Facilitators and barriers to providing affirming care for transgender patients in primary care practices in Arkansas.

Purpose: This study assessed factors affecting the provision of affirming-care best practices (ACBPs) for transgender individuals by primary care providers (PCPs) in a rural, southern state METHODS: We conducted a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study in 2020, including a statewide survey (phase 1) and interviews (phase 2). Surveyed PCPs (phase 1) included Medical Doctors/Doctors of Osteopathy (MDs/DOs), nurse practitioners, and 1 physician assistant. Interview participants (phase 2) included providers and staff in 6 practices throughout the state.

Acceptability of a Community Health Worker Program to Link High-Risk People in Jail to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

Background: People involved in the criminal justice system (PICJS) are at a disproportionate risk for HIV infection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective for HIV prevention; however, there are barriers to accessing and remaining on PrEP. We explored perspectives on partnering with a community health worker (CHW) to link PICJS to PrEP.

The Couple Relationship Scale: A brief measure to facilitate routine outcome monitoring in couple therapy.

Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) is an important component of evidence-based practice. To implement ROM in their practice, couple therapists need a brief measure that can quickly assess the relevant aspects of a couple's relationship. The Couple Relationship Scale (CRS) is a 10-item measure of relational functioning that assesses emotional intimacy, commitment, trust, safety, cohesion, acceptance, conflict, physical intimacy, overall happiness, and personal well-being.

Interpretation of deep learning in genomics and epigenomics.

Machine learning methods have been widely applied to big data analysis in genomics and epigenomics research. Although accuracy and efficiency are common goals in many modeling tasks, model interpretability is especially important to these studies towards understanding the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. Deep neural networks (DNNs) have recently gained popularity in various types of genomic and epigenomic studies due to their capabilities in utilizing large-scale high-throughput bioinformatics data and achieving high accuracy in predictions and classifications.

A two-stream convolutional neural network for microRNA transcription start site feature integration and identification.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation and phenotype development. Understanding the regulation of miRNA genes is critical to understand gene regulation. One of the challenges to study miRNA gene regulation is the lack of condition-specific annotation of miRNA transcription start sites (TSSs).

Discerning Motivational Interviewing through a spiritual lens-discovering a Christian MI archetype and native MI language.

An overarching conceptual perspective on motivational interviewing (MI) captures how it evokes intrinsic motivation for change by relying on four key elements: establishing vision, exploring discrepancy, and building efficacy, which coalesce to resolve for change. We suggest that the Christian narrative and doctrines of creation, fall, and redemption, motivating repentance resolve, invoke these same motivating processes. In this paper we explore these parallels between MI and Christian doctrine and use empirical literature to suggest how secular and religious counselors can enhance their efforts to evoke intrinsic motivation for change with religious clients by employing their "native language" within this framework of MI process.

Development of a Reliable Surgical Quality Assurance System for 2-stage Esophagectomy in Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: The aim was to develop a reliable surgical quality assurance system for 2-stage esophagectomy. This development was conducted during the pilot phase of the multicenter ROMIO trial, collaborating with international experts.

Summary Of Background Data: There is evidence that the quality of surgical performance in randomized controlled trials influences clinical outcomes, quality of lymphadenectomy and loco-regional recurrence.

Laparoscopically assisted versus open oesophagectomy for patients with oesophageal cancer-the Randomised Oesophagectomy: Minimally Invasive or Open (ROMIO) study: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Introduction: Surgery (oesophagectomy), with neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy, is the main curative treatment for patients with oesophageal cancer. Several surgical approaches can be used to remove an oesophageal tumour. The Ivor Lewis (two-phase procedure) is usually used in the UK.

Protocol for developing quality assurance measures to use in surgical trials: an example from the ROMIO study.

Introduction: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in surgery are frequently criticised because surgeon expertise and standards of surgery are not considered or accounted for during study design. This is particularly true in pragmatic trials (which typically involve multiple centres and surgeons and are based in 'real world' settings), compared with explanatory trials (which are smaller and more tightly controlled).

Objective: This protocol describes a process to develop and test quality assurance (QA) measures for use within a predominantly pragmatic surgical RCT comparing minimally invasive and open techniques for oesophageal cancer (the NIHR ROMIO study).

RNA-Seq Analysis of Spinal Cord Tissues from hPFN1 Transgenic Mouse Model of ALS at Pre-symptomatic and End-Stages of Disease.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to the loss of motor neurons. The molecular mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration are largely unknown and there are currently no effective therapies to treat this disease. In this work, we report whole transcriptome profiling of spinal cords of mutant transgenic hPFN1 mice and their wildtype transgenic hPFN1 controls at a pre-symptomatic stage and at the end-stage of disease.

A comparative study of survival after minimally invasive and open oesophagectomy.

Background: Oesophageal cancer is increasing in incidence worldwide. Minimally invasive techniques have been used to perform oesophagectomy, but concerns regarding these techniques remain. Since its description by Cuschieri in 1992, the use of minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIO) has increased, but still only used in a minority of resections in the UK in 2009.

Feasibility RCT of definitive chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy and surgery for oesophageal squamous cell cancer.

Background: The optimal treatment for localised oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is uncertain. We assessed the feasibility of an RCT comparing neoadjuvant treatment and surgery with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: A feasibility RCT in three centres examined incident patients and reasons for ineligibility using multi-disciplinary team meeting records.

The feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of esophagectomy for esophageal cancer--the ROMIO (Randomized Oesophagectomy: Minimally Invasive or Open) study: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is a need for evidence of the clinical effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of esophageal cancer, but randomized controlled trials in surgery are often difficult to conduct. The ROMIO (Randomized Open or Minimally Invasive Oesophagectomy) study will establish the feasibility of a main trial which will examine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of minimally invasive and open surgical procedures for the treatment of esophageal cancer.

Methods/design: A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), in two centers (University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust) will examine numbers of incident and eligible patients who consent to participate in the ROMIO study.

Assessment and comparison of recovery after open and minimally invasive esophagectomy for cancer: an exploratory study in two centers.

Background: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) may lead to early restoration of health-related quality of life, but few prospective comparative studies have been performed. This exploratory study compared recovery between totally minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), laparoscopically assisted esophagectomy (LAE) and open surgery (OE).

Methods: A prospective study in 2 specialist centers recruited consecutive patients undergoing OE, LAE, or MIE for high-grade dysplasia or cancer.

Demonstration of the IDEAL recommendations for evaluating and reporting surgical innovation in minimally invasive oesophagectomy.

Background: The Idea, Development, Evaluation, Assessment and Long term study (IDEAL) framework makes recommendations for evaluating and reporting surgical innovation and adoption, but remains untested.

Methods: A prospective database was created for the introduction of minimally invasive techniques for oesophagectomy. IDEAL stages of development and evaluation were examined retrospectively in a series of patients undergoing laparoscopically assisted oesophagectomy (LAO), two- or three-phase minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIO) and open oesophagectomy.

Protection by pyridostigmine bromide of marmoset hemi-diaphragm acetylcholinesterase activity after soman exposure.

Pyridostigmine bromide (PB) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003 as a pretreatment in humans against the lethal effects of the irreversible nerve agent soman (GD).

Maximising recruitment into randomised controlled trials: the role of multidisciplinary cancer teams.

Multidisciplinary cancer teams offer many theoretical benefits, although few have been formally examined. This study evaluated the role of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings in recruitment into randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Consecutive MDT patient records were categorised into those with or without a recommendation for a national multicentre RCT.

Health-related quality of life among patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction treated by gastrectomy or oesophagectomy.

Background: Tumours of the gastro-oesophageal junction may be resected by total gastrectomy (TG) or transthoracic oesophagectomy (TTO). This study compared health-related quality of life (HRQL) following these procedures.

Methods: Prospective clinical and HRQL data (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30) were collected from 63 consecutive patients (20 TG and 43 TTO) before and 6 months after surgery for Siewert type I-III gastro-oesophageal tumours.

Quality of life during potentially curative treatment for locally advanced oesophageal cancer.

Background: Combination chemoradiotherapy with or without surgery are internationally applied alternative strategies for potential cure of oesophageal cancer. This study compared health-related quality of life (HRQL) between patients selected for chemoradiation and those who had combination treatment including oesophagectomy.

Methods: Patients with stage II or III oesophageal cancer completed HRQL assessments at baseline, at the worst expected HRQL time point and at expected recovery.

Health-related quality of life among patients cured by surgery for esophageal cancer.

Background: Little is known regarding the long-term, health-related quality of life (HRQL) of survivors of esophagectomy for cancer.

Methods: Consecutive patients completed the validated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer general quality-of life-questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the esophageal-specific module (QLQ-OES18) before surgery and regularly thereafter for at least 3 years. Mean scores with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Satisfaction with care: an independent outcome measure in surgical oncology.

Background: Outcomes for treatment for upper gastrointestinal cancer traditionally include procedure-related morbidity and mortality and long-term survival. Patient-reported outcomes, such as quality of life (QOL) and satisfaction measures, add to standard end points, but associations between these factors are not fully understood. This study examined how patient satisfaction related to surgical morbidity, treatment type, and QOL outcomes after inpatient treatment for upper gastrointestinal cancer.

Association between quality of life scores and short-term outcome after surgery for cancer of the oesophagus or gastric cardia.

Background: Evidence suggests that baseline quality of life (QOL) scores are independently prognostic for survival in patients with cancer, but the role of QOL data in predicting short-term outcome after surgery is uncertain. This study assessed the association between QOL scores and short-term outcomes after surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancer.

Methods: Consecutive patients selected for oesophagectomy or total gastrectomy between November 2000 and May 2003 completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's quality of life questionnaire, QLQ-C30.