Diagnosis and laparoscopic management of retrocaval ureter: A review of the literature and our case series.

Objectives: To expose the diagnosis and the different laparoscopic approaches for the surgical management of patients with retrocaval ureter (RCU) and to share our experience on two cases.

Methods: Updated literature review on Pubmed and debating personal experiences including ours (double j stent insertion before the surgery, use of 4 trocards, transperitoneal approach, pyelopyelostomy for the anastomosis…), concerning the laparoscopic treatment of the RCU.

Results: Laparoscopic treatment of RCU is a recommended management for many reasons: less blood loss during the surgery, a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain and superior esthetic results with excellent functional results.

Effect of EDTA and QMIX Ultrasonic Activation on the Reduction of Microorganisms and Endotoxins in Ex Vivo Human Root Canals.

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of QMiX and 17% EDTA associated to passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) or manual agitation (MA) on the reduction of E. faecalis, E. coli and LPS from root canals.

Bilateral laparoscopic ureterolysis using hydrodissection in retroperitoneal fibrosis: a new application of an old technique.

To describe our new laparoscopic approach in ureterolysis using the ERBEJET 2 device to hydrodissect the ureters in idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. Bilateral laparoscopic ureterolysis was done after medical therapy failure (steroids) in a 47 year old patient with retroperitoneal fibrosis. Ureteral stents were placed before surgery.

Rational deprescribing in the elderly.

Background: Polypharmacy, defined as being prescribed 5 or more medications, has been shown to be associated with a decline in mental and physical functioning in elderly patients. Despite this, elderly patients are currently being prescribed a median of 7 medications, which often causes more harm than benefit, and emphasizes the importance of deprescribing.

Methods: Five classes of potentially inappropriate medications for the elderly population, especially for the aging brain, are discussed, including anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, opioids, and proton pump inhibitors.

Atopic dermatitis and the metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study of 116 816 patients.

Background: Data regarding the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and the metabolic syndrome are controversial.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in a large group of patients with AD compared to a matched reference group.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of AD patients diagnosed by a dermatologist between 1998 and 2016, and a matched comparison group was performed.

An Animal Model of Human Peripheral Arterial Bending and Deformation.

Background: Designing peripheral arterial stents has proved challenging, as implanted devices will repetitively and unpredictably deform and fatigue during movement. Preclinical testing is often inadequate, given the lack of relevant animal models. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that deformation of the human peripheral vasculature could be qualitatively and quantitatively modeled using an experimental animal.

Novel pleiotropic BRCA2 pathogenic variants in Lebanese families.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 associated pathogenic variants are the major cause of familial cases of early onset breast and ovarian cancers. Here we report two novel heterozygous pathogenic variants in exons 18 and 11 of the BRCA2 gene in two Lebanese families. The double nucleotide insertion c.

Effect of balloon guide catheter on clinical outcomes and reperfusion in Trevo thrombectomy.

Introduction: The Solitaire stent retriever registry showed improved reperfusion, faster procedure times, and better outcome in acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion treated with a balloon guide catheter (BGC) and Solitaire stent retriever compared with a conventional guide catheter. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether use of a BGC with the Trevo stent retriever improves outcomes compared with a conventional guide catheter.

Methods: The TRACK registry recruited 23 sites to submit demographic, clinical, and site adjudicated angiographic and outcome data on consecutive patients treated with the Trevo stent retriever.

Retracted: Using the Healthy Days Measure to Assess Factors Associated with Poor Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Metastatic Breast, Lung, or Colorectal Cancer Enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Health Plan.

The article entitled, "Using the Healthy Days Measure to Assess Factors Associated with Poor Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Metastatic Breast, Lung, or Colorectal Cancer Enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Health Plan," by Casebeer AW et al, which published online ahead of print in Population Health Management [doi: 10.1089/pop.2018.

Divergent Features of Mitochondrial Deficiencies in LGMD2A Associated With Novel Calpain-3 Mutations.

Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting. LGMD2A is caused by mutations in the calpain-3 gene (CAPN3) that encodes a Ca2+-dependent cysteine protease predominantly expressed in the skeletal muscle. Underlying pathological mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated.

Endovascular treatment of a penetrating injury of the suprarenal inferior vena cava.

In this case, a 22-year-old man sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen, which required in extremis surgical exploration with damage control laparotomy and hemostatic resuscitation in the surgical intensive care unit. Diagnostic angiography was negative and an inferior vena cava (IVC) injury was suspected. He was returned to the operating room, where the infrarenal IVC was accessed by direct puncture and venography demonstrated active extravasation of the suprarenal vena cava.

Impact of Antidepressant Use on the Trajectory of Alzheimer's Disease: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Implications.

The relationship between antidepressants and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is very complex, and the literature is mixed regarding the effect of these medications on the trajectory of the disease. This paper reviews findings from relevant clinical studies that have assessed the impact of antidepressants on AD onset and disease progression. To date, these medications seem to attenuate the risk of developing the disease without affecting the rate of progression.

Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, and Alzheimer Disease.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health and economic burden. With increasing aging population, this issue is expected to continue to rise. Neurodegenerative disorders are more common with aging population in general regardless of history of TBI.

Effect of maturation conditions on light and temperature requirements during seed germination of Citrullus colocynthis from the Arabian Desert.

Seed germination of Citrullus colocynthis, as in many other species of Cucurbitaceae, is inhibited by light, particularly at low temperatures. Germination response to light and temperature has been attributed to day length and temperature during seed maturation. This study assessed the effects of these factors on the germination response of C.

The relationship between comorbidity medication adherence and health related quality of life among patients with cancer.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that comorbidities compound the adverse influence of cancer on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Comorbidities adversely impact adherence to cancer treatment. Additionally, adherence to medications for comorbidities is positively associated with HRQoL for various diseases.

Phytochemical screening and antityrosinase activity of carvacrol, thymoquinone, and four essential oils of Lebanese plants.

Objective: In our study, we aim to explore the ability of four essential oils (EO) of Lebanese plants to inhibit the tyrosinase activity and to correlate their efficiency level to their phytochemical compositions.

Methods: The EO have been extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus and have been studied by GC-MS analysis. Active compounds of Origanum species were identified and antityrosinase activities of EO and active molecules (carvacrol and thymoquinone) have been tested in tubo.

A Patient-Reported Outcome Instrument to Assess Symptom Burden and Predict Survival in Patients with Advanced Cancer: Flipping the Paradigm to Improve Timing of Palliative and End-of-Life Discussions and Reduce Unwanted Health Care Costs.

Background: Discussions regarding palliative care and end-of-life care issues are frequently delayed past the time of usefulness, resulting in unwanted medical care. We sought to develop a patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument that allows patients to voice their symptom burdens and facilitate timing of discussions.

Subjects, Materials, And Methods: A seven-item PRO instrument (Cota Patient Assessed Symptom Score-7 item [CPASS-7]) covering physical performance status, pain, burden, and depression was administered (September 2015 through October 2016) with correlation to overall survival, correcting for time to complete survey since diagnosis.

An evaluation of memantine ER + donepezil for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide and carries an immense societal burden. Unfortunately, no curative or disease-modifying treatment has yet been discovered. The currently approved medications are symptomatic.

Islam, The Holy Qur'an, and Medical Decision-Making: The Experience of Middle Eastern Muslim Families with Children Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation in the United States.

Some Arabic-speaking Muslim family members of children requiring bone marrow transplantation receive medical care for their children in the United States. Muslim family members' use of Islam in the course of their child's bone marrow transplantation was studied using grounded theory, a qualitative research method. Eighteen members of Middle Eastern Muslim families with a total of 13 children receiving bone marrow transplantation were interviewed by an Arabic-speaking healthcare provider.

Optical Study and Experimental Realization of Nanostructured Back Reflectors with Reduced Parasitic Losses for Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells.

We study light trapping and parasitic losses in hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin film solar cells fabricated by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition on nanostructured back reflectors. The back reflectors are patterned using polystyrene assisted lithography. By using O₂ plasma etching of the polystyrene spheres, we managed to fabricate hexagonal nanostructured back reflectors.

Empathy changes in neurocognitive disorders: A review.

Background: Empathy can be broadly defined as the ability to understand what others feel (cognitive empathy) and feel what others feel (affective empathy). The capacity to empathize may be impaired in certain major neurocognitive disorders (MNCDs), affecting not only the patient, but also the caregivers.

Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies investigating empathy changes, using an objective scale, in patients with MNCDs.

Prevalence and Correlates of Criminal Behavior Among the Non-institutionalized Elderly: Results From the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Objectives: First to explore the prevalence of criminal behavior committed by the non-institutionalized geriatric American population. Second to determine the correlates of criminal behavior among this population.

Methods: We used data of the non-institutionalized adults aged ≥65 years in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2008 through 2014.

Factor VIII in Acute Cerebral Ischemia Pilot Study: Biomarker in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion?

We conducted a prospective serial laboratory cohort study to assess the correlation of factor VIII (FVIII) levels in response to thrombolysis in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Patients with AIS with anterior circulation LVO were eligible for enrollment if treated within 4.5 hours from last seen normal with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).