Lipidomic Profiling Reveals Biological Differences between Tumors of Self-Identified African Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites with Cancer.

In the US, the incidence and mortality of many cancers are disproportionately higher in African Americans (AA). Yet, AA remain poorly represented in molecular studies investigating the roles that biological factors might play in the development, progression, and outcomes of many cancers. Given that sphingolipids, key components of mammalian cellular membranes, have well-established roles in the etiology of cancer progression, malignancy, and responses to therapy, we conducted a robust mass spectrometry analysis of sphingolipids in normal adjacent uninvolved tissues and tumors of self-identified AA and non-Hispanic White (NHW) males with cancers of the lung, colon, liver, and head and neck and of self-identified AA and NHW females with endometrial cancer.

Preparation of Human Tissues Embedded in Optimal Cutting Temperature Compound for Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

Sphingolipids are cellular components that have well-established roles in human metabolism and disease. Mass spectrometry can be used to determine whether sphingolipids are altered in a disease and investigate whether sphingolipids can be targeted clinically. However, properly powered prospective studies that acquire tissues directly from the surgical suite can be time consuming, and technically, logistically, and administratively challenging.

A simple method for sphingolipid analysis of tissues embedded in optimal cutting temperature compound.

MS-assisted lipidomic tissue analysis is a valuable tool to assess sphingolipid metabolism dysfunction in disease. These analyses can reveal potential pharmacological targets or direct mechanistic studies to better understand the molecular underpinnings and influence of sphingolipid metabolism alterations on disease etiology. But procuring sufficient human tissues for adequately powered studies can be challenging.

Improving the success rate of gluteal intramuscular injections.

Objectives: This study aimed to improve the success rate of gluteal intramuscular (IM) injection.

Methods: The outcomes of 328 intended gluteal IM injections in 115 patients receiving depot octreotide were evaluated using computed tomography performed in routine clinical practice. Patient-, nursing-, and technique-dependent factors were correlated with successful delivery of medication.