Infective Endocarditis After Percutaneous Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defects: Incidence, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Case Report and Literature Review.

Infective endocarditis (IE) on atrial septal defect (ASD) closure devices, while extremely rare, has been reported to be more frequent early after the procedure. We describe a case of late IE after percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO). We also performed a literature review on this subject.

Real-World Patient Characteristics, Utilization Patterns, and Outcomes of US Patients with HR+, HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated with Abemaciclib.

Background: Abemaciclib is the most recent oral cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitor (CDK4 & 6i) to receive US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to treat hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Administrative claims data were used to describe patient characteristics and select clinical and economic outcomes in US patients treated in routine clinical practice. Prior analyses from electronic health records data indicate approximately 25% of patients received either palbociclib or ribociclib for MBC before initiating abemaciclib treatment; this work further explored these findings and associated outcomes.

Development of a Prognostic Factor Index Among Women With HR/HER2 Metastatic Breast Cancer in a Community Oncology Setting.

Background: This study explored the impact of multiple prognostic factors on patient overall survival (OS) and real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) for patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR)/human epidermal growth factor 2 negative (HER2) metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study used electronic health record data of patients in the United States from community oncology practices from January 1, 2008 to April 30, 2017. Eligibility included HR/HER2 MBC diagnosis in 2008 or later and prior systemic therapy for MBC.

Effects of a pharmacist-driven intervention program on hospital readmissions.

Purpose: Results of a study to determine whether routine use of a multifaceted medication-focused intervention at a safety-net hospital was feasible and could reduce hospital readmissions in a Medicare fee-for-service population are reported.

Methods: A quality-improvement cohort study of 1,059 admissions of 667 patients at an inner-city hospital was conducted. Patients in the intervention groups received some or all components of the multifaceted "Medication REACH" intervention, with direct pharmacist involvement from admission through postdischarge aftercare.

Successful rescue of an apocrine gland carcinoma metastatic to the cervical lymph nodes by mitoxantrone coupled with trains of permeabilizing electrical pulses (electrochemotherapy).

Canine apocrine gland carcinoma is a locally aggressive neoplasm that can occasionally lead to metastatic spread, thus mimicking the behavior of their human counterpart. In this paper we describe the successful treatment of a cervical metastatic spread of this neoplasia by using mitoxantrone selectively driven within the tumor cells by trains of biphasic pulses. The dog experienced tumor reduction from the first cycle of electrochemotherapy (ECT) and complete remission by the time of its fourth session.

A new biotin derivative-DOTA conjugate as a candidate for pretargeted diagnosis and therapy of tumors.

The synthesis of a new biotin derivative, the (CO) reduced N-aminohexyl biotinamido derivative, designed to be serum biotinidase resistant, and its conjugation to the chelator DOTA through an amide bond at one of the four carboxymethyl chains are described. The (90)Y-labeled conjugate was able to bind avidin at different Av/conjugate molar ratios with good results. The preclinical results indicate that this new biotin-DOTA conjugate is a good candidate for pretargeted diagnosis and therapy of tumors.