Characterizing Pediatric Non-Malarial Fever and Identifying the At-Risk Child in Rural Malawi.

. To characterize children with non-malarial fever at risk of nonrecovery or worsening in rural Malawi. .

Is a Pathological Complete Response Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Associated With Prolonged Survival in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer?

Objectives: To describe the survival outcome of patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (BR/LA-PDAC) who have a pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

Background: Patients with BR/LA-PDAC are often treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation in an attempt to downstage the tumor. Uncommonly, a pCR may result.

BRCA1/BRCA2 Germline Mutation Carriers and Sporadic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: The outcomes of sporadic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients with germline mutations of BRCA1/BRCA2 remains unclear. The prognostic significance of BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations on survival is not well established.

Study Design: We performed targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify BRCA1/BRCA2 germline mutations in resected sporadic PDAC cases from 2000 to 2015.

Effect of nursing-calf implant timing on growth performance and carcass characteristics.

The objective of this study was to compare pre- and postweaning growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality attributes of calves that did not receive an implant or were implanted early or late in the nursing period. Crossbred steer calves ( = 135) were stratified by birth date and birth weight and randomly assigned to the following implant treatments: control (CON; no preweaning implant), 58 d (EARLY; 36 mg zeranol, administered at an average of 58 ± 13 d of age), and 121 d (LATE; 36 mg zeranol, administered at an average 121 ± 13 d of age). After weaning, steers were blocked by initial feed yard BW to 15 pens (5 pens/treatment and 9 steers/pen).

Predictors of blood volatile organic compound levels in Gulf coast residents.

To address concerns among Gulf Coast residents about ongoing exposures to volatile organic compounds, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, and m-xylene/p-xylene (BTEX), we characterized current blood levels and identified predictors of BTEX among Gulf state residents. We collected questionnaire data on recent exposures and measured blood BTEX levels in a convenience sample of 718 Gulf residents. Because BTEX is rapidly cleared from the body, blood levels represent recent exposures in the past 24 h.

Comparison of postoperative ultrasound criteria to predict unassisted use of arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) frequently fail to mature. Postoperative ultrasounds provide objective measurements to predict unassisted AVF use for hemodialysis (unassisted use) and guide interventions to salvage nonmaturing AVFs. The optimal ultrasound criteria to assess AVF maturation are uncertain.

Risk of early-onset prostate cancer associated with occupation in the Nordic countries.

Background: Early-onset prostate cancer is often more aggressive and may have a different aetiology than later-onset prostate cancer, but has been relatively little studied to date. We evaluated occupation in relation to early- and later-onset prostate cancer in a large pooled study.

Methods: We used occupational information from census data in five Nordic countries from 1960 to 1990.

The Cedar Project: mortality among young Indigenous people who use drugs in British Columbia.

Background: Young Indigenous people, particularly those involved in the child welfare system, those entrenched in substance use and those living with HIV or hepatitis C, are dying prematurely. We report mortality rates among young Indigenous people who use drugs in British Columbia and explore predictors of mortality over time.

Methods: We analyzed data collected every 6 months between 2003 and 2014 by the Cedar Project, a prospective cohort study involving young Indigenous people who use illicit drugs in Vancouver and Prince George, BC.

Long-term survival after resection of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas: an updated experience.

Background: Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas (SCP) is a rare histologic subtype of undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma. Historically, this has been associated with a worse overall prognosis than adenocarcinoma. However, the clinical course and surgical outcomes of SCP remain poorly characterized owing to its rarity.

Development of a total hydrocarbon ordinal job-exposure matrix for workers responding to the Deepwater Horizon disaster: The GuLF STUDY.

The GuLF STUDY is a cohort study investigating the health of workers who responded to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The objective of this effort was to develop an ordinal job-exposure matrix (JEM) of airborne total hydrocarbons (THC), dispersants, and particulates to estimate study participants' exposures. Information was collected on participants' spill-related tasks.

Metagenomic characterization of the effect of feed additives on the gut microbiome and antibiotic resistome of feedlot cattle.

In North America, antibiotic feed additives such as monensin and tylosin are added to the finishing diets of feedlot cattle to counter the ill-effects of feeding diets with rapidly digestible carbohydrates. While these feed additives have been proven to improve feed efficiency and reduce liver abscess incidence, how these products impact the gastrointestinal microbiota is not completely understood. In this study, we analyzed the impact of providing antibiotic feed additives to feedlot cattle using metagenome sequencing of treated and control animals.

Insecticide Use and Breast Cancer Risk among Farmers' Wives in the Agricultural Health Study.

Background: Some epidemiologic and laboratory studies suggest that insecticides are related to increased breast cancer risk, but the evidence is inconsistent. Women engaged in agricultural work or who reside in agricultural areas may experience appreciable exposures to a wide range of insecticides.

Objective: We examined associations between insecticide use and breast cancer incidence among wives of pesticide applicators (farmers) in the prospective Agricultural Health Study.

Pesticide Use and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Agricultural Health Study.

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in developed countries. Few studies have investigated its relationship to environmental neurotoxicants. In previous cross-sectional studies, we found an association between pesticide use and self-reported retinal degeneration.

Postoperative urinary retention after inguinal hernia repair: a single institution experience.

Purpose: Inguinal hernia repair is a common general surgery procedure with low morbidity. However, postoperative urinary retention (PUR) occurs in up to 22% of patients, resulting in further extraneous treatments.This single institution series investigates whether patient comorbidities, surgical approaches, and anesthesia methods are associated with developing PUR after inguinal hernia repairs.

Evidence for complex life cycle constraints on salamander body form diversification.

Metazoans display a tremendous diversity of developmental patterns, including complex life cycles composed of morphologically disparate stages. In this regard, the evolution of life cycle complexity promotes phenotypic diversity. However, correlations between life cycle stages can constrain the evolution of some structures and functions.

Patient- and Caregiver-Reported Assessment Tools for Palliative Care: Summary of the 2017 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Technical Brief.

Context: Assessment tools are data collection instruments that are completed by or with patients or caregivers and which collect data at the individual patient or caregiver level.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to 1) summarize palliative care assessment tools completed by or with patients or caregivers and 2) identify needs for future tool development and evaluation.

Methods: We completed 1) a systematic review of systematic reviews; 2) a supplemental search of previous reviews and Web sites, and/or 3) a targeted search for primary articles when no tools existed in a domain.

Revascularization strategies and in-hospital management in acute coronary syndromes complicated by hemophilia A or hemophilia B.

: Among adult patients with hemophilia A and hemophilia B the emergent management of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) is challenging, and exposure to antithrombotic agents and/or revascularization procedures may confer an enhanced risk of bleeding. We sought to identify clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes among ACS patients with hemophilia A/hemophilia B, compared with matched noncoagulopathic ACS controls. Case discharges from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (1998-2011) had International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes for hemophilia A/hemophilia B and ACS.

The impact of BMI on non-malignant respiratory symptoms and lung function in arsenic exposed adults of Northern Chile.

Background: Elevated body mass index (BMI) and arsenic are both associated with cancer and with non-malignant lung disease. Using a unique exposure situation in Northern Chile with data on lifetime arsenic exposure, we previously identified the first evidence of an interaction between arsenic and BMI for the development of lung cancer.

Objectives: We examined whether there was an interaction between arsenic and BMI for the development of non-malignant lung disease.

Rational combinations of immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The complex interaction between the immune system, the tumor and the microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) leads to the resistance of PDA to immunotherapy. To overcome this resistance, combination immunotherapy is being proposed. However, rational combinations that target multiple aspects of the complex anti-tumor immune response are warranted.

Long-term survival benefit of upfront chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation for borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (BL-PDAC) is increasing. However, the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy on the outcome of BL-PDAC remains to be elucidated. We performed a retrospective analysis of 93 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with BL-PDAC and primarily followed at Johns Hopkins Hospital between February 2007 and December 2012.

Crystal structure of 2-azido-1,3-bis-(2,6-diiso-propyl-phen-yl)-1,3,2-di-aza-phospho-lidine.

The title compound, CHNP, was synthesized by reacting 2-chloro-1,3-bis-(2,6-diiso-propyl-phen-yl)-1,3,2-di-aza-phospho-lidine with sodium azide and a catalytic amount of lithium chloride in tetra-hydro-furan. The title compound is the first structurally characterized 2-azido-1,3,2-di-aza-phospho-lidine and exhibits a P atom in a trigonal pyramidal geometry. The azide P-N bond length of 1.

Outcomes of Partnered Individuals Undergoing Bariatric Surgery Together: A Single Institution Case Series.

There exists marked variation in weight loss among the 200,000 annual bariatric patients, and many of these patients struggle with weight regain. Several studies have suggested that positive social support may significantly impact bariatric surgery outcomes, leading to more excess weight loss and maintenance of this weight loss through appropriate lifestyle changes. We sought to understand this by assessing clinical and behavioral outcomes among married couples whereby both spouses underwent bariatric surgery at our institution.

Emergency department utilization and predictors of mortality for inpatient inguinal hernia repairs.

Background: Although inguinal hernias are common surgical diagnoses, minimally symptomatic patients are often not scheduled for repairs and are asked to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms. We investigated factors associated with emergency department (ED) utilization for inguinal hernia repairs and determined whether ED utilization affected mortality for this otherwise electively treated condition.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the 2009-2013 Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify patients who presented through the ED and were then admitted for unilateral inguinal hernia repairs.