Measurement properties and interpretability of the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure.

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are crucial in assessing the impact of dermatological conditions on people's lives, but the existing dermatology-specific PROMs are not recommended for use, according to COSMIN. We developed the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure in partnership with patients. It has strong evidence of content validity, structural validity, internal consistency, acceptability and feasibility.

Fibroblast activation protein regulates natural killer cell migration, extravasation and tumor infiltration.

Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in physiologic and pathologic conditions such as pregnancy, infection, autoimmune disease and cancer. In cancer, numerous strategies have been designed to exploit the cytolytic properties of NK cells, with variable success. A major hurdle to NK-cell focused therapies is NK cell recruitment and infiltration into tumors.

Further refinement of the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure using classical test theory and item response theory.

Background: Existing dermatology-specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) do not fully capture the substantial physical, psychological and social impact of dermatological conditions on patients' lives and are not recommended for use according to the COSMIN criteria. Most were developed with insufficient patient involvement and relied on classical psychometric methods. We are developing the new Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure for use in research and clinical practice in partnership with patients.

Evidence of the content validity, acceptability, and feasibility of a new Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases measure.

Background: The Global Research on the Impact of Dermatological Diseases (GRIDD) team is developing the new Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure of the impact of dermatological conditions on the patient's life, in partnership with patients. To develop PRIDD, we conducted a systematic review, followed by a qualitative interview study with 68 patients worldwide and subsequently a global Delphi survey of 1,154 patients to ensure PRIDD items were meaningful and important to patients.

Objective: To pilot test PRIDD with patients with dermatological conditions, focusing on its content validity (comprehensiveness, comprehensibility, and relevance), acceptability, and feasibility.

Build & Belong: A Peer-Based Intervention to Reduce Medical Student Social Isolation.

Problem: Medical school can be a socially isolating experience, particularly for students underrepresented in medicine. Social isolation and perceptions of not belonging can negatively impact students' academic performance and well-being. Therefore, interventions are needed to support students and these efforts should be appealing, brief, and low-burden.

DPP inhibition alters the CXCR3 axis and enhances NK and CD8+ T cell infiltration to improve anti-PD1 efficacy in murine models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer death in the USA by 2030. Immune checkpoint inhibitors fail to control most PDAC tumors because of PDAC's extensive immunosuppressive microenvironment and poor immune infiltration, a phenotype also seen in other non-inflamed (ie, 'cold') tumors. Identifying novel ways to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in PDAC is critical.

Transfer learning between preclinical models and human tumors identifies a conserved NK cell activation signature in anti-CTLA-4 responsive tumors.

Background: Tumor response to therapy is affected by both the cell types and the cell states present in the tumor microenvironment. This is true for many cancer treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). While it is well-established that ICIs promote T cell activation, their broader impact on other intratumoral immune cells is unclear; this information is needed to identify new mechanisms of action and improve ICI efficacy.

Antitumor T-cell Immunity Contributes to Pancreatic Cancer Immune Resistance.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Pancreatic tumors are minimally infiltrated by T cells and are largely refractory to immunotherapy. Accordingly, the role of T-cell immunity in pancreatic cancer has been somewhat overlooked.

3D Culture Systems for Exploring Cancer Immunology.

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, spurring extensive investigation into cancer immunology and how to exploit this biology for therapeutic benefit. Current methods to investigate cancer-immune cell interactions and develop novel drug therapies rely on either two-dimensional (2D) culture systems or murine models. However, three-dimensional (3D) culture systems provide a potentially superior alternative model to both 2D and murine approaches.

Spatial and temporal trends in physiological biomarkers of adult eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, within an urban estuary.

Heavy metal contamination and water quality may alter reproductive capacity of oysters in highly urbanized, eutrophic ecosystems. This study assessed physiological biomarkers and heavy metal body burdens in adult oysters, Crassostrea virginica, placed at a highly urban and reference site. Condition index and Vitellogenin-like proteins were significantly different between sites, but protein concentration and activity of the electron transport system were not.

The role of fibroblast activation protein in health and malignancy.

Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) is a type-II transmembrane serine protease expressed almost exclusively to pathological conditions including fibrosis, arthritis, and cancer. Across most cancer types, elevated FAP is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Despite the clear association between FAP and disease severity, the biological reasons underlying these clinical observations remain unclear.

16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing of Urban Prokaryotic Communities in the South Bronx River Estuary.

Biodiversity monitoring is an essential component of restoration efforts. We sequenced 16S rRNA gene amplicons from sediments and waters of Hunts Point Riverside Park and Soundview Park, located in a historically degraded but recovering urban estuary in New York. In total, 16,165 unique amplicon sequence variants were recovered, and was the dominant phylum.

Prospects for zero days dry.

Recent studies in high-producing dairy cows have demonstrated the dry period requirement is greatly influenced by parity and management practice. Multiparous cows that were continuously milked and treated with bST demonstrated negligible production losses in the next lactation. First-lactation heifers, however, demonstrated large reductions in milk yield.