Equine-assisted services for individuals with substance use disorders: a scoping review.

The implementation of equine-assisted services (EAS) during treatment for psychological disorders has been frequently documented; however, little is known about the effect of EAS on outcomes for populations with substance use disorder (SUD). The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize existing literature reporting the effects of EAS when incorporated into SUD treatment. This review followed guidelines in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist for scoping reviews.

Changes in alcohol use during hepatitis C treatment in persons who inject drugs.

People who inject drugs (PWID) are a vulnerable population at high risk for acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV) and frequently suffer from comorbid alcohol use. This study examines the characteristics and correlates of alcohol use among study participants, the association between alcohol consumption and sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients receiving HCV treatment, changes in drinking behaviours during HCV treatment and associations of drinking over time with specific models of HCV treatment. Participants were 150 PWID with HCV who were receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and enrolled in a randomized clinical trial exploring the effectiveness of three models of care for HCV treatment.

Rationale, design, and methodology of a randomized pilot trial of an integrated intervention combining computerized behavioral therapy and recovery coaching for people with opioid use disorder: The OVERCOME study.

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) has led to a staggering death toll in terms of drug-related overdoses. Despite the demonstrated benefits and effectiveness of buprenorphine, retention is suboptimal, and patients typically present with high rates of ongoing polysubstance use during treatment. A pilot trial provided preliminary support for the efficacy of computer-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT4CBT) as an add-on to buprenorphine in reducing substance use.

Neglecting physician desires to teach at an academic medical facility: A mixed method investigation of the consequences.

Purpose: Recent findings have suggested that physicians who spend more time participating in their most meaningful job activities (e.g. teaching) are less likely to experience burnout.

Effect of near real-time feedback tool in the electronic medical record on protocol compliance during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single-center retrospective analysis.

Implementation of evidence-based medicine has proved difficult across medical fields. Leveraging the electronic medical record may improve clinician compliance to published best practices. Our hypothesis was that the use of a near real-time feedback tool would improve compliance to the protocol steps.

Utility of the RENAL Nephrometry Scoring System in Predicting Adverse Events and Outcomes of Percutaneous Microwave Ablation of Renal Tumors.

Purpose: To assess the utility of the radius, exophytic/endophytic, nearness to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, and location relative to polar lines (RENAL) nephrometry scoring system at predicting adverse events and outcomes in percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of renal tumors.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of 116 patients who underwent MWA from 2004 to 2018 at 2 large university hospitals was conducted. Patient demographics and tumor characteristics were collected.

Relationship between depressive symptoms and adherence to direct-acting antivirals: Implications for Hepatitis C treatment among people who inject drugs on medications for opioid use disorder.

Background: Interferon-based regimens exacerbated depressive symptoms, which interfered with treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID). Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) are not associated with worsening depressive symptoms; however, the impact of depressive symptoms on adherence remains little known. We examined the association between depressive symptoms and adherence to DAA among HCV-infected PWID.

A Photographic Case of Frostbite Treated with Delayed Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Davis, Ashlee, Brent Sinopoli, Nathaniel Mann, and Antine E. Stenbit. A photographic case of frostbite treated with delayed hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Examining the Effectiveness of Gamification in Mental Health Apps for Depression: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Previous research showed that computerized cognitive behavioral therapy can effectively reduce depressive symptoms. Some mental health apps incorporate gamification into their app design, yet it is unclear whether features differ in their effectiveness to reduce depressive symptoms over and above mental health apps without gamification.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether mental health apps with gamification elements differ in their effectiveness to reduce depressive symptoms when compared to those that lack these elements.

Effectiveness of peer recovery support services on stages of the opioid use disorder treatment cascade: A systematic review.

Background: Peer recovery support services (PRSS) have been increasingly incorporated during the recovery process for opioid use disorder (OUD), yet little is known about the effects of PRSS on clinical outcomes of individuals who misuse opioids. This study systematically synthesized existing literature reporting the effectiveness of PRSS interventions on stages of the OUD treatment cascade.

Methods: A search conducted on five databases identified studies from database inception to January 26th 2021 that evaluated the effects of PRSS on PRSS engagement, medication for OUD (MOUD) initiation, MOUD retention, opioid and non-opioid misuse, and remission.

Changes in Health-related Quality of Life for Hepatitis C Virus-Infected People Who Inject Drugs While on Opioid Agonist Treatment Following Sustained Virologic Response.

Background: Although efforts to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people who inject drugs (PWID) yield high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), the relationship between successful HCV treatment and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among PWID is poorly understood. We examined HRQOL changes throughout HCV treatment and post-treatment for PWID achieving SVR.

Methods: Participants included 141 PWID who achieved SVR following HCV treatment onsite at 3 opioid agonist treatment (OAT) clinics in the Bronx, New York.

Racial differences in the risk of second primary bladder cancer following radiation therapy among localized prostate cancer patients.

Objectives: To investigate the race-specific second primary bladder cancer (SPBC) risk following prostatic irradiation.

Methods: Louisiana residents who were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (PCa) in 1996-2013 and received surgery or radiation were included. Patients were followed until SPBC diagnosis, death, or Dec.

Utilizing patient perception of group treatment in exploring medication adherence, social support, and quality of life outcomes in people who inject drugs with hepatitis C.

People who inject drugs (PWID) have a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Group treatment is a practical option for addressing barriers to treatment in this population. Prior research on group treatment has resulted in mixed conclusions about its effectiveness in addressing barriers to treatment.

The Impact of the Disease Model of Substance Use Disorder on Evidence Based Practice Adoption and Stigmatizing Attitudes: A Comparative Analysis.

Background: Evidence-based practices are shown to improve health outcomes in persons with substance use disorder (SUD), but practice adoption is often limited by stigma. Stigma towards these patients leads to poor communication, missed diagnoses, and treatment avoidance.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to survey a rural community to conceptualize knowledge and attitudes towards SUD and opioid use disorder.

Hepatitis C Virus Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment Adherence Patterns and Sustained Viral Response Among People Who Inject Drugs Treated in Opioid Agonist Therapy Programs.

Background: Adequate medication adherence is critical for achieving sustained viral response (SVR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID). However, it is less known which patterns of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment adherence are associated with SVR in this population or what factors are associated with each pattern.

Methods: The randomized 3-arm PREVAIL study used electronic blister packs to obtain daily time frame adherence data in opiate agonist therapy program settings.

Accounting for confounding by time, early intervention adoption, and time-varying effect modification in the design and analysis of stepped-wedge designs: application to a proposed study design to reduce opioid-related mortality.

Background: Beginning in 2019, stepped-wedge designs (SWDs) were being used in the investigation of interventions to reduce opioid-related deaths in communities across the United States. However, these interventions are competing with external factors such as newly initiated public policies limiting opioid prescriptions, media awareness campaigns, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, control communities may prematurely adopt components of the intervention as they become available.

High HCV cure rates among people who inject drugs and have suboptimal adherence: A patient-centered approach to HCV models of care.

Background: Though people who inject drugs (PWID) make up the majority of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic, concerns about adherence often exclude PWID from receiving direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medication. The most effective models of HCV care to promote sustained virologic response (SVR) and high adherence need to be evaluated.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in three opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in the Bronx, NY.

Declines in Depressive Symptoms Among People who Inject Drugs Treated With Direct-Acting Antivirals While on Opioid Agonist Therapy.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) frequently co-occurs with symptoms of depression, which are aggravated on interferon-based regimens. However, it is unknown whether HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has effects on depressive symptoms among people who inject drugs (PWID). In this study, we examined changes in depressive symptoms during and after HCV treatment among PWID on opioid agonist therapies (OATs).

Cancer Predisposition Syndromes Associated With Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas.

Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas (pHGG) are among the deadliest childhood brain tumors and can be associated with an underlying cancer predisposing syndrome. The thorough understanding of these syndromes can aid the clinician in their prompt recognition, leading to an informed genetic counseling for families and to a wider understanding of a specific genetic landscape of the tumor for target therapies. In this review, we summarize the main pHGG-associated cancer predisposing conditions, providing a guide for suspecting these syndromes and referring for genetic counseling.

Knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability of direct-acting antiviral hepatitis C treatment among people incarcerated in jail: A qualitative study.

Introduction: While U.S. jails are critical sites for engagement in HCV care, short lengths-of-stay often do not permit treatment in jail.

Rates of perfect self-reported adherence to direct-acting antiviral therapy and its correlates among people who inject drugs on medications for opioid use disorder: The PREVAIL study.

Adequate adherence to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is critical to attaining sustained virologic response (SVR). In this PREVAIL study's secondary analyses, we explored the association between self-reported and objective DAAs adherence among a sample of people who inject drugs (PWID) receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) (N = 147). Self-reported adherence was recoded 3 times during treatment (weeks 4, 8 and 12) using a visual analog scale (VAS), whereas objective adherence was collected continuously during treatment using electronic blister packs.