Burden of dog bite injuries and wound management practices to prevent rabies among dog owners.

Background: Despite members of dog-owning families being at a higher risk of dog bites owing to their proximity to dogs in their household, there are hardly any studies from India which focus on the burden of dog bites among them and their rabies control and prevention practices. This study aimed to estimate the burden of dog bites among dog owners and their wound management practices to prevent rabies. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pet dog owners in a high-end housing society of National Capital Region of Delhi. A pre-tested and pre-validated schedule was used to collect data by consecutive sampling through community survey. Data were analyzed using R software. The incidence of dog bites and the status of rabies prevention practices adopted by the participants are presented as proportions. Chi-square test was applied to compare proportions. Results: A total of 100 families were studied, which covered 355 family members. The incidence of dog bites in the past 1 year was found to be 44/355, 12.4% (95% confidence interval 9.2-16.3%). Pet dogs were responsible for 31/44 (70.5%) bites. Among 44 dog bite incidents, 30 (68.2%) reported taking any injection after the incident, and 10 (22.7%) reported receiving an anti-rabies vaccine. Only six out of 100 families reported at least one family member covered by rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis. Conclusion: The incidence of dog bites among the dog owners was high. The rabies pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis practices adopted by the participants were found to be inadequate.

Correction: Effectiveness of Rifabutin-Based Regimens in Treating Helicobacter pylori Infections.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50541.].

Liposarcoma Masquerading as Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease.

This case report highlights the challenge of differentiating between immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IGRD) and liposarcoma, which have similar symptoms and serological markers. A 40-year-old woman presented with right upper-quadrant pain and a retroperitoneal mass. Initial biopsy indicated increased IgG4-positive cells, leading to an IGRD diagnosis. However, the mass grew, despite prednisone treatment, prompting a repeat biopsy that revealed well-differentiated liposarcoma. Liposarcoma should be considered in patients with retroperitoneal masses and elevated IgG4 levels. Surgical resection is the primary treatment, emphasizing the need for early identification and close monitoring. Confirming IGRD or ruling out other diagnoses through histopathologic analysis is vital.

Impulsivity and Risk-Taking Behavior in School-Going Adolescents.

Introduction Impulsivity (or impulsiveness) and risk-taking behavior are significant concerns as the adolescent population is at a higher risk of injuries and violence, unhealthy sexual behaviors, and drug- and alcohol-related problems. The early identification of these traits in adolescents can prove beneficial through timely interventions. This study was conducted to assess impulsive behavior and risk-taking behavior among school-going adolescents in New Delhi, India, and to study the association, if any, between the two. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 571 students of classes 9th-10th in three randomly selected schools in a part of Delhi, India. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale - Brief (BIS-Brief) was used to evaluate impulsivity, and risk-taking behavior was assessed using the RT-18 tool. Results The majority (72.3%) of the 571 students were aged 14-15 years. Among the students, 56.0% were males. The impulsivity score obtained ranged from 8 to 30, with a mean score of 15.7 (SD ±4.1). The risk-taking score ranged from 2 to 18, with a mean score of 9.9 (SD ±2.9). Impulsivity was seen to be significantly higher among the female students (p=0.004). The risk-taking behavior was significantly higher among the students from government schools, among the females, and among those who used the internet more. There was a significant direct association between impulsivity and risk-taking behavior among the students (correlation coefficient 0.301, p<0.001). Conclusion The study results showed that the mean impulsivity and risk-taking scores were comparable to other studies in adolescent age groups done internationally using the same tools. Impulsivity and risk-taking behavior were both found to be higher among females. There was a significant direct association between impulsivity and risk-taking.

Utility of Machine Learning in the Management of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: In the past decade, many machine learning (ML) models have been used in the management of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). This study aims at systematically reviewing those ML models. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies reporting applications of ML in NPH. Quality assessment was performed using Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST) and Transparent Reporting of a multivariable predication model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) adherence reporting guidelines, and statistical analysis was performed with the level of significance of <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies with 53 models were included in the review, of which the convolutional neural network was the most used model. Inputs used to train various models included clinical features, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, intracranial pulse waveform characteristics, and perfusion infusion. The overall mean accuracy of the models was 77% (highest for the convolutional neural network, 98%, while lowest for decision tree, 55%; P = 0.176). There was a statistically significant difference in the accuracy and area under the curve of diagnostic and interventional models (accuracy: 83.4% vs. 69.4%, area under the curve: 0.882 vs. 0.729; P < 0.001). Overall, 59.09% (n = 13) and 81.82% (n = 18) of the studies had high-risk bias and high-applicability, respectively, on PROBAST assessment; however, only 55.15% of the studies adhered to the TRIPOD statement. CONCLUSIONS: Though highly accurate, there are many challenges to current ML models necessitating the need to standardize the ML models to enable comparison across the studies and enhance the NPH decision-making and care.

Effectiveness of Rifabutin-Based Regimens in Treating Helicobacter pylori Infections.

Helicobacter pylori has been reported as a health problem worldwide, affecting a sizable portion of people. Peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, and various extra gastric conditions are associated with this bacterium. The rampant overprescribing of antibiotics has led to the emergence of H. pylori strains resistant to multiple antibiotics, causing a decline in the effectiveness of current treatments. Recently, there has been growing interest in researching alternative treatment options for H. pylori infections that do not respond to initial therapy. Rifabutin, a rifamycin derivative initially designed for tuberculosis treatment and preventing Mycobacterium avium complex infection, has gained attention as a potential rescue medication. It has shown efficacy against H. pylori and the potential to eradicate the bacterium when combined with other antibiotics. This systematic review article focuses on using rifabutin-based regimens as a treatment option after initial treatments have failed. The authors screened literature published in the last five years, between 2017 and 2022, across various search engines and closely examined relevant studies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. The search covered a variety of electronic databases and focused on H. pylori gastritis, rifabutin-based treatment plans, and in vivo investigations in healthy individuals. The comprehensive review provides convincing evidence that rifabutin-based regimens are effective rescue treatments for H. pylori infections. Multiple studies in various areas consistently demonstrated high eradication rates, ranging from 70% to 90%, when rifabutin-containing regimens were used. The analysis found that only a tiny percentage of H. pylori strains (1%) were resistant to rifabutin therapy, further supporting the viability of Rifabutin as an alternative when other antibiotics failed to eradicate H. pylori. The cost of Rifabutin is a significant factor that may limit its accessibility, particularly in resource-constrained settings where H. pylori infection is common. Moreover, the potential side effects of Rifabutin, such as hematological problems, rashes, and digestive issues, need to be considered. However, these side effects are typically manageable and can be reduced by combining Rifabutin with other antibiotics. In conclusion, this systematic review provides evidence supporting the effectiveness of regimens derived from Rifabutin in eliminating H. pylori infections after initial therapy failure. Due to the observation that Rifabutin effectively eradicates resistant H. pylori infections, it can be considered a suitable choice for rescue therapy. Rifabutin-containing regimens should be reserved as fourth- or later-line therapy options, considering economic factors, the risk of microbial resistance, potential side effects, and the availability of alternative medications. Future research should focus on optimizing rifabutin-based regimens and investigating combination therapies that have better H. pylori eradication rates while also addressing the problem of resistant strains.