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Problem Gambling (PG) represents a serious problem for affected individuals, their families and society in general. Previous approaches to understanding PG have been confined to only a subset of the psychobiological factors influencing PG. We present a model that attempts to integrate potential causal factors across levels of organization, providing empirical evidence from the vast literature on PG and complimentary literatures in decision-making and addiction. The model posits that components are arranged systematically to bias decisions in favor of either immediately approaching or avoiding targets affording the opportunity for immediate reward. Dopamine, Testosterone and Endogenous Opioids favor immediate approach, while Serotonin and Cortisol favor inhibition. Glutamate is involved in associative learning between stimuli and promotes the approach response through its link to the DA reward system. GABA functions to monitor performance and curb impulsive decision-making. Finally, while very high levels of Norepinephrine can induce arousal to an extent that is detrimental to sound decision-making, the reactivity of the Norepinephrine system and its effects of Cortisol levels can shift the focus towards long-term consequences, thereby inhibiting impulsive decisions. Empirical evidence is provided showing the effects of each component on PG and decision-making across behavioural, neuropsychological, functional neuroimaging and genetic levels. Last, an effect size analysis of the growing pharmacotherapy literature is presented. It is hoped that this model will stimulate multi-level research to solidify our comprehension of biased decision-making in PG and suggest pharmacological and psychological approaches to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) is an established treatment for patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (uCRLM). Until recently, HAI was only performed at a limited number of centers. We previously reported early outcomes suggesting that implementation of a new HAI program is safe and feasible. Here, we report perioperative and oncologic outcomes from an expanded series of patients with uCRLM treated with HAI., Methods: We analyzed outcomes from consecutive patients with uCRLM who underwent HAI pump (HAIP) placement at Duke University Hospital from 2018 to 2023. Demographics, prior treatment, and perioperative and oncologic outcomes were assessed., Results: Overall, 102 patients underwent HAIP placement for uCRLM; 62% were male and median age was 51 years. Most patients (97%) received a median of 12 (range 0-66) prior chemotherapy cycles. Postoperative HAI-specific complications occurred in 23% of patients, including biliary sclerosis in 6%, and the 90-day mortality rate was 3%. 20% converted to resection, 4% underwent transplant, and 2% achieved complete response at 6 months after floxuridine initiation. Median hepatic and extrahepatic progression-free survival (PFS) was 15.7 months and 11.6 months, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) was 38 months from the time of pump implantation (median follow-up time: 30 months)., Conclusions: HAI for uCRLM is safe, feasible, and effective at a new center, with outcomes that recapitulate those previously reported by established centers. Future analysis of our institutional data, which includes mutation status, primary tumor sidedness, and extent of prior therapy could inform selection and treatment strategies for new HAI programs., Competing Interests: Disclosures: John H. Strickler reports consultant or advisory roles for Abbvie, Agenus, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Beigene, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eli Lilly, GSK, Johnson and Johnson, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Natera, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, Regeneron, Sanofi, Taiho, Takeda, and Xilio Therapeutics; stock options for Triumvira Immunologics; and research funding or contracted research for Abbvie, Amgen, AStar D3, Bayer, Beigene, Curegenix, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eli Lilly, Erasca, GSK, Leap Therapeutics, Novartis, Pfizer, Quanta Therapeutics, Revolution Medicines, and Roche/Genentech. Benjamin Wildman-Tobriner reports a consultant role for See-Mode Technologies. Annie Liu, Melissa Lowe, Donna Niedzwiecki, Kristen E. Rhodin, Jeremy Sharib, Terence Z. Wong, Charles Y. Kim, Julie Thacker, Christopher Mantyh, John Migaly, Billy Y. Lan, S. David Hsu, Daniel Nussbaum, Sabino Zani, Hope Uronis, Peter J. Allen, and Michael E. Lidsky have no disclosures to declare that may be relevant to the contents of this study., (© 2024. Society of Surgical Oncology.)

Objective: To determine the interobserver variability for complications of pancreatoduodenectomy as defined by the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) and others., Background: Good interobserver variability for the definitions of surgical complications is of major importance in comparing surgical outcomes between and within centers. However, data on interobserver variability for pancreatoduodenectomy-specific complications are lacking., Methods: International cross-sectional multicenter study including 52 raters from 13 high-volume pancreatic centers in 8 countries on 3 continents. Per center, 4 experienced raters scored 30 randomly selected patients after pancreatoduodenectomy. In addition, all raters scored 6 standardized case vignettes. This variability and the "within centers" variability were calculated for 2-fold scoring (no complication/grade A vs grade B/C) and 3-fold scoring (no complication/grade A vs grade B vs grade C) of postoperative pancreatic fistula, postpancreatoduodenectomy hemorrhage, chyle leak, bile leak, and delayed gastric emptying. Interobserver variability is presented with Gwet AC-1 measure for agreement., Results: Overall, 390 patients after pancreatoduodenectomy were included. The overall agreement rate for the standardized cases vignettes for 2-fold scoring was 68% (95% CI: 55%-81%, AC1 score: moderate agreement), and for 3-fold scoring 55% (49%-62%, AC1 score: fair agreement). The mean "within centers" agreement for 2-fold scoring was 84% (80%-87%, AC1 score; substantial agreement)., Conclusions: The interobserver variability for the ISGPS-defined complications of pancreatoduodenectomy was too high even though the "within centers" agreement was acceptable. Since these findings will decrease the quality and validity of clinical studies, ISGPS has started efforts aimed at reducing the interobserver variability., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Topical adapalene gel is an effective and well tolerated acne treatment that transitioned from prescription to over-the-counter (OTC) availability in 2016. Historically, prescription to OTC transitions have lowered costs to patients and payers and increased access to medications. This study used sales and prescriber data to assess access to topical retinoid therapies and their costs in the pre- and post- Rx-to-OTC transition. We demonstrate that the prescription to OTC transition of adapalene gel increased access to this medication, while lowering costs to patients and payers, including Medicare patients. These results provide a necessary call to action for future OTC shifts with other high safety profile, well-tolerated medications in ultimate efforts and hopes of cost savings for patients, insurers, and Medicare within our healthcare industry., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: This meta-analysis investigated the effects of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols compared to conventional care on postoperative outcomes in patients aged 70 years or older undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD)., Methods: Five databases were systematically searched. Comparative studies with available individual patient data (IPD) were included. The main outcomes were postoperative morbidity, length of stay, readmission and postoperative functional recovery elements. To assess an age-dependent effect, the group was divided in septuagenarians (70-79 years) and older patients (≥80 years)., Results: IPD were obtained from 15 of 31 eligible studies comprising 1109 patients. The overall complication and major complication rates were comparable in both groups (OR 0.92 [95% CI: 0.65-1.29], p = .596 and OR 1.22 [95% CI: 0.61-2.46], p = .508). Length of hospital stay tended to be shorter in the ERAS group compared to the conventional care group (-0.14 days [95% CI: -0.29 to 0.01], p = .071) while readmission rates were comparable and the total length of stay including days in hospital after readmission tended to be shorter in the ERAS group (-0.28 days [95% CI: -0.62 to 0.05], p = .069). In the subgroups, the length of stay was shorter in octogenarians treated with ERAS (-0.36 days [95% CI: -0.71 to -0.004], p = .048). The readmission rate increased slightly but not significantly while the total length of stay was not longer in the ERAS group., Conclusion: ERAS in the elderly is safe and its benefits are preserved in the care of even in patients older than 80 years. Standardized care protocol should be encouraged in all pancreatic centers., (© 2024 Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background/objectives: Pediatric vulvar disease has not been widely explored in the medical literature. Few studies focus on vulvar disease in skin of color. The vulvar disease can be distressing for young patients given the sensitive location, and providers may lack experience in diagnosing and managing vulvar dermatoses. We sought to characterize the conditions seen, diagnostic challenges encountered, and the racial and ethnic factors associated with vulvar diseases in our multidisciplinary pediatric dermatology-gynecology vulvar clinic at Children's National., Methods: Medical records of 220 patients who presented to our multidisciplinary pediatric dermatology-gynecology clinic were reviewed retrospectively., Results: Lichen sclerosus (LS) (36%, n = 80), inflammatory vulvitis (11%, n = 23), and vitiligo (9%, n = 19) were the three most frequent conditions observed. These conditions were often misdiagnosed as one another. There was a mean delay in diagnosis after symptom onset in LS patients of 16.43 months., Conclusions: LS, inflammatory vulvitis, and vitiligo are common vulvar diseases among pediatric patients. Accurate diagnosis is important because LS must be treated aggressively to prevent sequelae. Further studies are warranted to help differentiate LS and vitiligo with consideration of skin tone., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a benign dermatosis consisting of folliculocentric keratotic papules or pustules with surrounding erythema, often on proximal extensor surfaces of extremities. Management strategies for KP largely center on moisturization and exfoliation. Urea, a well-established ingredient in topical skincare, is a component of the natural moisturizing factors with concentration-dependent humectant, emollient, and exfoliative properties.  Given the overlap of urea’s properties and management goals of KP, a 4-week, open-label, noncomparative clinical study was conducted to evaluate a moisturizing cream formulated with 20% urea for use in KP.  Thirty participants aged 18 to 65 years with KP completed this study. After a 5-day washout period, study participants applied a 20% urea cream once daily to areas of KP for 4 weeks. At baseline, 1-week, and 4-week visits, clinical grading of skin texture, adverse event monitoring, and participant satisfaction questionnaires were conducted. After 1 week and 4 weeks of product use, the percent change in skin smoothness/texture from baseline was significant (P≤0.001). Furthermore, after 4 weeks of use, the majority of participants indicated satisfaction with the feel of their skin, as well as improved confidence and decreased embarrassment related to their skin. No significant adverse events were reported. Overall, the results of this study support that 20% urea cream is generally well tolerated and suitable for use in treating KP. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(1):1274-1277.     doi:10.36849/JDD.7806.