Development and pilot testing of INTERVENER, a web-based tool to match barriers to the cancer continuum organization to evidence-based interventions.

Background: Barriers to the cancer continuum organization and interventions to approach them have been identified; however, there is a lack of a tool matching them. Our aim was to develop a web-based tool to identify the main barriers to the process of the cancer continuum organization, and propose matched evidence-based interventions (EBI) to overcome them.

Methods: A questionnaire on barriers at six steps of the process of the cancer continuum organization was answered by collaborators.

Utility of colposcopy for the screening and management of cervical cancer in Africa: a cross-sectional analysis of providers' training and practices.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a public health issue in Africa with devastating socioeconomic consequences due to the lack of organized screening programs. The success of screening programs depends on the appropriate investigation and management of women who test positive for screening. Colposcopic assessment following positive screening results is a noteworthy issue in Africa.

Insights into periplasmic nitrate reductase function under single turnover.

Nitrate reductases play pivotal roles in nitrogen metabolism by leveraging the molybdopterin cofactor to facilitate the reduction of nitrate to nitrite. Periplasmic nitrate reductases (NapA) utilize nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor when oxygen is limiting, helping to drive anaerobic metabolism in bacteria. Despite extensive research into NapA homologs, open questions about the mechanism remain especially at the molecular level.

Leveraging single-dose human papillomavirus vaccination dose-efficiency to attain cervical cancer elimination in resource-constrained settings.

Background: In low- and middle-income countries, resource constraints remain a critical factor limiting access to cervical cancer preventive measures. The option of single-dose immunization could help improve access to human papillomavirus vaccination and attain cervical cancer elimination.

Methods: With simulation models adapted to country-specific data and scenarios for single-dose protection derived from International Agency for Research on Cancer India vaccine trial data, we estimated the expected impact of single-dose vaccination in India, Rwanda, and Brazil, three countries with varying profiles of cervical cancer risk and vaccination timelines.

A prospective cohort study comparing efficacy of 1 dose of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine to 2 and 3 doses at an average follow up of 12 years postvaccination.

Background: While recommending a human papillomavirus (HPV) single-dose vaccination schedule in 2022, the World Health Organization highlighted the need for long-term follow-up studies to monitor waning of protection. We report on vaccine efficacy against HPV infections in 1-, 2-, and 3-dose schedules and protection against cervical precancers at a median follow-up of 12 years postvaccination.

Methods: This randomized multicenter study in India was originally designed to vaccinate unmarried girls aged 10-18 years with either 2 or 3 doses of quadrivalent HPV vaccine.

Non-motor symptoms in patients with Spinocerebellar ataxia type 12.

Introduction: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCA12) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by abnormal CAG repeat expansion in the gene. This disease is classically characterized by action tremor, dysarthria, ataxia, and hyperreflexia. There are limited reports regarding the non-motor symptoms in patients with SCA 12.

Neuropeptide Y Y2 receptors in acute and chronic pain and itch.

Pain and itch are regulated by a diverse array of neuropeptides and their receptors in superficial laminae of the spinal cord dorsal horn (DH). Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is normally expressed on DH neurons but not sensory neurons. By contrast, the Npy2r receptor (Y2) is expressed on the central and peripheral terminals of sensory neurons but not on DH neurons.

Movement disorders in Megalencephalic Leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts - A case series.

Background: Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC) has been described in the literature mostly as early-onset leukodystrophy with cerebellar ataxia being the main clinical phenotype. However, other associated movement disorders have also been reported discretely.

Cases: Here, we present seven cases of MLC.

Artificial intelligence strengthenes cervical cancer screening - present and future.

Cervical cancer is a severe threat to women's health. The majority of cervical cancer cases occur in developing countries. The WHO has proposed screening 70% of women with high-performance tests between 35 and 45 years of age by 2030 to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer.

Integration of Functional Polymers and Biosensors to Enhance Wound Healing.

Biosensors have led to breakthroughs in the treatment of chronic wounds. Since the discovery of the oxygen electrode by Clarke, biosensors have evolved into the design of smart bandages that dispense drugs to treat wounds in response to physiological factors, such as pH or glucose concentration, which indicate pathogenic tendencies. Aptamer-based biosensors have helped identify and characterize pathogenic bacteria in wounds that often form antibiotic-resistant biofilms.

Criteria for second generation comparator tests in validation of novel HPV DNA tests for use in cervical cancer screening.

While HC2 and GP5+/6+ PCR-EIA were pivotal in test validation of new HPV assays, they represent the first generation of comparator tests based upon technologies that are not in widespread use anymore. In the current guideline, criteria for second-generation comparator tests are presented that include more detailed resolution of HPV genotypes. Second-generation comparator tests should preferentially target only the 12 genotypes classified as carcinogenic (IARC-group I), and show consistent non-inferior sensitivity for CIN2+ and CIN3+ and specificity for ≤CIN1 compared to one of the first-generations comparators, in at least three validation studies using benchmarks of 0.

Prostate Cancer Early Detection in the European Union and UK.

Background And Objective: While prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality rates continue to rise, early detection of PCa remains highly controversial, and the research landscape is rapidly evolving. Existing systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) provide valuable insights, but often focus on single aspects of early detection, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the topic. We aim to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive SR of contemporary SRs covering different aspects of early detection of PCa in the European Union (EU) and the UK.

Canadian colorectal cancer screening programs: How do they measure up using the International Agency for Research on Cancer criteria for organized screening?

Background: Canada has one of the highest incidences of colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide. CRC screening improves CRC outcomes and is cost-effective. This study compares Canadian CRC screening programs using essential elements of an organized screening program outlined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Development and pilot implementation of a novel protocol to assess capacity and readiness of health systems to adopt HPV detection-based cervical cancer screening in Europe.

Background: Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in Europe. Effective introduction and scaling up of human papillomavirus (HPV) detection-based cervical cancer screening (CCS) requires a systematic assessment of health systems capacity. However, there is no validated capacity assessment methodology for CCS programmes, especially in European contexts.

The Role of Civil Society in the Implementation of the Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) Framework: Takeaways from Southeast Asia.

Background: In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) with the aim of strategically guiding and coordinating efforts to reduce breast cancer mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). At the country level, GBCI requires adaptation to local contexts based on a systematic assessment of barriers faced by breast cancer patients and the health system's capacity. This requires engaging stakeholders with civil society organizations being key.

Understanding the Barriers to Prostate Cancer Population-Based Early Detection Programs: The PRAISE-U BEST Survey.

Unlabelled: In 2022, the European Commission updated its recommendation on cancer screening, inviting the Member States (MSs) to explore the feasibility of stepwise implementation of population-based screening for prostate cancer (PCa). In line with this recommendation, the PRAISE-U (Prostate Cancer Awareness and Initiative for Screening in the European Union (EU)) project was initiated. As part of the PRAISE-U, we aim to understand the current practice towards early detection in the EU MSs, the barriers to implementing or planning population-based screening programmes, and potential solutions to overcome these barriers.

Improving access to cancer care among rural populations in India: Development of a validated tool for health system capacity assessment.

Background: Cancer burden in India is rapidly growing, with oral, breast, and uterine cervix being the three most commonly affected sites. It has a catastrophic epidemiological and financial impact on rural communities, the vast majority of whom are socio-economically disadvantaged. Strengthening the health system is necessary to address challenges in the access and provision of cancer services, thus improving outcomes among vulnerable populations.