period from 2000 to 2019, a dramatic decrease in ASIRs of HL patients following COVID-19 pandemic was observed.

Evaluation of Operating Room Staff Awareness of Environmental Sustainability and Medical Waste Management.

Objective: This study aims to identify the obstacles to recycling and environmental sustainability habits in a university hospital's operating room (OR) environment in Turkey and lay the groundwork for potential solutions. Methods: A questionnaire was used to measure current views among the 140 OR staff members aged 20-54 years. The survey assessed awareness and behaviors of recycling at home and in the OR, as well as awareness of environmentally safe anaesthesia practices. Results: Half of the participants believed that ORs significantly affected their carbon footprint, and most agreed that these environmental effects could be reduced. The primary barriers to recycling were inadequate knowledge, negative staff attitudes and insufficient services. Notably, 76% of participants paid attention to segregating OR waste, yet many lacked formal education about the environmental impact of their practices. Approximately 89% agreed that the environmental effects of ORs could be further reduced, with education being a critical need. Conclusion: The healthcare sector's contribution to carbon emissions and waste production is significant, especially in ORs. The lack of education regarding ecological implications is concerning. Implementing standardized training programs and enhancing recycling services can substantially reduce the environmental impact of ORs, highlighting the need for a more sustainable healthcare system.

Does IV fentanyl, frequently used in emergency departments, change QTC value? A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Fentanyl is an opioid analgesic frequently used in the emergency department (ED) and is usually administered without knowing the QTC values of the patients or being monitored. However, the effect of fentanyl on QTC, prolongation or shortening, has not been elucidated. This study aimed to determine the effect of fentanyl on QTC. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study in the ED of a tertiary hospital on patients who received intravenous fentanyl for procedures other than intubation. ECG was performed before and at 1, 5, 15, 30, and 60 min after the initiation of fentanyl administration, and QTC value was calculated. Primary outcomes were QTC prolongation, defined as an increase in the QTC to ≥ 500 ms or any increase in QTC by ≥ 60 ms. RESULTS: The study included 109 patients. Of these, 60 patients were male, and the median age was 40. Compared with the baseline QTC value, statistically significant prolongation was detected at the 5th, 15th, 30th, and 60th minutes, with the maximum prolongation at 30 min, and the median was 13.08 ms. Most patients with QTC prolongation were female and over 40 years of age. Clinically, none of these patients developed malignant arrhythmias during the 60-minute monitored observation period. CONCLUSION: Fentanyl prolonged the QTC value statistically significantly. Although no patient developed malignant arrhythmia clinically, our results suggest that this QTC-prolonging effect should be considered when using fentanyl in patients at risk of torsades.