Implementation and Evaluation of an IPAC SWAT Team Mobilized to Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pragmatic Health System Innovation.

Long-term care facilities (LTCFs), retirement homes (RHs), and other congregate care settings in Canada and worldwide have experienced significant COVID-19 outbreaks. As a health system response, our acute care hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, developed and mobilized an onsite Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) SWAT team (IPAC-SWAT) to regional settings on outbreak and implemented a strategy of support through education, training, and engagement. Between April 28, 2020, and June 30, 2020, IPAC-SWAT assessed 7 LTCFs and 10 RHs for IPAC preparedness and actively managed 10 of 13 COVID-19 outbreaks (LTCF n=5; RH n=5).

Impact of Reported Beta-Lactam Allergy on Inpatient Outcomes: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Reported allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics is common and often leads to unnecessary avoidance in patients who could tolerate these antibiotics. We prospectively evaluated the impact of these reported allergies on clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a trainee-led prospective cohort study to determine the burden and clinical impact of reported beta-lactam allergy on patients seen by infectious diseases consultation services at 3 academic hospitals.

Cancer patients' acceptability of incorporating an epidemiology questionnaire within a clinical trial.

Background/aims: Understanding the influence or impact of epidemiological factors on cancer outcomes in clinical trials can broaden our knowledge of disease, trial populations and therapeutic effects thus leading to improved patient care. However, there is a lack of data on cancer patients' compliance with an epidemiology questionnaire in the context of a clinical trial.

Patients And Methods: Cancer patients were provided with a hypothetical scenario and surveyed regarding their willingness and preferences to complete an epidemiology questionnaire if incorporated into a cancer therapy trial.

Second-hand smoke as a predictor of smoking cessation among lung cancer survivors.

Purpose: Second-hand smoke (SHS; ie, exposure to smoking of friends and spouses in the household) reduces the likelihood of smoking cessation in noncancer populations. We assessed whether SHS is associated with cessation rates in lung cancer survivors.

Patients And Methods: Patients with lung cancer were recruited from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.

The changing incidence of human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer using multiple imputation from 2000 to 2010 at a Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk and prognostic factor for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Determining whether the incidence of HPV-associated OPC is rising informs health policy.

Methods: HPV status was ascribed using p16 immunohistochemistry in 683/1474 OPC patients identified from the Princess Margaret Hospital's Cancer Registry (from 2000 to 2010).

Comorbidity and prognosis in head and neck cancers: Differences by subsite, stage, and human papillomavirus status.

Background: The prognostic utility of comorbidity on head and neck cancer may differ by subsite, stage, and human papillomavirus (HPV) status.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 4953 patients with head and neck cancer for comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]), smoking, and alcohol history. Multivariate proportional hazards assessed the association of CCI with survival.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 is a regulator of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbE2E1.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) is a deubiquitinating enzyme found in all eukaryotes that catalyzes the removal of ubiquitin from specific target proteins. Here, we report that UbE2E1, an E2 ubiquitin conjugation enzyme with a unique N-terminal extension, is a novel USP7-interacting protein. USP7 forms a complex with UbE2E1 in vitro and in vivo through the ASTS USP7 binding motif within its N-terminal extension in an identical manner with other known USP7 binding proteins.

Validation of a one-page patient-reported Charlson comorbidity index questionnaire for upper aerodigestive tract cancer patients.

Objectives: Cancer patients have a wide range of comorbidities that are important confounders for biomarker and clinical studies of prognosis and outcome. Comorbidities can be captured using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) through abstraction of medical records, but patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires have also been used. The objective was to validate the PRO-CCI in a head and neck cancer (HNC) population, and to assess its level of agreement with the standard (std-CCI) method of chart review.

Further insight into substrate recognition by USP7: structural and biochemical analysis of the HdmX and Hdm2 interactions with USP7.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) catalyzes the deubiquitination of several substrate proteins including p53 and Hdm2. We have previously shown that USP7, and more specifically its amino-terminal domain (USP7-NTD), interacts with distinct regions on p53 and Hdm2 containing P/AxxS motifs. The ability of USP7 to also deubiquitinate and control the turnover of HdmX was recently demonstrated.