Acceptability of psilocybin-assisted group therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder: Qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: The present study explored the acceptability of psilocybin-assisted group therapy from the perspective of patients with cancer and depression who participated in a clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of this novel intervention. METHODS: Guided by the conceptual framework of acceptability, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with participants of the psilocybin trial. Data were analyzed using template and thematic analyses. RESULTS: Participants' (n = 28) perspectives on the acceptability of the group and simultaneous sessions was generally positive, both in terms of safety and efficacy: first, the groups contributed to increase participants' sense of safety and preparedness as they were engaging in the therapy; and second, the groups fostered a sense of connection and of belonging, which served to enrich and deepen the meaning of participants' experience, ultimately opening a dimension of self-transcendence and compassion. Other subthemes related to factors influencing the acceptability of the group approach included: 1) the importance of the therapeutic framework, 2) the complementary value of individual sessions, 3) disruptive factors related to the group and/or simultaneous setting, and 4) opportunities and challenges related to group size and how to structure interactions. CONCLUSIONS: This study enhances understanding of what promotes acceptability of the psilocybin-assisted therapy group model for the treatment of MDD in cancer patients. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: We conducted exit interviews with participants of a phase 2 trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) conducted in a community cancer center, to assess the acceptability of a novel psilocybin delivery model combining simultaneous individual therapy and group sessions. Our findings support the acceptability of this intervention and suggest that in addition to being feasible, it might also enhance participants' perceived safety and efficacy compared to uniquely individual or group delivery models of PAT. Our analysis highlights critical factors conditioning acceptability and suggests new ways PAT may be scaled and integrated into cancer care.

Psilocybin-assisted group therapy in patients with cancer diagnosed with a major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Depression is common in patients with cancer and is associated with lower treatment adherence and reduced quality of life. Antidepressants and psychotherapy have limited success in improving depression among patients with cancer. This study explored the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder. METHODS: This phase 2, open-label trial enrolled patients with curable and noncurable cancer and major depressive disorder at a single community oncology practice site. A single 25-mg dose of psilocybin was administered simultaneously to cohorts of three to four participants with individual (4.25 hours in 1:1 therapist-to-patient ratio) and group therapeutic support (3.75 hours) before, during, and after psilocybin administration. Outcomes included depression severity, anxiety, pain, demoralization, and disability. RESULTS: Thirty participants completed the study. No psilocybin-related serious adverse events occurred; treatment-related adverse events (e.g., nausea, headache) were generally mild and expected. There were no laboratory or electrocardiogram abnormalities. No suicidality was reported. Efficacy was suggested with a robust reduction in depression severity scores from baseline to posttreatment of 19.1 points (95% CI, 22.3 to -16.0; p < .0001) by week 8. Eighty percent of participants demonstrated a sustained response to psilocybin treatment; 50% showed full remission of depressive symptoms at week 1, which was sustained for 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Psilocybin-assisted therapy in group cohort administration was safe and feasible in patients with cancer and depression. Efficacy was suggested based on clinically meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms. The novel, group-oriented format, compact delivery time, community cancer center setting, and one-to-one therapist-to-patient ratio could also add to therapeutic gains and efficiency of administration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04593563. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Depression is common in patients with cancer and associated with lower treatment adherence, reduced quality of life, and limited response to antidepressants and psychotherapy. We conducted a phase 2 trial to study a single dose of psilocybin administered in a group therapy setting with one-to-one therapist-to-participant psychological support to patients with curable and noncurable cancer and major depressive disorder. Findings of the study showed safety (no treatment-related serious adverse events or suicidality) with psilocybin and suggested efficacy, with a significant reduction in depression severity scores from baseline to posttreatment. Further investigation is warranted.

Damping the jump of coalescing droplets through substrate compliance.

Sessile droplets coalescing on superhydrophobic surfaces result in spontaneous droplet jumping. Here, through coalescence experiments and fluid-structure interaction simulations for microliter droplets, we demonstrate that such droplet jumping can be damped if the underlying substrate is designed to be compliant. We show that a compliant superhydrophobic substrate with synergistic combinations of low stiffness and inertia deforms rapidly during the coalescence process to minimize the substrate reaction, thus diminishing the jumping velocity. A spring-mass system model for coalescing water droplets is proposed that successfully captures droplet motion and substrate deformation for a wide range of compliant superhydrophobic substrates. These insights can be leveraged to improve the process efficiency in multiple applications, such as designing compliant superhydrophobic substrates for minimizing the scattering of small, nanoliter-sized droplets during atmospheric water harvesting. Lastly, experiments on an exemplar butterfly wing show that droplet jumping velocity reduction can also manifest on natural superhydrophobic substrates due to their inherent compliance.

A prospective randomised control trial to compare the perioperative outcomes and ergonomic challenges between triangular versus midline port placement in total extra-peritoneal repair of uncomplicated unilateral inguinal hernia.

BACKGROUND: Routine TEP technique requires three skin incisions for placement of three trocars in the midline. Otherwise, this can be done by three-port triangular technique or two-hand technique. This study reports a randomised trial of perioperative outcomes and ergonomics characteristics of this procedure using two different techniques of port insertion. METHODS: N = 28 patients were randomised into two groups for triangular three-port (TTEP) versus midline three-port TEP (MTEP) hernioplasty after informed written consent in Department of Surgery, King George's Medical University UP between September 2016 and September 2017 after institutional ethical approval. Patient-related outcomes in terms of quality of life (QOL) and ergonomic evaluation of the technique were compared in double-blinded fashion. RESULTS: Postoperative pain score at 24 h post surgery (5.1 ± 0.6; 95% CI 4.9-5.3 vs. 4.8 ± 0.4; 95% CI 4.6-4.9) differed, while hospital stay, time to return to routine work, tolerance to oral feeds and intraoperative complications occurrence (OR 2.1; 95% CI 0.2-24.3) were comparable in both groups. Time to return to office work (5.5 ± 0.5; 95% CI 5.4-5.7 vs. 4.0 ± 0.8; 95% CI 3.7-4.3) and immediate postoperative sensation of mesh and pain score were significantly higher in MTEP compared to TTEP. Ergonomic parameters including visualization of landmark score, spreading of mesh score and total surgeon satisfaction score (TTEP 8.4 ± 0.7; 95% CI 8.1-8.6 vs. MTEP 7.0 ± 0.8; 95% CI 6.7-7.3), mental effort quotient (SMEQ score: TTEP 50.6 ± 12.7; 95% CI 45.9-55.3 vs. MTEP 70.8 ± 12.6: 95% CI 66.1-75.4) and physical effort quotient (LEDQ scores in wrist, hand, arm and shoulders) were also superior in triangular technique of port placement. CONCLUSION: Triangular three-port TEP hernioplasty is ergonomically feasible and enables a surgeon to perform surgery safely using basic principles of laparoscopy.

Implications of DTI in mild traumatic brain injury for detecting neurological recovery and predicting long-term behavioural outcome in paediatric and young population-a systematic review.

PURPOSE: This systematic review was done with the aim to answer these three questions: 1) Is there any change in diffusion metrics in MRI-DTI sequences after mild traumatic brain injury in paediatric and young population?, 2) Is there any correlation of these changes in diffusion metrics with severity of post concussion symptoms?, 3) Is the change in diffusion metrics predictive of neurocognitive function or neurological recovery? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eligibility criteria- Mild TBI patients upto 22 years of age, MRI- DTI sequence done post injury, Outcome measurement with follow up at least for onemonth and articles published in English language only. Data sources- PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane RESULTS: Some studies show increased FA and some studies show decrease FA and few showed no change in white matter microstructure in mTBI patients and this depends on the duration of injury. Prediction of PCSs severity on the basis of changes in white matter microstructure showed inconsistent results. Radiological recovery in contrast to clinical recovery, is often delayed ranging from 6 months to 2-3 years. But change in diffusion metrics after mTBI is not definite predictive of neurocognitive outcomes. CONCLUSION: Large, properly designed, multicentric studies with appropriate extracranial or orthopedic control and long follow up are needed to establish the use of DTIin mTBI for predicting behavioral outcome.

Avelumab in metastatic urothelial carcinoma after platinum failure (JAVELIN Solid Tumor): pooled results from two expansion cohorts of an open-label, phase 1 trial.

BACKGROUND: The approval of anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and anti-programmed death 1 agents has expanded treatment options for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Avelumab, a human monoclonal anti-PD-L1 antibody, has shown promising antitumour activity and safety in this disease. We aimed to assess the safety profile in patients (both post-platinum therapy and cisplatin-naive) treated with avelumab and to assess antitumour activity of this drug in post-platinum patients. METHODS: In this pooled analysis of two cohorts from the phase 1 dose-expansion JAVELIN Solid Tumor study, patients aged 18 years and older with histologically or cytologically confirmed locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma that had progressed after at least one previous platinum-based chemotherapy were enrolled from 80 cancer treatment centres or hospitals in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Eligible patients had adequate end-organ function, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, life expectancy of at least 3 months, and at least one measurable lesion. Cisplatin-ineligible patients who might have been previously treated in the perioperative setting, including platinum-naive patients, were also eligible. Patients unselected for PD-L1 expression received avelumab (10 mg/kg, 1 h intravenous infusion) every 2 weeks until confirmed disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or other criterion for withdrawal. The primary endpoint for this efficacy expansion cohort was confirmed best overall response (according to RECIST version 1.1), adjudicated by independent review. Safety analysis was done in all patients who received at least one dose of avelumab. Antitumour activity was assessed in post-platinum patients who received at least one dose of avelumab. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01772004; enrolment in this cohort of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma is closed and the trial is ongoing. FINDINGS: Between Sept 3, 2014, and March 15, 2016, 329 patients with advanced metastatic urothelial carcinoma were screened for enrolment into this study; 249 patients were eligible and received treatment with avelumab for a median of 12 weeks (IQR 6·0-19·7) and followed up for a median of 9·9 months (4·3-12·1). Safety and antitumour activity were evaluated at data cutoff on June 9, 2016. In 161 post-platinum patients with at least 6 months of follow-up, a best overall response of complete or partial response was recorded in 27 patients (17%; 95% CI 11-24), including nine (6%) complete responses and 18 (11%) partial responses. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events (any grade in ≥10% patients) were infusion-related reaction (73 [29%]; all grade 1-2) and fatigue (40 [16%]). Grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events occurred in 21 (8%) of 249 patients, the most common of which were fatigue (four [2%]), and asthenia, elevated lipase, hypophosphataemia, and pneumonitis in two (1%) patients each. 19 (8%) of 249 patients had a serious adverse event related to treatment with avelumab, and one treatment-related death occurred (pneumonitis). INTERPRETATION: Avelumab showed antitumour activity in the treatment of patients with platinum-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma; a manageable safety profile was reported in all avelumab-treated patients. These data provide the rationale for therapeutic use of avelumab in metastatic urothelial carcinoma and it has received accelerated US FDA approval in this setting on this basis. FUNDING: Merck KGaA, and Pfizer Inc.

Radium-223 Safety, Efficacy, and Concurrent Use with Abiraterone or Enzalutamide: First U.S. Experience from an Expanded Access Program.

BACKGROUND: In the phase III ALSYMPCA trial, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients had few prior life-prolonging therapies. Following ALSYMPCA, which demonstrated radium-223 survival benefit, and before radium-223 U.S. commercial availability, an expanded access program (EAP) providing early-access radium-223 allowed life-prolonging therapies in current use. SUBJECTS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: This phase II, open-label, single-arm, multicenter U.S. EAP (NCT01516762) enrolled patients with symptomatic mCRPC, ≥2 bone metastases, and no lung, liver, or brain metastases. Patients received radium-223 55 kBq/kg intravenously every 4 weeks × 6. Primary outcomes were acute and long-term safety. Additional analyses were done by number of radium-223 injections, and prior or concomitant abiraterone or enzalutamide use. RESULTS: Of 252 patients, 184 received radium-223: 165/184 (90%) had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1; 183 (99%) had prior systemic anticancer therapy. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 93/184 (51%) patients during treatment and 11 (6%) during follow-up. Median overall survival was 17 months, with 134/184 (73%) patients censored because of short follow-up due to radium-223 approval. In post hoc analyses, patients with ≥3 prior anticancer medications, baseline ECOG performance status ≥2, and lower baseline hemoglobin were less likely to receive 5-6 radium-223 injections and unlikely to benefit from radium-223. Radium-223 was well tolerated regardless of concurrent or prior abiraterone or enzalutamide. CONCLUSION: Radium-223 was well tolerated, with no new safety concerns; safety was maintained with abiraterone or enzalutamide. Patients with more advanced disease were less likely to benefit from radium-223. Clinicians should consider baseline characteristics and therapy sequence for greatest clinical value. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In this phase II U.S. expanded access program, radium-223 was well tolerated, with a median overall survival of 17 months in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. In post hoc analyses, radium-223 was safe regardless of concurrent abiraterone or enzalutamide, and median overall survival appeared longer when radium-223 was used earlier in patients with less prior treatment. Patients with more advanced disease were less likely to benefit from radium-223. Clinicians should consider baseline clinical characteristics and therapy sequence to provide the greatest clinical value to patients.

Use of Ambulatory Glucose Profile for Improving Monitoring and Management of T2DM.

AIM: To demonstrate glycemic variability in type 2 diabetic patients and consequent control of the same. METHODS: 108 patients with type 2 diabetes with an HbA1c level of 7.5-8.5% were selected for the study. A Freestyle Libre Pro AGP sensor was applied to the patients after explaining the patient about the same. Next, they were called for follow up at 3rd, 7th, 11th and 14th days. Based on the readings and graph obtained, diet and treatment changes were made on various follow-up days. The sensor was removed at the end of 14 days. RESULTS: Out of the 108 subjects, 106 completed the study. There were no adverse device effects. 98 patients had therapy changes while the rest had diet and lifestyle modifications. The mean HbA1c decreased from 7.96% to 7.03% by the end of 15 days. The glycemic variability curves helped in recognizing and treating masked or asymptomatic hypoglycemic events. It also graphically shows intervals of optimal and sub-optimal glycemia. CONCLUSION: AGP is one of the most recent, innovative developments that are being used to monitor Glycaemic variability in DM patients. AGP is generated from the Flash Glucose Monitoring device which is like a CGM device attached to the patient for a maximum period of 14 days, which checks the ISF glucose at every 15 minutes. We are able to get a Glycaemic variability curve, a median, a modal, various percentiles and statistical data generated through this. AGP study in the patient provides the doctor with an opportunity to have a complete glycemic picture of the patient l. It offers a reliable, predictive, standardized visualization of the glucose data. We were able to not only reduce the Glycaemic variability but were also able to improve their Quality of Life by reducing the frequency of hypos. The data lead to breaking of the clinical inertia and provided a valuable insight into Glycaemic patterns. The achievement of near to normal Glycaemic status at the end of 14 days reflected the use of AGP as an interventional tool.

Driving-induced multistability in coupled chaotic oscillators: Symmetries and riddled basins.

We study the multistability that results when a chaotic response system that has an invariant symmetry is driven by another chaotic oscillator. We observe that there is a transition from a desynchronized state to a situation of multistability. In the case considered, there are three coexisting attractors, two of which are synchronized and one is desynchronized. For large coupling, the asynchronous attractor disappears, leaving the system bistable. We study the basins of attraction of the system in the regime of multistability. The three attractor basins are interwoven in a complex manner, with extensive riddling within a sizeable region of (but not the entire) phase space. A quantitative characterization of the riddling behavior is made via the so-called uncertainty exponent, as well as by evaluating the scaling behavior of tongue-like structures emanating from the synchronization manifold.

Post-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: A review.

Head injury has been the leading cause of death and disability in people younger than 40 years and the incidence is rising continuously. Anticipation of the pathological consequences of post-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH) and an outcome-oriented management are very important in these cases. To encounter the complications pertaining to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and tSAH, various classifications have been proposed and goal-oriented screening strategies have been offered. The role of serial computed tomography (CT) scans, perfusion studies, transcranial Doppler, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and angiographic studies as diagnostic tools, has been described. Recently, MRI fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), gradient reversal echo (GRE), and susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) have emerged as excellent complimentary MRI sequences, and the authors of this article have evaluated their role in the diagnosis and prognostication of patients with tSAH. Numerous studies have been conducted on the various complications associated with tSAH such as vasospasm, hydrocephalus, and electrolyte disturbances and their management. This article discusses these aspects of tSAH and their management nuances.

Microcystin-producing and non-producing cyanobacterial blooms collected from the Central India harbor potentially pathogenic Vibrio cholerae.

On the basis of relative abundance, frequency and biovolume, the important value index ranks were assigned to individual cyanobacteria in phytoplankton samples collected from fourteen water resources of Central India. The mcyABDE genes were detected in all the blooms with Microcystis (-aeruginosa, -viridis, -panniformis, -botrys) as being the major constituent morphospecies. On the other hand, blooms composed of primarily Oscillatoria (-limosa,-agardhii, -laetevirens) along with Anabaena, Nostoc, Phormidium and Spirulina as sub-dominant forms exhibited quite a patchy distribution of one or the other mcy genes. Fifty percent of Microcystis- but none of the Oscillatoria dominant blooms produced microcystins-RR and desmethyl-RR at 0.03-0.41mgg(-1) bloom dry mass. Traces of dissolved microcystin was detected in lake water, which is well below the WHO guideline. Irrespective of cyanobacterial composition and microcystin production ability, during the study period 43-64% of the cyanobacterial bloom samples exhibited association of viable but nonculturable forms of Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139, as evident from amplification of the antigen genes. We believe that spread of endemic cholera is the major threat associated with harmful algal blooms.

Neurocognitive outcome post cranioplasty: The role of cerebral hemodynamics and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics.

Background: Cranioplasty has been useful in treating the symptoms associated with the "Sunken skin flap syndrome" post decompressive craniectomy, for which various mechanisms have been proposed. In this study, we aim to assess the changes in the cerebral blood flow and intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics post cranioplasty and correlate with the improvement in the neurocognitive status. Methods: Computed tomography perfusion and cine magnetic resonance imaging studies were done to study the changes in cerebral perfusion and CSF flow dynamics postcranioplasty. The cognitive status was assessed using Montreal cognitive assessment, mini-mental state examination, and frontal assessment battery scores in the preoperative period and at 1 and 6 months follow-up. Results: There was a significant change in cognitive status postcranioplasty, both at 1 and 6 months follow-up, which was associated with a significant improvement in cerebral blood flow, decreased mean transit time, and improvement in the mean and peak CSF flow velocities at the foramen of Magendie and aqueduct of Sylvius. Conclusion: Cranioplasty leads to a marked improvement in cerebral hemodynamics, which is more significant on the ipsilateral side. It also leads to increased CSF turnover and improved CSF circulation. Improved cerebral perfusion and, more importantly, CSF dynamics may be responsible for the demonstrable improvement in the neurocognition in the postcranioplasty period.

CAR T-cell therapy: a potential treatment strategy for pediatric midline gliomas.

Pediatric brain tumors are the primary cause of death in children with cancer. Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) are frequently unresectable due to their difficult access location, and 5-year survival remains less than 20%. Despite significant advances in tumor biology and genetics, treatment options remain limited and ineffective. Immunotherapy using T cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that has been genetically engineered is quickly emerging as a new treatment option for these patients. High levels of expression were detected for both disialoganglioside (GD2) and B7-H3 in pediatric DMG/DIPG. Numerous studies have been conducted in recent years employing various generations of GD2-CAR T cells. The two most prevalent adverse effects found with this therapy are cytokine release syndrome, which varies in severity from mild constitutional symptoms to a high-grade disease associated with potentially fatal multi-organ failure, and neurotoxicity, known as CAR T-cell-related encephalopathy syndrome. During the acute phase of anticancer action, peri-tumoral neuro-inflammation might cause deadly hydrocephalus. The initial results of clinical trials show that the outcomes are not highly encouraging as B cell malignancies and myelomas. In vivo research on CAR T-cell therapy for DIPG has yielded encouraging results, but in human trials, the early results have shown potentially fatal side effects and very modest, but fleeting improvements. Solid tumors present a hindrance to CAR T-cell therapy because of the antigenic dilemma and the strong immune-suppressing tumor microenvironment.

CBCT in orthodontics: the wave of future.

UNLABELLED: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has probably been one of the most revolutionary innovations in the field of dentistry in the past decade and it provides a novel platform for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Current imaging techniques are essentially two-dimensional (2D) representations of threedimensional (3D) objects and suffer from several limitations. Hence, fulfillment of ideal imaging goals has been limited. Twodimensional radiographs are insufficient, especially in complex cases like impacted teeth, supernumerary teeth and orthognathic surgeries. CBCT images provide far more detailed information than conventional 2D radiographs and are user friendly. Soft tissues, skull, airway and the dentition can be observed and measured on CBCT images in a 1:1 ratio. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CBCT provides an excellent tool for accurate diagnosis, more predictable treatment planning, more efficient patient management and education, improved treatment outcome and patient satisfaction. This article focuses on various applications of cone beam CT technology in orthodontics.

RQ Labs: A Cybersecurity Workforce Skills Development Framework.

This research contributes to the knowledge of how Information Systems (IS) researchers can iteratively intervene with practitioners to co-create instructional programs with a framework designed for fast-paced, rapidly changing IS fields such as cybersecurity. We demonstrate how complex fields, such as cybersecurity, have the need for a skilled workforce that continues to rapidly outpace supply from universities. IS researchers partnering with practitioners can use this research as an exemplar of a method to design, build, and evaluate these innovative co-curricular IS programs. Moreover, we find these co-curricular IS programs are essential to upskilling students, integrating training on the latest tools, systems, and processes in these rapidly evolving disciplines. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10796-022-10332-y.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy improves psycho-social-spiritual well-being in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: While psychedelics have been shown to improve psycho-spiritual well-being, the underlying elements of this change are not well-characterized. The NIH-HEALS posits that psycho-social-spiritual change occurs through the factors of Connection, Reflection & Introspection, and Trust & Acceptance. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in NIH-HEALS scores in a cancer population with major depressive disorder undergoing psilocybin-assisted therapy. METHODS: In this Phase II, single-center, open label trial, 30 cancer patients with major depressive disorder received a fixed dose of 25 mg of psilocybin. Participants underwent group preparation sessions, simultaneous psilocybin treatment administered in adjacent rooms, and group integration sessions, along with individual care. The NIH-HEALS, a self-administered, 35-item measure of psycho-social spiritual healing was completed at baseline and post-treatment at day 1, week 1, week 3, and week 8 following psilocybin therapy. RESULTS: NIH-HEALS scores, representing psycho-social-spiritual wellbeing, improved in response to psilocybin treatment (p < 0.001). All three factors of the NIH-HEALS (Connection, Reflection & Introspection, and Trust & Acceptance) demonstrated positive change by 12.7 %, 7.7 %, and 22.4 %, respectively. These effects were apparent at all study time points and were sustained up to the last study interval at 8 weeks (p < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: The study lacks a control group, relies on a self-report measure, and uses a relatively small sample size with limited diversity that restricts generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy facilitates psycho-social-spiritual growth as measured by the NIH-HEALS and its three factors. This supports the factors of Connection, Reflection & Introspection, and Trust & Acceptance as underlying elements for psycho-social-spiritual healing in cancer patients, and validates the use of the NIH-HEALS within psychedelic research.

Prognostic Factors and Outcome of Surgically Treated Supratentorial versus Infratentorial Epidural Hematoma in Pediatrics: A Comparative Study of 350 Patients at a Tertiary Center of a Developing Country.

PURPOSE: In children, epidural hematomas (EDHs) constitute around 2% to 3% of all head traumas. The aim of this study is to compare the manifestation, prognostic factors, and outcome of surgically treated supratentorial with infratentorial EDHs in pediatric patients. METHODS: This is a hospital-based single-center, retrospective study of 350 pediatric patients admitted between January 2016 and December 2021. All pediatric patients to 18 years of age with posttraumatic EDHs with or without other intracranial/extracranial injuries who underwent surgical evacuation were included in the study. Posttraumatic EDHs treated conservatively during the hospital stay and any EDH unrelated to head trauma were excluded. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score was used to assess functional outcomes at discharge. The status of the patients at 3-month follow-up was assessed by using the pediatric version of the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E Peds) Score. RESULTS: Out of 350 patients, 310 had supratentorial EDH and 40 had infratentorial EDH. In supratentorial EDH, the volume of hematoma, mass effect, and the time interval between trauma and surgery correlated with functional outcome (GOS) at discharge. Anisocoria, hypotension, and intradural injury were associated with functional as well as behavioral outcomes (GOS-E Peds) in the supratentorial EDH group. The severity of the injury was correlated with the functional and behavioral outcomes in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Infratentorial EDH has better clinical outcomes than supratentorial EDH in surgically treated pediatric patients. The most significant and consistent factor influencing the outcome in both groups was the Glasgow Coma Score on admission.

Clinicopathologic Correlation of CD44 + /CD24 - Expression in Breast Cancer: a Report from Tertiary Care Medical University in India.

CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype has been associated with stem cell-like characteristics with enhanced invasive properties, radiation resistance, and with distinct genetic profiles suggesting a correlation to adverse prognosis in western literature. The aim of this study was to study CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype as an adverse prognostic marker in Indian breast cancer patients. N = 61 breast cancer patients included in a tertiary care facility in India were evaluated for receptor studies (estrogen receptor ER, progesterone receptor PR, Herceptin antibody Her2 neu receptor, CD44 & CD24 stem cell markers). CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype was statistically related to adverse factors like estrogen and progesterone receptors non-expression, her 2 neu expression, and triple-negative breast cancer. Of the 39 patients with ER-ve status, 33 (84.6%) were found to have CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype and 82.5% of all the CD 44 + /CD24 - patients were ER negative (p = 0.001). Thirty-four (75.5%) of the PR-ve patients showed the CD44 + /CD24 - phenotype, and of all the CD 44 + /CD24 - patients, 85% of were PR negative (p = 0.006). Thirty-six (75%) of Her-2-Neu + ve were CD44 + /CD24 - . Approximately 90% of the Her 2 Neu patients expressed CD44 + /CD24 - and 76.9% of all the triple-negative patients were found to be CD44 + /CD24 - expression (p = 0.001). CD44 + /CD24 - had a significant association with adverse prognostic factors like stage of disease, hormonal receptor status, and molecular subtypes in Indian breast cancer patients like the Western data.

Group psychedelic therapy: empirical estimates of cost-savings and improved access.

Objective: To compare group and individual psychedelic-assisted therapy in terms of clinician time, costs and patient access. Methods: Using 2023 data from two group therapy trial sites, one using 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and one using psilocybin to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), we compared overall variable costs, clinician costs and clinician time required by therapy protocols utilizing groups versus individual patient therapy. Using published literature, we estimated the prevalence of adults with PTSD and MDD eligible for treatment with psychedelic therapy and projected the savings in time and cost required to treat these prevalent cases. Results: Group therapy saved 50.9% of clinician costs for MDMA-PTSD and 34.7% for psilocybin-MDD, or $3,467 and $981 per patient, respectively. To treat all eligible PTSD and MDD patients in the U.S. in 10 years with group therapy, 6,711 fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) clinicians for MDMA-PTSD and 1,159 fewer for FTE clinicians for psilocybin-MDD would be needed, saving up to $10.3 billion and $2.0 billion respectively, discounted at 3% annually. Conclusion: Adopting group therapy protocols where feasible would significantly reduce the cost of psychedelic-assisted therapies. By enhancing the number of patients served per clinician, group therapy could also ameliorate the anticipated shortage of appropriately trained clinicians, thereby accelerating access to these promising new therapies.