Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) marked a before and after in the management of gastric acid‐related disorders since their introduction to the market in 1989. Due to a novel, highly effective mechanism of action blocking the last converging step of gastric acid secretion by parietal cells and very few and mostly tolerable side effects, these drugs quickly displaced other pharmacological compounds such as H2 antagonists as the first treatment choice for peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated ulcers, and eradication of Helicobacter pylori, leading to an exponential increase in their prescription up to now. However, widespread PPI use has led to emerging evidence of long-term adverse effects not described previously, including increased risk of kidney, liver, and cardiovascular disease, dementia, enteroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, susceptibility to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, and impaired absorption of nutrients. Although the evidence published thus far has not established strong correlations, it has been relevant enough to raise new questions about PPIs’ safety profile and reconsideration of their clinical indications. Hence, the aim of this review is to evaluate the association between PPI use and the risk of serious adverse effects given increasing concerns about the overuse of PPIs in the general population.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Despite improvement in standardized screening methods and the development of promising therapies, the 5-year survival rates are as low as 10% in the metastatic setting. The increasing life expectancy of the general population, higher rates of obesity, poor diet, and comorbidities contribute to the increasing trends in incidence. Drug repurposing offers an affordable solution to achieve new indications for previously approved drugs that could play a protagonist or adjuvant role in the treatment of CRC with the advantage of treating underlying comorbidities and decreasing chemotherapy toxicity. This review elaborates on the current data that supports drug repurposing as a feasible option for patients with CRC with a focus on the evidence and mechanism of action promising repurposed candidates that are widely used, including but not limited to anti-malarial, anti-helminthic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-diabetic agents.

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs) are benign mixed glioneuronal neoplasms that frequently occur in children and young adults. We present the case of a 17-year-old male who arrived at the hospital following seizure-like activity. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a 10 x 8 x 10 mm, ovalshaped, non-enhancing, well-defined mass within the right hippocampus. The patient underwent a transcortical approach via the middle temporal gyrus for resection of the mass; histopathological examination demonstrated the presence of round, uniform cells in an extensively myxoid background with diffuse reactivity to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). DNETs are considered benign, non-recurring lesions. Complete surgical resection is associated with a seizure-free outcome in 80% to 100% of cases.

Venezuelans have been living in a humanitarian crisis since 2014 and the effect of this adverse environment on the mental of the population is unknown. This article aims to determinate the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms of adults and factors related during the beginning of the humanitarian crisis of Venezuela. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were determined using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). 3,241 adults were evaluated with mean age of 41.1 ± 15.7 years. Anxiety prevalence was 14.7% (women 19.3% and men 9.5%; p < 0.001) and depression prevalence was 3.1% (women 4.0% and men 2.2%; p < 0.001). Independently of age and gender, anxiety was associated with hypertension and tobacco use, and depressive symptoms was associated with smokeless tobacco use, and sedentary lifestyle. Compared to subjects with high/middle socioeconomic status (SES), those with poor and extremely poor SES were more likely to have anxiety, and depression.