Association between Serum Biomarkers with Postoperative Complications and Delay of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Initiation in Ovarian Cancer Patients Undergoing Primary Cytoreductive Surgery: A Pilot Study.

This study sought to describe and relate the factors associated with complications and delays in adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer treated with primary cytoreductive surgery. Serum from patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer scheduled for primary cytoreductive surgery were analyzed for prealbumin, 25-OH Vitamin D, intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein 2 (MCP-2), macrophage derived chemokine (MDC). Postoperative complications were identified using common terminology criteria for adverse events 4.0 and 30 day after surgery. Delays in adjuvant chemotherapy were defined as >1 week interval between surgery and initiation. Patients with postoperative complications (39.6%) were significantly older, had lower serum prealbumin levels, and higher serum IL-6 and IL-8 than those without. Univariate logistic regression found that age (OR: 1.12, 95%CI: 1.00-1.35) and IL-6 (OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 0.99-1.05) were associated with postoperative complications, whereas age remained significant after multivariate analysis (OR:1.14, 95%CI: 1.00-1.29). Patients with delays in chemotherapy exhibited greater BMI and lower 25-OH Vitamin D than those without. Multivariate analysis found that increasing levels of 25-OH Vitamin D were associated with a lower risk of delayed chemotherapy initiation after controlling for age, body mass index, and tumor grade (OR: 0.93, 95%CI:0.87-0.99). This work suggests that in addition to age being predictive of postoperative complications, serum 25-OH Vitamin D may a provide insight into a patient's risk for postsurgical delays in chemotherapy initiation. These findings should, however, be confirmed in a larger study including robust survival analysis.

In a small cohort, increasing age was associated with postsurgical complications in patients with ovarian cancer following primary cytoreductive surgery.In patients with ovarian cancer following primary cytoreductive surgery delays in adjuvant chemotherapy initiation were inversely associated with serum 25-OH vitamin D status.

Pregnancy-related thromboembolism in women with sickle cell disease: An analysis of National Medicaid Data.

Pregnancy and sickle cell disease (SCD) both individually carry a risk of thromboembolism (TE). Pregnancy in people with SCD may further enhance the prothrombotic effect of the underlying disease. The objectives of this study were to determine the rate and risk factors for arterial and venous thrombosis in pregnant people with SCD. Administrative claims data from the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service Analytic eXtract from 2006 to 2018 were used. The study population included people with SCD from the start of their first identified pregnancy until 1 year postpartum and a control cohort of pregnant people without SCD of similar age and race. Outcomes of interest were identified with ICD-9 or 10 codes. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze risk factors. We identified infant deliveries in 6388 unique people with SCD and 17 110 controls. A total of 720 venous thromboembolism (11.3%) and 335 arterial TE (5.2%) were observed in people with SCD compared to 202 (1.2%) and 95 (0.6%) in controls. People with SCD had an 8-11 times higher odds of TE compared to controls (p < .001). Within the SCD cohort, age, hemoglobin SS (HbSS) genotype, hypertension, and history of thrombosis were identified as independent risk factors for pregnancy-related TE. Pregnancy-specific factors (pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, multigestational pregnancy) were not associated with TE. In conclusion, the risk of pregnancy-related TE is considerably higher in people with SCD compared with controls without SCD. Hence, people with SCD, particularly those with multiple risk factors may be candidates for thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Incidence and risk factors for graft failure in the modern era of cord blood transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Graft failure (GF) after cord blood transplant (CBT) has decreased with improved supportive care and cord selection strategies. We aimed to evaluate cord blood selection and factors associated with retransplantation on the incidence of GF, determine risk factors for GF including host antibodies to Kell antigen and evaluate survival after GF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 84 patients who underwent CBT at the University of Oklahoma between 2000 and 2016 and compared outcomes in patients with/without engraftment by Day 28. The nonengraftment cohort was further divided into patients who underwent retransplantation. Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests were calculated to assess the association between mortality and engraftment. RESULTS: Engraftment following CBT was high at 81%, with 52% engrafting by Day 28 and an additional 29% engrafting by a median of 36 days. Retransplantation led to 88% engraftment at a median of 53 days. Overall, 75% of the 40 patients who did not engraft by Day 28 died. Female sex and total nucleated cell count < 3.5/kg were significantly associated with lack of engraftment and higher mortality. Antibodies to Kell fetal antigen were not identified. Retransplantation by Day 28 for primary GF conferred a survival advantage. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that failure to engraft by 28 days was associated with increased mortality, and risk was mitigated with early retransplantation. Female sex and low total cell dose were associated with increased mortality. Early identification of GF coupled with early retransplantation can reduce mortality in CBT.

Platelet Counts during Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Platelet counts of less than 150,000 per cubic millimeter during uncomplicated pregnancies are described as gestational thrombocytopenia if no alternative cause is identified. Platelet counts may be even lower in women with pregnancy-related complications. However, the occurrence and severity of thrombocytopenia throughout pregnancy are not defined. METHODS: We evaluated platelet counts throughout pregnancy in women who delivered at Oklahoma University Medical Center between 2011 and 2014. These platelet counts were compared with those of nonpregnant women who were included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 through 2012. RESULTS: Among the 15,723 deliveries that occurred during the study period, 7351 women had sufficient data for our analyses. Of these women, 4568 had uncomplicated pregnancies, 2586 had pregnancy-related complications, and 197 had preexisting disorders associated with thrombocytopenia. Among the women who had uncomplicated pregnancies, the mean platelet count in the first trimester (mean gestation, 8.7 weeks) was 251,000 per cubic millimeter, which was lower than the mean platelet count in the 8885 nonpregnant women (273,000 per cubic millimeter) (P<0.001). At the time of delivery, 9.9% of the women with uncomplicated pregnancies had a platelet count below 150,000 per cubic millimeter. During the course of the uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries, only 45 women (1.0%) had a platelet count below 100,000 per cubic millimeter. Among the 12 women with uncomplicated pregnancies who had a platelet count below 80,000 per cubic millimeter, only 5 (0.1%, among whom the range of platelet counts was 62,000 to 78,000 per cubic millimeter; median, 65,000) were identified by medical record review as having no alternative cause for the thrombocytopenia. Platelet counts of less than 150,000 per cubic millimeter at the time of delivery were more common among women who had pregnancy-related complications than among women who had uncomplicated pregnancies (11.9% vs. 9.9%, P=0.01). Throughout their pregnancies and deliveries, 59 women (2.3%) with pregnancy-related complications had a platelet count below 100,000 per cubic millimeter, and 31 (1.2%) had a platelet count below 80,000 per cubic millimeter. CONCLUSIONS: Mean platelet counts decreased during pregnancy in all the women, beginning in the first trimester. In women who have a platelet count of less than 100,000 per cubic millimeter, a cause other than pregnancy or its complications should be considered. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.).

Prospective Associations Among Youth Religiosity and Religious Denomination and Youth Contraception Use.

This study prospectively investigates associations among youth religiosity, religious denomination, and contraception use. Associations between youth religiosity and religious denomination, and type of contraceptive used and consistent contraceptive use among sexually active youth (N = 757) were analyzed using multinomial and binomial logistic regression. Identifying with a religious denomination was a predictor of dual contraceptive use relative to using no method of contraception (AOR = 2.17). There was no association between youth religiosity and type of contraceptive use or contraceptive consistency. Religious leaders and public health practitioners should collaborate to develop strategies to engage in conversations with sexually active youth about contraceptive use.

The International Hereditary Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Registry: key findings at enrollment until 2017.

Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is an autosomal recessive inherited disease with a clinically heterogeneous course and an incompletely understood genotype-phenotype correlation. In 2006, the Hereditary TTP Registry started recruitment for a study which aimed to improve the understanding of this ultra-rare disease. The objective of this study is to present characteristics of the cohort until the end of 2017 and to explore the relationship between overt disease onset and ADAMTS13 activity with emphasis on the recurring ADAMTS13 c.4143_4144dupA mutation. Diagnosis of congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was confirmed by severely deficient ADAMTS13 activity (≤10% of normal) in the absence of a functional inhibitor and the presence of ADAMTS13 mutations on both alleles. By the end of 2017, 123 confirmed patients had been enrolled from Europe (n=55), Asia (n=52, 90% from Japan), the Americas (n=14), and Africa (n=2). First recognized disease manifestation occurred from around birth up to the age of 70 years. Of the 98 different ADAMTS13 mutations detected, c.4143_4144dupA (exon 29; p.Glu1382Argfs*6) was the most frequent mutation, present on 60 of 246 alleles. We found a larger proportion of compound heterozygous than homozygous carriers of ADAMTS13 c.4143_4144dupA with overt disease onset at < 3 months of age (50% vs 37%), despite the fact that ADAMTS13 activity was <1% in 18 of 20 homozygous, but in only 8 of 14 compound heterozygous carriers. An evaluation of overt disease onset in all patients with an available sensitive ADAMTS13 activity assay (n=97) shows that residual ADAMTS13 activity is not the only determinant of age at first disease manifestation. Registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01257269.

Effect Modification of the Association Between Race and Stage at Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis by Socioeconomic Status.

OBJECTIVES: To compare risks of distant-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis between whites and American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) and to explore effect modification by area-based socioeconomic status (SES). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using data from the Oklahoma Central Cancer Registry. SETTING: Oklahoma. PARTICIPANTS: White and AI/AN cases of CRC diagnosed in Oklahoma between 2001 and 2008 (N = 8 438). A subanalysis was performed on the cohort of those aged 50 years and older (N = 7 728). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Risk of distant-stage CRC diagnosis stratified by SES score. RESULTS: Race and SES were independently associated with distant-stage diagnosis. In SES-stratified analyses, AI/ANs in the 2 lowest SES groups experienced increased risks in the overall cohort and among those aged 50 years and older. In multivariable models, risks remained significant among those aged 50 years and older in the lowest SES groups (Adjusted risk ratio SES score of 2: 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.63 and adjusted risk ratio SES score of 1: 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.44). CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic status is an effect modifier in the association between race/ethnicity and stage at CRC diagnosis. Disparities in stage at CRC diagnosis exist between AI/ANs and whites with lower estimated SES. Efforts are needed to increase CRC screening among lower SES AI/ANs.

Consideration of older patients for enrollment in phase 1 clinical trials: Exploring treatment related toxicities and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Age imposes a disparity in the treatment of and outcomes with gynecologic cancer. Older patients are underrepresented in primary treatment trials, but little is known about their ability to withstand trial-based treatment for recurrent or refractory disease. This study sought to examine treatment-related toxicities and outcomes of older versus younger patients participating in phase 1 clinical trials. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients enrolled in phase 1 clinical trials for gynecologic malignancies from 2010 to 2016 was performed. Demographic and clinic-pathologic data was abstracted. Toxicities were defined as either grade III or IV by CTCAE criteria. Best response was calculated using RECIST criteria. Associations between categorical variables were determined using Fisher's exact test and continuous variables using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: 237 patients were included with 22% (n=51) comprising the older cohort (≥70years). The vast majority (98%) were treated for recurrent disease. Older patients incurred similar grade III/IV hematologic (21% vs 16%, p=0.38) and non-hematologic toxicities (26% vs 29%, p=0.64). Older patients discontinued treatment due to toxicity only 8% of the time. Median survival was 13.0 and 10.3months in the <70 and ≥70 groups, respectively (p=0.35). 63% of patients ≥70 achieved clinical benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Although historically older patients have not been routinely considered for enrollment in phase 1 trials, our data demonstrates similar toxicity profiles to that of younger patients and 63% clinical benefit rate. Thus, with careful selection, patients ≥70 should be considered when facing recurrent or refractory gynecologic cancer.

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Among Youths Living in Group Care Homes: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if the Power Through Choices (PTC) intervention can increase the use of birth control and reduce pregnancy among system-involved youths living in group care homes. METHODS: We performed a 2-arm cluster randomized controlled trial involving group care homes operated by child welfare or juvenile justice systems in California, Maryland, and Oklahoma with assessments immediately before and after the intervention, and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. We collected data from 2012 to 2014 via self-administered questionnaires. Participants (n = 1036) were young (mean age = 16.1 years), predominantly male (79%), racially/ethnically diverse (37% Hispanic, 20% Black, 21% White, 17% multiracial), and sexually experienced (88%). RESULTS: At 6-month follow-up, participants in the intervention group had significantly lower odds of having recent sexual intercourse without using birth control (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52, 0.98). At 12-month follow-up assessment, participants in the intervention group had significantly lower odds of ever being pregnant or getting someone pregnant (AOR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.46, 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that PTC is an effective sexual health education intervention that can be implemented with system-involved youths who represent a sexually experienced multiracial youth population.

Predictors of remission in children with newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia: Data from the Intercontinental Cooperative ITP Study Group Registry II participants.

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) during childhood spontaneously remits in up to 80% of children. Predictors of remission are not well understood. PROCEDURE: We analyzed data from Intercontinental Cooperative ITP Study Group (ICIS) Registry II, a large prospective cohort of children with ITP, to investigate factors that might predict remission. RESULTS: In ICIS Registry II, 705 patients had data collected through 12 months following diagnosis, with 383 patients having data available at 24 months as well. Younger age and pharmacologic treatment at diagnosis were significantly associated with disease resolution at 12 and 24 months (P < 0.0001 for both) as was bleeding at diagnosis (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0213, respectively). Gender and platelet count at diagnosis were not significantly correlated with remission. In the multivariable analysis, remission at 12 months was associated with younger age, higher bleeding grade at diagnosis, and treatment with a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and corticosteroids at diagnosis. Only younger age and treatment with IVIG and steroids in combination at diagnosis were associated with remission at 24 months. Patients <1 year of age had the highest odds of achieving remission at both 12 months (OR 4.7, 95% CI: 2.0-10.6) and 24 months (OR 7.0, 95% CI: 2.3-20.8). CONCLUSIONS: Younger age, bleeding severity at diagnosis, and initial treatment with a combination of corticosteroids and IVIG are associated with remission at 12 months in the ICIS Registry II. Patients <1 year of age have the highest likelihood of remission. The relationship of bleeding and treatment at diagnosis requires further study to clarify whether these are independent predictors of remission.

Management of antithrombotic therapy in adults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP): a survey of ITP specialists and general hematologist-oncologists.

While patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and low platelet counts are at risk for bleeding, they are not protected against arterial and venous thrombotic events. Frequently, hematologists are asked to consult on a patient with ITP requiring an antiplatelet (AP) agent or anticoagulant (AC). No direct evidence exists to guide hematologists in weighing the risk of thrombosis against the risk of bleeding in patients with ITP. Therefore, we performed a survey to determine the preferred management of AP/AC therapy in ITP patients. The survey described hypothetical patient scenarios and asked respondents to recommend a minimum platelet count for initiation of AP/AC therapy. We surveyed both hematologists with an international reputation in treatment of ITP (n = 48) and also general hematologist-oncologists in Oklahoma (n = 97). Response rates were 38/48 (79%) for the ITP specialists and 46/97 (47%) for general hematologist-oncologists. Overall, recommended platelet thresholds for antithrombotic therapy were similar between ITP specialists and general hematologist-oncologists. Although both groups recommended a minimum platelet count of 50 × 109/L for AP and AC therapy in most scenarios, there was great variability in individual practice patterns among respondents. This study highlights the need for studies of patients with ITP who require AP/AC therapy to provide high-quality evidence for establishing optimal management strategies.

Quinine-Induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy: A Report of 19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Quinine can cause diverse and severe immune-mediated adverse reactions, including thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Our objective was to describe the presenting features and long-term outcomes of patients with quinine-induced TMA. STUDY DESIGN: A case series of 19 patients with quinine-induced TMA treated with plasma exchange. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Patients with quinine-induced TMA initially suspected of having thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) were identified among patients enrolled in the Oklahoma TTP-Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Registry. OUTCOMES: The clinical course of the initial episode and morbidity and mortality following recovery. MEASUREMENTS: The diagnosis of quinine-induced TMA was confirmed by documentation of quinine-dependent antibodies reactive with platelets or neutrophils and/or by previous quinine-associated systemic symptoms. Clinical data from the initial episode and long-term follow-up were described, focusing on kidney function. RESULTS: 19 of the 509 patients enrolled in the registry in 1989 to 2015 had quinine-induced TMA. 18 patients had quinine-dependent antibodies reactive with platelets and/or neutrophils (1 patient died before testing); 8 patients had a history of quinine-associated systemic symptoms. All patients were white; 18 were women. Quinine exposure was in pill form for 18 patients and as tonic water for 1. All patients had microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. All were initially misdiagnosed as having TTP or hemolytic uremic syndrome, and adverse reactions to quinine were not initially suspected. 1 patient died before treatment began; 17 of the 18 surviving patients required dialysis. 14 patients developed chronic kidney disease, 3 of whom developed end-stage renal disease. 8 patients died. LIMITATIONS: Patients for whom plasma exchange was not requested were not identified. CONCLUSIONS: Quinine-induced TMA causes severe acute kidney injury that commonly results in chronic kidney disease.

Drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy: a systematic review of published reports.

Many patients with syndromes of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic-uremic syndrome, have been reported to have a drug-induced etiology, and many different drugs have been suspected as a cause of TMA. We established criteria to assess the strength of evidence for a causal association of a drug with TMA and systematically searched for all published reports of drug-induced TMA. We identified 1569 articles: 604 were retrieved for review, 344 reported evaluable data for 586 individual patients, 43 reported evaluable data on 46 patient groups. Seventy-eight drugs were described; 22 had evidence supporting a definite causal association with TMA. Three drugs accounted for 61 of the 104 patient reports with definite evidence (quinine, 34; cyclosporine, 15; tacrolimus, 12). Twenty additional drugs had evidence supporting a probable association with TMA. These criteria and data can provide support for clinicians evaluating patients with suspected TMA.

Platelet counts in women with normal pregnancies: A systematic review.

The occurrence of thrombocytopenia in 5% of pregnant women at delivery, described as gestational thrombocytopenia, is well documented. A commonly believed concept is that gestational thrombocytopenia is the result of gradually decreasing platelet counts in all women during pregnancy. The goal of our study was to evaluate the data supporting this concept. To learn what is known about platelet counts throughout normal pregnancies, we systematically reviewed all publications describing platelet counts during pregnancy. We identified 3,039 studies; 46 reporting ≥30 women with normal pregnancies were included in our analyses. The combined mean platelet counts from all studies supported the concept that platelet counts decrease during pregnancy and increase postpartum: first trimester, 251,000/µL (95% CI, 238,000-264,000/µL); second trimester, 238,000/µL (95% CI, 222,000-253,000/µL); third trimester, 224,000/µL (95% CI, 213,000-235,000/µL); delivery, 237,000/µL (95% CI, 209,000-264,000/µL); 4-8 weeks postpartum, 247,000/µL (95% CI, 207,000-287,000/µL). However, individual studies were inconsistent. Eleven longitudinal studies compared platelet counts on the same women at different times during gestation: seven reported a decrease; four reported no change. Ten cross-sectional studies compared platelet counts of different women at different times during gestation: five reported a decrease; five reported no change. Five studies compared platelet counts of pregnant to nonpregnant women: three reported that platelet counts were lower in pregnant women; one reported no difference; one reported that platelet counts were higher in pregnant women. These inconsistent data emphasize the need to accurately describe platelet counts throughout normal pregnancies. Accurate data are essential for evaluating the clinical importance of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy.

Pregnancy outcomes following recovery from acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

UNLABELLED: Pregnancy may precipitate acute episodes of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), but pregnancy outcomes in women who have recovered from acquired TTP are not well documented. We analyzed pregnancy outcomes following recovery from TTP associated with acquired, severe ADAMTS13 deficiency (ADAMTS13 activity <10%) in women enrolled in the Oklahoma TTP-HUS Registry from 1995 to 2012. We also systematically searched for published reports on outcomes of pregnancies following recovery from TTP associated with acquired, severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. Ten women in the Oklahoma Registry had 16 subsequent pregnancies from 1999 to 2013. Two women had recurrent TTP, which occurred 9 and 29 days postpartum. Five of 16 pregnancies (31%, 95% confidence interval, 11%-59%) in 3 women were complicated by preeclampsia, a frequency greater than US population estimates (2.1%-3.2%). Thirteen (81%) pregnancies resulted in normal children. The literature search identified 382 articles. Only 6 articles reported pregnancies in women who had recovered from TTP associated with acquired, severe ADAMTS13 deficiency, describing 10 pregnancies in 8 women. TTP recurred in 6 pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: With prospective complete follow-up, recurrent TTP complicating subsequent pregnancies in Oklahoma patients is uncommon, but the occurrence of preeclampsia may be increased. Most pregnancies following recovery from TTP in Oklahoma patients result in normal children.

Diversity and severity of adverse reactions to quinine: A systematic review.

Quinine is a common cause of drug-induced thrombocytopenia and the most common cause of drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy. Other quinine-induced systemic disorders have been described. To understand the complete clinical spectrum of adverse reactions to quinine we searched 11 databases for articles that provided sufficient data to allow evaluation of levels of evidence supporting a causal association with quinine. Three reviewers independently determined the levels of evidence, including both immune-mediated and toxic adverse reactions. The principal focus of this review was on acute, immune-mediated reactions. The source of quinine exposure, the involved organ systems, the severity of the adverse reactions, and patient outcomes were documented. One hundred-fourteen articles described 142 patients with definite or probable evidence for a causal association of quinine with acute, immune-mediated reactions. These reactions included chills, fever, hypotension, painful acral cyanosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, acute kidney injury, rhabdomyolysis, liver toxicity, cardiac ischemia, respiratory failure, hypoglycemia, blindness, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. One hundred-two (72%) reactions were caused by quinine pills; 28 (20%) by quinine-containing beverages; 12 (8%) by five other types of exposures. Excluding 41 patients who had only dermatologic reactions, 92 (91%) of 101 patients had required hospitalization for severe illness; 30 required renal replacement therapy; three died. Quinine, even with only minute exposure from common beverages, can cause severe adverse reactions involving multiple organ systems. In patients with acute, multi-system disorders of unknown origin, an adverse reaction to quinine should be considered.

The Predictive Influence of Youth Assets on Drinking and Driving Behaviors in Adolescence and Young Adulthood.

Drinking and driving among adolescents and young adults remains a significant public health burden. Etiological research is needed to inform the development and selection of preventive interventions that might reduce alcohol-involved crashes and their tragic consequences. Youth assets-that is, skills, competencies, relationships, and opportunities-can help youth overcome challenges, successfully transition into adulthood, and reduce problem behavior. We examined the predictive influence of individual, relationship, and community assets on drinking and driving (DD) and riding with a drinking driver (RDD). We assessed prospective relationships through analysis of data from the Youth Assets Study, a community-based longitudinal study of socio-demographically diverse youth. Results from calculation of marginal models using a Generalized Estimating Equation approach revealed that parent and peer relationship and school connectedness assets reduced the likelihood of both drinking and driving and riding with a drinking driver approximately 1 year later. The most important and consistent asset that influenced DD and RDD over time was parental monitoring, highlighting the role of parental influence extending beyond the immediate teen driving context into young adulthood. Parenting-focused interventions could influence factors that place youth at risk for injury from DD to RDD, complementing other evidence-based strategies such as school-based instructional programs and zero tolerance Blood Alcohol Concentration laws for young and inexperienced drivers.

Pancreatic Cancer: A Survival Analysis Study in Oklahoma.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is among the most deadly cancers. Risk factors associated with the disease include age, race, sex, smoking status, and diabetes status. METHOD: We conducted a prospective analysis of risk factors and length of survival among pancreatic cancer patients living in Oklahoma between 1997 and 2012 (n=6,291). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were created followed by the log-rank test to compare difference in the survival time. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the strength of association through the estimated hazard ratios. RESULTS: The median survival time of the cohort was three months. Significant risk factors for reduced survival times included age, stage at diagnosis, and year of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Results are in agreement with previous research findings. There have been small but noteworthy improvements in survival times for pancreatic cancer patients in Oklahoma. Length of survival during the study period was significantly associated with known risk factors such as age and stage of diagnosis.

Bleeding manifestations and management of children with persistent and chronic immune thrombocytopenia: data from the Intercontinental Cooperative ITP Study Group (ICIS).

Long-term follow-up of children with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) indicates that the majority undergo remission and severe thrombocytopenia is infrequent. Details regarding bleeding manifestations, however, remain poorly categorized. We report here long-term data from the Intercontinental Cooperative ITP Study Group Registry II focusing on natural history, bleeding manifestations, and management. Data on 1345 subjects were collected at diagnosis and at 28 days, 6, 12, and 24 months thereafter. Median platelet counts were 214 × 10(9)/L (interquartile range [IQR] 227, range 1-748), 211 × 10(9)/L (IQR 192, range 1-594), and 215 × 10(9)/L (IQR 198, range 1-598) at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively, and a platelet count <20 × 10(9)/L was uncommon (7%, 7%, and 4%, respectively). Remission occurred in 37% of patients between 28 days and 6 months, 16% between 6 and 12 months, and 24% between 12 and 24 months. There were no reports of intracranial hemorrhage, and the most common site of bleeding was skin. In patients with severe thrombocytopenia we observed a trend toward more drug treatment with increasing number of bleeding sites. Our data support that ITP is a benign condition for most affected children and that major hemorrhage, even with prolonged severe thrombocytopenia, is rare.