Cancer misinformation on social media.

Social media is widely used globally by patients, families of patients, health professionals, scientists, and other stakeholders who seek and share information related to cancer. Despite many benefits of social media for cancer care and research, there is also a substantial risk of exposure to misinformation, or inaccurate information about cancer. Types of misinformation vary from inaccurate information about cancer risk factors or unproven treatment options to conspiracy theories and public relations articles or advertisements appearing as reliable medical content. Many characteristics of social media networks-such as their extensive use and the relative ease it allows to share information quickly-facilitate the spread of misinformation. Research shows that inaccurate and misleading health-related posts on social media often get more views and engagement (e.g., likes, shares) from users compared with accurate information. Exposure to misinformation can have downstream implications for health-related attitudes and behaviors. However, combatting misinformation is a complex process that requires engagement from media platforms, scientific and health experts, governmental organizations, and the general public. Cancer experts, for example, should actively combat misinformation in real time and should disseminate evidence-based content on social media. Health professionals should give information prescriptions to patients and families and support health literacy. Patients and families should vet the quality of cancer information before acting upon it (e.g., by using publicly available checklists) and seek recommended resources from health care providers and trusted organizations. Future multidisciplinary research is needed to identify optimal ways of building resilience and combating misinformation across social media.

The Effect of Racial Concordance on Patient Trust in Online Videos About Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Black men have a higher risk of prostate cancer compared with White men, but Black adults are underrepresented in online content about prostate cancer. Across racial groups, the internet is a popular source of health information; Black adults are more likely to trust online health information, yet have more medical mistrust than White adults. Objective: To evaluate the association between racial representation in online content about prostate cancer and trust in the content and identify factors that influence trust. Design, Setting, and Participants: A randomized clinical trial was conducted from August 18, 2021, to January 7, 2022, consisting of a 1-time online survey. Participants included US men and women aged 40 years and older. Data were analyzed from January 2022 to June 2023. Interventions: Participants were randomized to watch the same video script about either prostate cancer screening or clinical trials presented by 1 of 4 speakers: a Black physician, a Black patient, a White physician, or a White patient, followed by a questionnaire. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a published scale for trust in the information. χ2 tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to compare trust according to the video's speaker and topic. Results: Among 2904 participants, 1801 (62%) were men, and the median (IQR) age was 59 (47-69) years. Among 1703 Black adults, a greater proportion had high trust in videos with Black speakers vs White speakers (72.7% vs 64.3%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.62; 95% CI, 1.28-2.05; P < .001); less trust with patient vs physician presenter (64.6% vs 72.5%; aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.49-0.80; P < .001) and about clinical trials vs screening (66.3% vs 70.7%; aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62-0.99; P = .04). Among White adults, a lower proportion had high trust in videos featuring a patient vs physician (72.0% vs 78.6%; aOR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.95; P = .02) and clinical trials vs screening (71.4% vs 79.1%; aOR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.42-0.76; P < .001), but no difference for Black vs White presenters (76.8% vs 73.7%; aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.83-1.48; P = .49). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, prostate cancer information was considered more trustworthy when delivered by a physician, but racial concordance was significantly associated with trust only among Black adults. These results highlight the importance of physician participation and increasing racial diversity in public dissemination of health information and an ongoing need for public education about clinical trials. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05886751.

Representation in Online Prostate Cancer Content Lacks Racial and Ethnic Diversity: Implications for Black and Latinx Men.

PURPOSE: Black men have the highest incidence and mortality from prostate cancer (PCa) and lower quality of life compared to other U.S. racial groups. Additionally, more Latinx men are diagnosed with advanced disease and fewer receive guideline-concordant care. As many men seek medical information online, high-quality information targeting diverse populations may mitigate disparities. We examined racial/ethnic representation and information quality in online PCa content. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrieved 150 websites and 150 videos about "prostate cancer" using the most widely used search engine (Google) and social network (YouTube). We assessed quality of health information, reading level, perceived race/ethnicity of people featured in the content and discussion of racial/ethnic disparities. RESULTS: Among 81 websites and 127 videos featuring people, 37% and 24% had perceived Black representation, and racial/ethnic disparities were discussed in 27% and 17%, respectively. Among 1,526 people featured, 9% and 1% were perceived as Black and Latinx, respectively. No content with Black or Latinx representation was high quality, understandable, actionable and at the recommended reading level. CONCLUSIONS: Black and Latinx adults are underrepresented in online PCa content. Online media have significant potential for public education and combating health disparities. However, most PCa content lacks diversity and is not readily understandable.

Synthesis and crystal structures of three new benzotriazolylpropanamides.

The base-catalyzed Michael addition of 2-methyl-acryl-amide to benzotriazole afforded 3-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-2-methyl-propanamide, C10H12N4O (1), in 32% yield in addition to small amounts of isomeric 3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-2-methyl-propanamide, C10H12N4O (2). In a similar manner, 3-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N-di-methyl-propanamide, C11H14N4O (3), was prepared from benzotriazole and N,N-di-methyl-acryl-amide. All three products have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 comprise infinite arrays formed by N-H⋯O and N-H⋯N bridges, as well as π-π inter-actions, while the mol-ecules of 3 are aggregated to simple π-dimers in the crystal.

Penetration of a metallic femoral head through the acetabular shell.

Extensive wear of a metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty may rarely result in erosion of the metal-backed acetabular shell and penetration of the femoral head. We report on the case of an 85-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with an apparent dislocated total hip. He subsequently was discovered to have a periprosthetic fracture after an attempt at closed reduction of what was only discovered intraoperatively to be an irreducible transacetabular component central dislocation. Recognition of this rare complication may change clinical outcome.

Asthma and activities of daily living.

The provider's ability to judge the severity of a patient's illness is a vital part of the care of chronic disorders. In the treatment of asthma, it should extend beyond the objectively quantifiable measures of obstruction or inflammation. "Interference with activities of daily living" is a highly subjective assessment that may not allow quantitative comparisons, but it matters to the patient. Interventions aimed at lessening the burden of asthma on the daily life of the patient and his or her family may hold the key to improvement in a broader range of outcome measures.

Semiconductor nanoparticle/polystyrene latex composite materials.

Cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide/cadmium sulfide core/shell nanoparticles stabilized with poly(cysteine acrylamide) have been bound to polystyrene (PS) latexes by three methods. First, anionic 5 nm diameter CdS particles were electrostatically attached to 130 nm surfactant-free cationic PS latexes to form stable dispersions when the amount of CdS particles was less than 10% of the amount required to form a monolayer on the surface of the PS particles or when the amount of CdS particles exceeded the amount required to form a monolayer on the PS particles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed nanoparticles on the surface of the latex particles. Fluorescence spectra showed unchanged emission from the nanoparticles. Second, anionic, surfactant-free PS latexes were synthesized in the presence of CdS and CdSe/CdS nanoparticles. TEM showed monodisperse latex particles with trapped nanoparticles. Third, surfactant-stabilized latexes were synthesized by copolymerization of styrene with vinylbenzyl(trimethyl)ammonium chloride electrostatically bound to the CdSe/CdS nanoparticle surface. Brownian motion of the submicroscopic composite particles in water was detected by fluorescence microscopy.

Assessing the accuracy of caries diagnosis via radiograph. Film versus print.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted this study to determine if proximal caries diagnoses made using bitewing radiographic images printed on photographic paper were comparable with diagnoses made using traditional radiographic film images. METHODS: The authors digitized 15 posterior bitewing radiographs that contained 74 carious and 127 sound unrestored proximal surfaces and printed them on photographic paper. Fourteen dentists evaluated the radiographs and two printed image formats (4 x 3 centimeters and 8 x 6 cm) for evidence of caries. The diagnostic accuracy and interobserver agreement for caries diagnoses obtained in the two printed image formats were compared with those for radiographic film images. RESULTS: Overall, the diagnostic accuracy of printed images did not differ significantly from radiographic film images for dentinal caries. However, for caries limited to the enamel surface, a decrease in sensitivity was noted in six of the 14 observers for the smaller print images, while no significant differences in the diagnoses of enamel caries were observed among any of the observers in the enlarged print format. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that printed images can be used to diagnose dental caries reliably. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study indicate that the diagnostic information obtained by viewing printed images is equivalent to that obtained by viewing standard radiographs. Size of the printed image also may be important in caries diagnosis and care must be taken to print bitewing radiographic images at a size that optimizes interpretation. Other factors that must be considered are the type of printer, printer resolution, paper quality and type of ink used. With careful consideration of printing parameters, clinicians can be assured of diagnostic quality in printed images.

The effects of electrostimulation on parotid saliva flow: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Saliva is a critical fluid necessary for oral health. Medications, radiation therapy, and systemic conditions can decrease salivary function and increase a patient's risk for caries and other oral infections. Palliative management of xerostomia includes wetting agents such as ice chips and saliva substitutes. Systemic agents stimulate salivary flow but often have unfavorable side effects. All have met with limited success. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) as a means of stimulating salivary function in healthy adult subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-two healthy, adult subjects with no history of salivary gland disorder enrolled in the protocol. The TENS electrode pads were placed externally on the skin overlying the parotid glands. Unstimulated saliva was collected for 5 minutes via the Carlson-Crittenden cup into preweighed vials using standardized collection techniques. The TENS unit was then activated and stimulated saliva collected for an additional 5 minutes. RESULTS: Fifteen of 22 subjects demonstrated increased parotid salivary flow when stimulated via the TENS unit. Five experienced no increase and 2 experienced a decrease. The mean unstimulated salivary flow rate was 0.02418 mL/min (SD 0.03432) and mean stimulated salivary flow rate was 0.04946 mL/min (SD 0.04328). Statistical analysis of flow rates utilizing the paired t test demonstrated the difference to be statistically significant, P < .001. In 7 subjects with 0 baseline flow, 5 continued to have no flow. CONCLUSIONS: The TENS unit was effective in increasing parotid gland salivary flow in two-thirds of healthy adult subjects. A further study in a cohort of patients with salivary gland disorders is warranted.

Surface heterogeneity of polystyrene latex particles determined by dynamic force microscopy.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to characterize the surface chemistry distribution on individual polystyrene latex particles. The particles were obtained by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization and contained hydrophilic quaternary ammonium chloride, sodium sulfonate, or hydroxyethyl groups. The phase shift in dynamic force mode AFM is sensitive to charge/chemical interactions between an oscillating atomic force microscope tip and a sample surface. In this work, the phase imaging technique distinguished phase domains of 50-100 nm on the surfaces of dried latex particles in ambient air. The domains are attributed to the separation of ion-rich and ion-poor components of the polymer on the particle surface.

Catalysis by hydrophobically modified poly(propylenimine) dendrimers having quaternary ammonium and tertiary amine functionality.

Four different quaternary ammonium chloride-modified poly(propylenimine) (PPI) dendrimers were synthesized by alkylation of a PPI dendrimer having eight dimethylamino end groups with 1-bromooctane or 1-bromododecane. By varying the mole ratio of alkyl bromide to dendrimer, averages of 4-10 quaternary ammonium groups were formed. The new amphiphilic dendrimers are surface active and are micellar catalysts in water. The dendrimers have critical aggregation concentrations between 8.5 x 10(-4) and 9.0 x 10(-5) M. Decarboxylation of 6-nitrobenzisoxazole-3-carboxylate at 25 degrees C was 650 times faster than in water alone in the presence of a dendrimer quaternized with eight dodecyl chains at a concentration of 2.45 mM in quaternary ammonium groups. The order of the catalytic efficiency of the new dendrimers decreased with the length and number of hydrophobic alkyl groups in the order (C(12))(8) > (C(12))(4) > (C(8))(10) > (C(8))(5). The pseudo-first-order rate constants for basic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl hexanoate in pH 9.4 buffer at 30 degrees C using the (C(12))(8) and (C(12))(4) dendrimers were 26 and 13 times higher than those for hydrolysis with no dendrimer. The kinetic data were fit to a single-site binding model to evaluate the contributions of binding constants of reactants to the dendrimers and catalytic rate constants of the bound species to the overall catalytic activity.

Nanoscale compression of polymer microspheres by atomic force microscopy.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to probe the mechanical properties of surface-charged polystyrene microspheres with 1-12 mol% of vinylbenzyl(trimethyl)ammonium chloride (VBTA) units. On the basis of Hertz's theory of contact mechanics, compressive moduli between 1 and 2 GPa were measured by the analysis of force-displacement curves captured on the particles via the force-volume technique. The deformation of the top of the polystyrene particles by the AFM tip was used to calculate the surface modulus. The compressive moduli are slightly less than the moduli of polystyrene bulk materials. The modulus of the polystyrene microspheres increases with an increase of the VBTA content.

Cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide/cadmium sulfide nanoparticles stabilized in water with poly(cysteine acrylamide).

Cysteine acrylamide (N-acryloyl L-cysteine) stabilizes CdS nanoparticles as the particles form in aqueous dispersions. Cysteine acrylamide also exchanges for citrate on the surfaces of CdSe and core/shell CdSe/CdS nanoparticles to provide greater stability. Heating of the nanoparticle dispersions polymerizes the cysteine acrylamide on the surface to form a more efficient polydentate stabilizer. The polymer-coated nanoparticle dispersions are colloidally stable even after removal of low molecular weight solutes by dialysis. Emission quantum yields of the polymer-coated CdSe and CdSe/CdS samples were 0.9% and 2.6%, respectively, after aging of the samples in light. CdSe/CdS coated with poly(cysteine acrylamide) is colloidally stable for at least two years in the dark at 5 degrees C.

Oral candidosis.

Oral candidosis is the most common opportunistic fungal infection encountered in dentistry. Normally a benign inhabitant of mucous membranes, the fungal organism, Candida albicans, may present serious, even life-threatening infection in specific patient populations. As an opportunistic organism, Candida albicans is extremely responsive to any process resulting in immunosuppression. The clinical manifestations of oral candidosis are variable, occasionally complicating the clinical diagnosis and management. Treatment is often initially rendered based on a provisional clinical diagnosis and supplemented with adjunctive laboratory tests. Specific therapeutic intervention should be tailored to the individual patient, based on the current health status of the patient and the clinical presentation and severity of the infection.

Pseudomembranous candidosis in nephrotic syndrome: a case report.

A 33-year-old male presented for evaluation of several large, recently discovered white oral lesions of unknown duration. Clinical examination revealed multiple white plaques on the soft palate, uvula, buccal mucosa, and tongue. These lesions could be wiped away, leaving an erythematous base. The lesions were asymptomatic, and the patient did not report difficulty in swallowing. The patient's medical history was noteworthy for several significant diagnoses within the previous 6 months: type 2 diabetes mellitus, mild systolic hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and adult idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, determined by kidney biopsy to be caused by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. A provisional diagnosis of pseudomembraneous candidosis was made, and the patient responded to a 14-day course of clotrimazole, administered in 10-mg troches, five times a day. Management of nephrotic syndrome predisposes patients to recurrent fungal infections, and the disease has implications for the selection of systemic antifungal agents.

A large randomized placebo controlled study of auricular acupuncture for alcohol dependence.

We report clinical data on the efficacy of acupuncture for alcohol dependence. 503 patients whose primary substance of abuse was alcohol participated in this randomized, single blind, placebo controlled trial. Patients were assigned to either specific acupuncture, nonspecific acupuncture, symptom based acupuncture or convention treatment alone. Alcohol use was assessed, along with depression, anxiety, functional status, and preference for therapy. This article will focus on results pertaining to alcohol use. Significant improvement was shown on nearly all measures. There were few differences associated with treatment assignment and there were no treatment differences on alcohol use measures, although 49% of subjects reported acupuncture reduced their desire for alcohol. The placebo and preference for treatment measures did not materially effect the results. Generally, acupuncture was not found to make a significant contribution over and above that achieved by conventional treatment alone in reduction of alcohol use.

Building young people's public lives: one foundation's strategy.

Foundations are awakening to the untapped potential of serious, policy-focused community change efforts led by teenagers and young adults. This chapter lays out background questions, a point of view, and programmatic strategies that one foundation developed for supporting young people who are taking direct action to improve their lives and communities.