Spheroid Drug Sensitivity Screening in Glioma Stem Cell Lines.

In vitro drug sensitivity screens are important tools in the discovery of anti-cancer drug combination therapies. Typically, these in vitro drug screens are performed on cells grown in a monolayer. However, these two-dimensional (2D) models are considered less accurate compared to three-dimensional (3D) spheroid cell models; this is especially true for glioma stem cell lines.

The role of the RAPID score in surgical planning for empyema.

Background: The RAPID [Renal (urea), Age, fluid Purulence, Infection source, Dietary (albumin)] score is a validated scoring system which allows risk stratification in patients with pleural infection at presentation. Surgical intervention plays a key role in managing pleural empyema.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with complicated pleural effusions and/or empyema undergoing thoracoscopic or open decortication admitted to multiple affiliated Texas hospitals from September 1, 2014 to September 30, 2018.

A Survey to Assess Primary Care Physician Awareness of Complications Following Critical Illness.

Survivors of critical illness are at risk for post-intensive care syndrome (PICS, comprised of physical dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and neuropsychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress). Their family members and caregivers are at risk for PICS-F (PICS-family, comprised of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress). PICS and PICS-F are increasingly recognized in critical care; however, the awareness among primary providers of the domains and the terms of PICS/PICS-F is unknown.

Identification of therapeutic sensitivities in a spheroid drug combination screen of Neurofibromatosis Type I associated High Grade Gliomas.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) patients develop an array of benign and malignant tumors, of which Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNST) and High Grade Gliomas (HGG) have a dismal prognosis. About 15-20% of individuals with NF1 develop brain tumors and one third of these occur outside of the optic pathway. These non-optic pathway gliomas are more likely to progress to malignancy, especially in adults.