Child Anxiety, Depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Following Orthopedic Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Many children and adolescents are exposed to different types of trauma, e.g., abuse or various disasters. Trauma can cause severe and long-term impairment and consequences, the most studied of which are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and PTSD symptoms (PTSS). PTSD is highly prevalent in clinical practice (with a frequency of about 7%) and is a debilitating consequence of trauma. AIM: The current study aimed to assess childhood injuries and their associated anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder following orthopedic trauma. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, including all pediatric patients with trauma at Abha Maternity and Children Hospital in the Seer region of Saudi Arabia, as well as pediatric patients with trauma at Abha Maternity and Children Hospital during the period from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. Data were collected from the children's caregivers using a direct interview questionnaire to assess the children's personal data, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Children's trauma-related data were extracted from their medical records using a pre-structured data extraction sheet. RESULTS: A total of 100 children with trauma were included. Children ranged in age from eight to 12 years, with a mean age of 7.3 ± 3.4 years. In all, 67 (67.0%) children were males, and only 6 (6.0%) had chronic health problems. The vast majority of the children with trauma had a low-severity experience of depression and anxiety following trauma (97.1% for each), and only one child had a high-severity experience of depression and anxiety. In all, 5 (4.9%) children with trauma experienced clinically significant PTSD, and the vast majority of them showed a low likelihood of the disorder. Multiple fractures and undergoing surgery were significant predictors of developing PTSD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the current study revealed that bone trauma was frequent among children, mainly due to playing accidents. Also, a low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorders and their mental consequences was estimated.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Risk of Diabetic Foot Among Diabetic Patients in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Diabetic foot care is vital as it is preventable complication but dangerous even a small trauma can end with serious consequences. Diabetes may cause nerve damage that affects feet sensation. Diabetes may also reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder to heal an injury or resist infection. Because of these problems, patients may lose notice of early foot abnormalities. Diabetic patients' awareness regarding how to care for their feet plays a significant role in preventing these complications. Methods A correlation cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all diabetic patients aging 20 years or more. Online questionnaire was used for data collection. Questionnaire was uploaded online using social media platforms by the researchers and their relatives and friends. The questionnaire included patient personal data, patients' knowledge regarding diabetic foot, attitude and practice regarding the risk of diabetic foot among diabetic patients. Results A total of 1,000 diabetic patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. Exact of 77.5% of the patients know that Diabetics can get gangrene in the foot, 74.9% know diabetics can develop ulcers in the foot, 66.7% reported that Diabetes can reduce blood flow to the feet of diabetic patients, 66.6% agreed that diabetic patients can suffer from a lack of sensation in the feet. Exact of 84.5% of the study participants agreed that Diabetics should check for any wounds on their feet daily, 78.7% agreed that Diabetics should visit a doctor when there is any infection or wound in the feet, 76.6% think that diabetic patients should wear specialized shoes to avoid diabetic foot according to the doctor's instructions. A total of 822 (82.2%) of the study patients wash their feet daily, and 295 (29.5%) usually wear cotton socks regularly and 39.6% sometimes wear the stock. Only 192 (19.2%) regularly walk barefoot and 41.7% sometimes do. Conclusion In conclusion, the current study results showed that nearly two out of each three diabetic patients were knowledgeable for diabetic foot and its care. High knowledge was associated with young age, high education and having family member with diabetes mellitus (DM). Also, patients had a good attitude towards diabetic foot care and the effect of diabetes on foot health with to some level accepted practice except for some issues.

Ibrutinib modulates the immunosuppressive CLL microenvironment through STAT3-mediated suppression of regulatory B-cell function and inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

Ibrutinib, a covalent inhibitor of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK), is approved for treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory or treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Besides directly inhibiting BTK, ibrutinib possesses immunomodulatory properties through targeting multiple signaling pathways. Understanding how this ancillary property of ibrutinib modifies the CLL microenvironment is crucial for further exploration of immune responses in this disease and devising future combination therapies. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory properties of ibrutinib. In peripheral blood samples collected prospectively from CLL patients treated with ibrutinib monotherapy, we observed selective and durable downregulation of PD-L1 on CLL cells by 3 months post-treatment. Further analysis showed that this effect was mediated through inhibition of the constitutively active signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in CLL cells. Similar downregulation of PD-1 was observed in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. We also demonstrated reduced interleukin (IL)-10 production by CLL cells in patients receiving ibrutinib, which was also linked to suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation. Taken together, these findings provide a mechanistic basis for immunomodulation by ibrutinib through inhibition of the STAT3 pathway, critical in inducing and sustaining tumor immune tolerance. The data also merit testing of combination treatments combining ibrutinib with agents capable of augmenting its immunomodulatory effects.

Is percutaneous medial hamstring myofascial lengthening as anatomically effective and safe as the open procedure?

BACKGROUND: Medial hamstring fractional lengthening is commonly performed in children with cerebral palsy (CP) to decrease contracture and/or to improve gait. Percutaneous procedures are gaining more and more popularity, even in the paediatric population, with equivocal results. The purpose of this paper was to determine the efficacy and safety of percutaneous medial hamstring myofascial lengthening (PHL). METHODS: This is a prospective randomised controlled trial including 31 knees from 18 consecutive patients with CP scheduled for medial hamstring lengthening in the setting of multilevel tendon lengthening procedures in a university hospital. Other concomitant lower extremity surgeries were not exclusionary. A first paediatric orthopaedic surgeon executes the PHL at one level, as recently described in the literature. Another surgeon opens and extends the wound to explore what had been cut during the PHL and completes fractional lengthening (OHL) of both the semimembranosus (SM) and semitendinosus (ST) when possible. Popliteal angle (PA) was assessed by a third surgeon immediately before PHL, after PHL and then after OHL, using a goniometer in a standardised reproducible manner. All three surgeons were blinded to the others' findings. Primary endpoints included ease of performing PHL, the percentage of tendon-fascia/ muscle portion sectioned percutaneously and improvement of PA. Comparison between improvement of PA after PHL and OHL was done using a paired t-test with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The first surgeon was at ease in palpating and identifying the semimembranosus tendon before PHL in ten knees only. PHL led to an undesirable cut of the semimembranosus muscle fibres to more than 50% of the muscle section area in eight cases (<50% in 23 cases, between 50% and 75% in eight cases), and of the semitendinosus muscle fibres to more than 50% in all cases (complete rupture in six cases, more than 75% in eight cases and approximately 50% in 17 cases). Mean PA measured 52° pre-operatively and decreased to 40° after PHL. After OHL, the PA averaged 22°. There was a significant difference between the PA value after PHL (M = 40, SD = 11.8) and the PA value after OHL (M = 22, SD = 8.7), p < 0.0001. The gain in PA did not correlate with the extent of semimembranosus muscle divided (p = 0.38) nor with the extent of semitendinosus muscle divided (p = 0.35). No major iatrogenic neurovascular injury was observed. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first prospective study concerning the anatomic effects of PHL. Although it is a quick procedure, it is often associated with difficulty by the operating surgeon to identify and evaluate what should be cut percutaneously, leading to abusive injury of the muscle itself rather than the fascia alone. In addition, the gain in PA is statistically less following PHL than following OHL despite undesirable extensive muscle injury following PHL. This may be due to the multiple fascial cuts (fractional lengthening) usually performed in OHL.

[Mesothelioma and familial Mediterranean fever: A relationship?]. / Mésothéliome et fièvre méditerranéenne familiale : quelle relation ?

INTRODUCTION: The majority of pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas are linked to asbestos exposure but, in around 20% of cases, no history of such exposure is found. Periodic disease is associated with recurrent serositis, which could favor the development of mesothelioma. CASE REPORT: We report a case of pleural mesothelioma in a 50-year-old Lebanese woman, with no detectable exposure to asbestos but suffering from periodic disease (familial Mediterranean fever) with recurrent episodes of serositis. DISCUSSION: Many cases of peritoneal mesothelioma in patients with FMF are reported in the literature. This is the second reported case of pleural mesothelioma associated with periodic disease. Because of the low incidence of both diseases, further publications are required to support the hypothesis of a causal link. It is important, therefore, that all cases of an association of periodic disease and mesothelioma are reported.

Pneumorachis after cocaine sniffing.

Air in the epidural space is called pneumorachis. The usual mechanism of pneumorachis is air diffusion from the mediastinal tissue layers through the inter-vertebral foramen. Alternatively, air can diffuse directly after spine traumas (e.g., blunt deceleration with vertebral dislocation) or medical procedures. Several mechanisms could explain pneumomediastinum and pneumorachis after cocaine sniffing. Passive apnea and/or cough that occur after sniffing can cause intra alveolar hyper-pressure, which is responsible for alveolar rupture and air diffusion. Another mechanism is alveolar wall fragility and rupture induced by repeated cocaine sniffing, in turn causing air diffusion to the mediastinum, sub-cutaneous tissues and the epidural space. The diagnosis is usually made on Chest tomography scan. Management consists in close monitoring in the intensive care unit to detect aggravation of pneumomediastinum and pneumorachis, which would require surgical management. Supplemental nasal oxygen can be given to accelerate nitrogen washout. We present a case of a 28 years old male who presented to the emergency department for chest pain directly after sniffing cocaine. A computed tomography scan of the chest showed pneumomediastinum, pneumorachis and sub-cutaneous emphysema. The patient was admitted for 24 h: after that delay, surveillance chest tomodensitometry showed stability, and he could be discharged without further treatment.

Multidisciplinary care team for cancer patients and its implementation in several Middle Eastern countries.

This article introduces palliative care to cancer patients in Middle Eastern countries. It considers the importance of the multidisciplinary team in providing an adequate service to the patient and his/her family. It provides views of professionals from the various countries with regard to the role of the nurse in such teams; whereby the three elements of palliative care nursing entail: 1. Working directly with patients and families; 2. Working with other health and social care professionals to network and co-ordinate services; and 3. working at an organizational level to plan, develop and manage service provision in local, regional and national settings. This article also details the challenges that nurses face in the Middle East and outlines the preferable ways to overcome such challenges. The latter include more focused educational activities at the undergraduate and graduate levels and continuous clinical training throughout their work as palliative care nurse specialists.

Promoting new approaches for cancer care in the Middle East.

Cancer is now the fastest growing killing disease in the Middle East. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to train local health professionals: oncologists, palliative care experts, oncology nurses, psychologists, along with social workers, physiotherapists and spiritual counselors on strategies for early detection, curative therapies and palliation. Professionals in the region, along with the public, need to convince medical administrators, regulators and policymakers about investing in education and training of YOUNG professionals, as well as those with already proven experience in cancer care. Training is the basis for any future cancer care program, which aims at the integration of palliative care practices into standard oncology care across the trajectory of the illness.

Ethical issues in the geriatric patient with advanced cancer 'living to the end'.

Cancer incidence will increase as the population ages; there will be a 50% increase in new cancer cases over the next 20 years, and the biggest rates of increase will occur in the developing world. Owing to technical advances in the care of critical illness, as it is the case in elderly people with advanced cancer, physicians, patients and families are often confronted with ambiguous circumstances in which medical advances may inadvertently prolong suffering and the dying process rather than bring healing and recovery. In this review of the ethical issues confronting physicians who care for patients with advanced life-limiting illnesses like cancer, a philosophical debate continues in the medical community regarding the rightness or wrongness of certain actions (e.g. physician-assisted death, euthanasia), while at the same time there is a strong desire to find a common ground for moral discourse that could guide medical decision-making in this difficult period in the lives of our patients. We will discuss how a good palliative care can be an alternative to these ethical dilemmas. Although some issues (e.g. the role of physician-assisted death in addressing suffering) remain very controversial, there is much common ground based on the application of the four major principles of medical ethics, no malfeasance, beneficence, autonomy and justice. Thus, the physician's primary commitment must always be the patient's welfare and best interests, whether the physician is treating illness or helping patients to cope with illness, disability and death. A key skill here is the communication of bad news and to negotiate a treatment plan that is acceptable to the patient, the family and the healthcare team. Attention to psychosocial issues demands involvement of the patients and their families as partners. Physicians should be sensitive to the range of psychosocial distress and social disruption common to dying patients and their families. Spiritual issues often come to the fore. An interdisciplinary healthcare team can help in these areas. The goals of this review are to raise the awareness of doctors, nurses and other members of the healthcare team to the important ethical issues that must be addressed in providing medical care to elderly patients with advanced cancer; and also to encourage members of the healthcare team to take the ethical issues seriously so that we can improve the circumstances of a vulnerable group of patients-the elderly patients with cancer.

[Bronchopericardial fistula treatment by a metallic stent]. / Traitement d'une fistule bronchopéricardique par prothèse endobronchique métallique.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchopericardial fistula is a rare condition leading to pneumopericardium. This medical condition is often related to neoplastic disease, or a complication of surgical interventions. The treatment approach depends on both the etiology and the clinical presentation. In stable patients, pericardial drain insertion and/or surgical resection of the fistula are considered options for persistent cases. We present the case of a bronchopericardial fistula treated by placement of an endobronchial stent. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old man operated on for lung cancer had a recurrence treated with radiation and chemotherapy. A pneumopericadium was discovered when he presented with a new onset of atrial fibrillation. Bronchoscopy revealed a fistula tract. Pericardial drainage was persistent and did not improve the clinical situation. The poor health status of the patient contraindicated surgery and an alternative therapeutic approach with endobronchial stent placement was undertaken. The fistula sealed immediately, the pericardial drain could be removed removed and the patient was able to be discharged from hospital. CONCLUSION: Endobronchial stenting should be considered as a potential treatment option in patients with pneumopericardium secondary to bronchopericadial fistula, particularly where a non-surgical is required.

The effect of beta-2 adrenergic receptor haplotype variations on the haemodynamic response following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery.

We investigated whether genetic variations of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) modulate the haemodynamic response following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. We focused on the effects of haplotypes formed by combinations of the Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms. Clinical data from 143 healthy parturients were collected. Only the ArgGln haplotype appeared to influence the risk of hypotension, most probably through a recessive mode of inheritance (p=0.027). Therefore, patients were grouped according to ArgGln homozygosity in two groups: presence of one or no copies of the haplotype (n=120) or two copies of the haplotype (n=23). Both groups presented similar baseline characteristics. Comparatively, patients homozygous for the ArgGln haplotype presented consistently higher blood pressure levels throughout the evaluation period (p=0.001 for systolic arterial pressure variation from baseline). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that haplotype variations of the the ADRB2 modulate the haemodynamic response following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery.

Palliative cancer care in Middle Eastern countries: accomplishments and challenges.

BACKGROUND: In larger parts of the Middle East palliative care is still misunderstood among health professionals, cancer patients and the public at large. One reason to that is because the term does not obviously communicate the intent of this clinical discipline, which is lending better quality of life while combating cancer. Further, culture, tradition and religion have contributed to this misgiving and confusion especially at the terminal stage of the disease. METHODS: The Middle East Cancer Consortium jointly with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Oncology Nursing Society, the San Diego Hospice Center for Palliative Medicine and the Children's Hospital & Clinics of Minnesota initiated a series of training courses and workshops in the Middle East to provide updated training to physicians, nurses, social workers and psychologists from throughout the region with basic concepts of palliative care and pain managements in adults and children cancers. RESULTS: During the past 6 years hundreds of professionals took part in these educational and training activities, thereby creating the core of trained caregivers who start to make the change in their individual countries. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of consecutive training activities can overcome geopolitical instabilities, and yield a genuine change in approach of both regulators, medical administrators, medical staff and the public; as to the important contribution of palliative care services to the welfare of the patient and his/her family.

Cultural beliefs and values in cancer patients.

In 2008, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released its World Cancer Report, which indicated that cancer accounts for approximately 12% of all-cause mortality worldwide. IARC estimated that globally 7.6 million people died from cancer and that 12.4 million new cases were diagnosed in 2008. The report went on to project that, due to increases in life expectancy, improvements in clinical diagnostics, and shifting trends in health behaviors (e.g. increases in smoking and sedentary lifestyles), in the absence of significant efforts to improve global cancer control, cancer mortality could increase to 12.9 million and cancer incidence to 20 million by the year 2030. Looking deeper into the data, it becomes clear that cancer-related stigma and myths about cancer are important problems that must be addressed, although different from a country to another. Stigmas about cancer present significant challenges to cancer control: stigma can have a silencing effect, whereby efforts to increase cancer awareness are negatively affected. The social, emotional, and financial devastation that all too often accompanies a diagnosis of cancer is, in large part, due to the cultural myths and taboos surrounding the disease. Combating stigma, myths, taboos, and overcoming silence will play important roles in changing this provisional trajectory. There are several reasons that cancer is stigmatized. Many people in our area perceived cancer to be a fatal disease. Cancer symptoms or body parts affected by the disease can cultivate stigma. Fears about treatment can also fuel stigma. There was evidence of myths associated with cancer, such as the belief that cancer is contagious, or cancer may be seen as a punishment. After reviewing these different examples of cultural myths and taboos met in cancer care, we can report these lessons learned: 1. Around the world, cancer continues to carry a significant amount of stigma, myths, and taboos; however, there are opportunities to capitalize upon shifting perceptions and positive change. 2. Awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survival are on the rise; however, too many people still report that they feel uninformed when it comes to cancer. 3. Communication is critical to decreasing cancer-related stigma, raising cancer awareness, and disseminating cancer education. People with a personal history of cancer-especially well-known or celebrity survivors-and multiple mass media channels are key resources for dissemination. 4. The school system represents a potential venue for cancer education, and increasing cancer awareness among children may be an investment with high returns. 5. When facing cancer, people around the world want information and emotional support for themselves and their families. 6. Tobacco use and poor nutrition are widely acknowledged as cancer risks. Programs and policies that help people translate this awareness into action are needed. The global cancer community should capitalize upon positive shifts in attitudes about awareness of cancer and leverage these shifts to develop, and disseminate effective media campaigns and behavioral interventions to decrease the incidence of and morbidity and mortality associated with cancer.

[Aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid tumor) : A rare differential diagnosis of metastasis of renal cell carcinoma]. / Aggressive Fibromatose (Desmoidfibromatose) : Seltene Differentialdiagnose einer Nierenzellkarzinommetastase.

We report the case of a 65-year-old woman with an aggressive fibromatosis of the rectus abdominis muscle suspicious for a metastasis of renal cell carcinoma after tumor nephrectomy 3 years previously. Aggressive fibromatoses (desmoid tumors) are rare semimalignant tumors of the connective tissue with local infiltration and destruction of tissue. Complete resection is essential to avoid tumor relapse. Aggressive fibromatosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma metastasis. Complete resection and subsequent radiotherapy seem to be the therapy of choice.

[Massive iatrogenic haemothorax treated by lidocaïne-adrenaline intercostal injection]. / Hémothorax iatrogène massif jugulé par injection intercostale de lidocaïne-adrénaline.

INTRODUCTION: Massive haemothorax is a relatively rare complication of thoracocentesis or the placement of tube thoracostomy. It is principally caused by intercostal vessel injury. The therapeutic approach consists in pleural drainage and sometimes thoracotomy for haemostasis. CASE REPORT: We describe a frail 72 year old patient, who developed a massive haemothorax occurring after a tube thoracostomy placing, persisting despite second pleural drainage, and complicated by deep haemodynamic shock. He was considered to have a very high risk of mortality if surgery was undertaken. Haemorrhage was totally stopped after intercostal instillation of lidocaïne-adrenaline. CONCLUSION: This case report suggests a role for pleural vasoconstrictor injection as initial treatment in case of persistent pleural haemorrhage caused by intercostal vessel injury.

Healthcare and workloss costs associated with patients with persistent asthma in a privately insured population.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate annual healthcare and workloss costs of patients with persistent asthma by severity. METHODS: A persistent asthma patient sample (<65 years) was selected from an employer claims database. Asthma persistence and severity were determined by a novel algorithm based on Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set criteria, Leidy's Reliever and Oral Steroid Method, and Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. Healthcare costs were compared between asthma patients and demographically matched controls and by asthma severity. RESULTS: Average annual excess costs for persistent patients were $4412 for health care and $924 for workloss (P < 0.01). Although costs for severe patients were higher than moderate patients (P < 0.05), moderate patients' costs were similar to that for mild patients. Persistent use of inhaled corticosteroids was lower in mild (9.0%) relative to moderate (78.1%) and severe (86.4%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent asthma is expensive. Underutilization of inhaled corticosteroids is higher in patients with mild persistent asthma.

Distance between the skin and the thoracic paravertebral space.

A fundamental requirement for the safe and effective performance of paravertebral blockade is reliable estimates of the depth from skin to paravertebral space at different thoracic levels. This distance was assessed using a nerve stimulator guided paravertebral blockade technique in 527 separate blocks in 186 patients scheduled for various surgical procedures on the trunk. The median skin-paravertebral depth was 55.0 mm. The skin-paravertebral distance at upper (T1-3) and lower (T9-12) thoracic levels were significantly greater than mid-thoracic levels (T4-8) (p < 0.05). Body mass index significantly influences this depth at upper and lower thoracic levels (p < 0.001) but not in the mid-thoracic region.