Publications by authors named "Berkman A"

(HNVs), a genus within the family, includes the highly virulent Nipah and Hendra viruses that cause yearly reoccurring outbreaks of deadly disease. Recent discoveries of several new species, including the zoonotic Langya virus, have revealed much higher antigenic diversity than currently characterized. Here, to explore the limits of structural and antigenic variation in HNVs, we construct an expanded, antigenically diverse panel of HNV fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoproteins from 56 unique HNV strains that better reflects global HNV diversity.

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Background: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed Americans aged 19-25 years to remain on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26 years (the Dependent Care Expansion [DCE]). Have those with cancer diagnoses benefited?

Methods: The ACE DCE 7-year age range of 19-25 years was compared for changes in cancer survival and mortality before and after enactment of the ACA with groups that were younger and older (in 7-year age spans: ages 12-18 and 26-32 years, respectively). Cancer death data for the entire United States were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and relative survival data of patients who were diagnosed with cancer were obtained from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results regions representing 42%-44% of the country.

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Purpose: Survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer face significant psychological distress and encounter barriers accessing mental health care. However, limited research exists on psychological health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) survivors of AYA cancer, particularly in comparison with heterosexual survivors and LGB individuals without a history of cancer.

Methods: Using the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2018), we identified LGB survivors of AYA cancer, LGB individuals without a history of cancer, and heterosexual survivors of AYA cancer.

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Survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA; age 15-39 years at diagnosis) cancer are a growing population with the potential to live for many decades after treatment completion. Survivors of AYA cancer are at risk for adverse long-term outcomes including chronic conditions, secondary cancers, impaired fertility, poor psychosocial health and health behaviors, and financial toxicity. Furthermore, survivors of AYA cancer from racially minoritized and low socioeconomic status populations experience disparities in these outcomes, including lower long-term survival.

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Background: Survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer experience significant psychological distress and encounter barriers to accessing mental health care. Few studies have investigated racial/ethnic disparities in psychological health outcomes among AYA survivors, and none have compared outcomes within a racially minoritized population.

Methods: National Health Interview Survey data (2010-2018) were analyzed that identified non-Hispanic Black (hereafter, Black) survivors of AYA cancer and age- and sex-matched Black noncancer controls.

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Purpose: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for cardiac dysfunction and impaired physical performance, though underlying cellular mechanisms are not well studied. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the association between peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN, a proxy for mitochondrial function) and markers of performance impairment and cardiac dysfunction.

Methods: Whole-genome sequencing, validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, was used to estimate mtDNA-CN in 1720 adult survivors of childhood cancer (48.

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Anthracyclines are effective chemotherapeutics used in approximately 60% of pediatric cancer cases but have a well-documented risk of cardiotoxicity. Existing cardiotoxicity risk calculators do not include cardiovascular risk factors present at the time of diagnosis. The goal of this study is to leverage the advanced sensitivity of strain echocardiography to identify pre-existing risk factors for early subclinical cardiac dysfunction among anthracycline-exposed pediatric patients.

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Background: Ultrasound (US) guidance is widely used for needle positioning for cervical medial branch blocks (CMBB) and radiofrequency ablation, however, limited research is available comparing different approaches.

Objective: We aimed to assess the accuracy and safety of 3 different US-guided approaches for CMBB.

Study Design: A cadaveric study divided into ultrasound-guided needle placement and fluoroscopy evaluation stages.

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Childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors (age 0-39 years at diagnosis) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Family history of early heart disease increases the risk of CVD in the general population; however, it is unknown whether this association is seen in CAYA cancer survivors. Self-report data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018) were used to identify CAYA survivors (>5 years post-diagnosis).

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Interaction between the Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein (GP) and the endosomal membrane is an essential step during virus entry into the cell. Acidic pH and Ca2+ have been implicated in mediating the GP-membrane interaction. However, the molecular mechanism by which these environmental factors regulate the conformational changes that enable engagement of GP with the target membrane is unknown.

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Background: In the general population, individuals with minoritized sexual orientation and gender identity have a higher burden of chronic health conditions than heterosexual individuals. However, the extent to which sexual orientation is associated with excess burden of chronic conditions in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYACS) is unknown.

Methods: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) AYACSs, LGB individuals without a history of cancer, and heterosexual AYACSs were identified by self-reported data from the cross-sectional National Health Interview Survey (2013-2020).

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Purpose: Survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer experience psychological distress and insufficient access to mental health care. Few studies have investigated racial/ethnic disparities in psychological health outcomes in this population. This study compared psychological distress, mental health care use, and inability to afford mental health care between Hispanic/Latino survivors of AYA cancer and Hispanic/Latino controls.

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Background: It is unknown whether a history of childhood cancer modifies the established disparities in cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) observed in the general population.

Objectives: We sought to determine if disparities in CVRFs by race/ethnicity are similar among childhood cancer survivors compared with the general population.

Methods: The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) is a retrospective cohort with a longitudinal follow-up of 24,084 5-year survivors diagnosed between 1970 and 1999.

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While there are known disparities in socioeconomic status (SES) and health outcomes among racially and ethnically minoritized adolescent and young adult (AYA; ages 15-39 years at diagnosis) cancer survivors compared with White survivors, outcomes in the Asian survivor population are understudied. To better understand the association of an AYA cancer diagnosis with SES and health outcomes within a minoritized population, the current study makes comparisons between individuals of the same race or ethnicity with and without a history of AYA cancer. Non-Hispanic, Asian AYA cancer survivors and non-Hispanic, Asian age- and sex-matched controls were identified from self-reported data in the National Health Interview Survey (2009-2020).

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Background: The US population of adolescent and young adult (age 15-39 years at diagnosis) cancer survivors is growing. Previous studies have identified racial and ethnic disparities in survival and health outcomes in racially minoritized survivors, including Black survivors, compared with White survivors. However, comparisons should be made between those of the same race or ethnicity with and without a history of AYA cancer to fully understand the association of a cancer diagnosis with socioeconomic status (SES) and health outcomes within a minoritized population.

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Background: The National Cancer Institute has catalyzed research in adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology by identifying the need for supportive care intervention studies and psychometrically robust health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures. We evaluated progress toward these goals (1) examining changes in the number of registered psychosocial intervention trials being conducted with AYAs over time; (2) determining what domains of HRQOL were assessed across these intervention trials; and (3) identifying the most frequently used measures of HRQOL.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of psychosocial intervention trials for AYAs registered on ClinicalTrials.

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Purpose: There is a growing population of survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers (age 15-39 years at diagnosis). Studies in AYA cancer survivors have identified racial and ethnic disparities in long-term outcomes. To understand the extent to which a cancer diagnosis exacerbates pre-existent health disparities within a minoritized population, comparisons should be made to those of the same race or ethnicity without a cancer history.

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Interaction between the Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein (GP) and the endosomal membrane is an essential step during virus entry into the cell. Acidic pH and Ca2+ have been implicated in mediating the GP-membrane interaction. However, the molecular mechanism by which these environmental factors regulate the conformational changes that enable engagement of GP with the target membrane is unknown.

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Background: Advancements in treatment and supportive care have led to improved survival for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer; however, a subset of those diagnosed remain at risk for early death (within 2 months of diagnosis). Factors that place AYAs at increased risk of early death have not been well studied.

Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry was used to assess risk of early death in AYAs with hematologic malignancies, central nervous system tumors, and solid tumors.

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Purpose Of Review: There is a growing population of adolescent and young adult (AYA, ages 15-39 years) cancer patients and survivors, and the field of AYA oncology is rapidly evolving. Despite an increased focus on survival and quality of life for AYAs, gaps in knowledge remain. The current review focuses on what is known across several domains unique to AYA cancer care as well as areas of improvement and future directions in research and intervention.

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Background: There is a growing population of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (ages 15-39 years), and they have an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Little is known about the contribution of sociodemographic and modifiable factors to the risk of CVD in AYA survivors and whether these factors differentially modulate their risk compared with that in the general population. The current study sought to fill these gaps.

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Purpose: There is a growing population of adolescent and young adult (AYA, ages 15-39 at diagnosis) cancer survivors at heightened risk of chronic conditions. Moderate to vigorous physical activity level (MVPA) is an important modifiable factor associated with improved cardiovascular health. Little is known about the association of sociodemographic factors with MVPA in AYA survivors.

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Background As utilization of clinical exome sequencing (ES) has expanded, criteria for evaluating the diagnostic weight of incidentally identified variants are critical to guide clinicians and researchers. This is particularly important in genes associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which can cause heart failure and sudden death. We sought to compare the frequency and distribution of incidentally identified variants in DCM-associated genes between a clinical referral cohort with those in control and known case cohorts to determine the likelihood of pathogenicity among those undergoing genetic testing for non-DCM indications.

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Background: Compared with their ensured counterparts, uninsured adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are more likely to present with advanced disease and have poor prognoses. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, provided health care coverage to millions of uninsured young adults by allowing them to remain on their parents' insurance until age 26 years (the Dependent Care Expansion, DCE). The impact of the expansion of insurance coverage on survival outcomes for young adults with cancer has not been assessed.

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