Publications by authors named "Ann Martinez"

Significant advances in procedural information displayed by current apheresis machines have been made, but analyses of cell collection efficiency (CE) still rely on calculations done by apheresis professionals. Accordingly, understanding CE equations can support the optimization of apheresis techniques and identification of incidents that could impact the procedure's effectiveness. This report summarizes classical and novel CE analyses applied to apheresis exemplified by an actual case of hematopoietic progenitor cell collection.

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The acquisition of telecommunication technologies in clinical practices is transforming medical care capabilities, whereas applying telemedicine in apheresis medicine has resulted in the revolutionary concept of "telapheresis." This manuscript aims to describe the regulatory landscape of telapheresis by presenting the first "tele-ECP" (telemedicine-based approach to extracorporeal photopheresis) reported in the United Arab Emirates. The tele-ECP procedure was done successfully in a patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease, who, despite having one vascular access-related adverse event, it was solved promptly without further complications.

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Article Synopsis
  • Men with low-risk prostate cancer are increasingly choosing active surveillance (AS) instead of immediate treatment, but many later switch to active treatment.
  • A multi-institutional study analyzed genetic data from over 5,000 prostate cancer patients who opted for AS to identify genetic factors that might predict those likely to switch to treatment.
  • The study found 18 genetic variants related to the decision to change treatment and established a link between certain genetic risk scores and the likelihood of converting from AS to active treatment, suggesting that genetics could personalize monitoring and treatment decisions for these patients.
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Purpose: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma with clinically positive regional lymph nodes is an aggressive disease state with a high propensity for metastasis and death. The current literature is limited regarding national practice patterns and outcomes in this patient population.

Materials And Methods: We identified 1,658 patients in the NCDB (National Cancer Database) who had cN+M0 upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

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