Plasma arginine as a predictive biomarker for outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibition in metastatic colorectal cancer: a correlative analysis of the CCTG CO.26 trial.

Background: Nutritional stress is a mechanism that allows tumor cells to evade the immune system. Arginine (ARG), an amino acid involved in immunomodulation, aids in regulating T-lymphocyte cell activity and the antitumor response. ARG deficiency in the tumor microenvironment can impair T-cell response while ARG supplementation may promote antitumor immune activity.

Vaccine spillover effects in Africa: A cross-national study of vaccine spillover and confidence in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy and a distrust of the COVID-19 vaccine is widespread in many African nations, stemming from historic medical abuses and low confidence in governments. While studies have examined drivers of vaccine hesitancy in Africa, little is known about vaccine spillover effects: how prior experiences with vaccines influence individuals' confidence in vaccines and future vaccination behaviors.

Methods: In a large online survey conducted across three African countries (Kenya, N = 1545; Nigeria, N = 1557; South Africa, N = 1588), we examined five measures of vaccine spillover: how experiences with the COVID-19 vaccination process influenced respondents' confidence in the safety, efficacy, and importance of all vaccines approved for use in their country, and the likelihood of vaccinating themselves or their children in the future.

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant and post-partum women: A mixed-method study.

Background: This study aims to understand factors contributing to pediatric COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant and postpartum adults.

Method: The study used targeted intercept advertising on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to recruit a panel of 3600 pregnant and postpartum US adults. Data were collected between December 2021 and April 2022 (i.

Real-world effectiveness of fidaxomicin in patients at high risk of recurrence.

Objective: Compare the real-world impact of fidaxomicin (FDX) and vancomycin (VAN) on infection (CDI) recurrence in a high-risk patient population.

Design: A retrospective, matched-cohort study evaluating hospitalized patients with CDI from January 1, 2016, to November 1, 2022, within a tertiary academic medical center.

Patients: Adult patients with at least 1 prior CDI case who received either FDX or VAN for non-fulminant CDI while admitted, and had at least 1 additional risk factor for recurrence.