Clinical management of oligometastatic cancer: Applying multidisciplinary tumor board recommendations in practice.

Aims: Multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTs) are an integral part of ensuring high-quality, evidence-based and personalized cancer care. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the adherence to and implementation of MDT recommendations in patients with oligometastatic disease (OMD).

Methods: We screened all oncologic positron emission tomography (PET) scans conducted at a single comprehensive cancer center in 2020.

Correlation between Graphitic Carbon and Elemental Carbon in Diesel Particulate Matter in Workplace Atmospheres.

We investigated the suitability of the graphitic carbon (GC) content of diesel particulate matter (DPM), measured using Raman spectroscopy, as a surrogate measure of elemental carbon (EC) determined by thermal optical analysis. The Raman spectra in the range of 800-1800 cm (including the D mode at ∼1322 cm and the G mode at ∼1595 cm) were used for GC identification and quantification. Comparison of the Raman spectra for two certified DPM standards (NIST SRM 1650 and SRM 2975), two types of diesel engine exhaust soot, and three types of DPM-enriched workplace aerosols show that the uncertainty of GC quantification based on the D peak height, G peak height, and the total peak area below D and G peaks was about 6.

Exposure assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in refined coal tar sealant applications.

Background: Refined coal tar sealant (RCTS) emulsions are used to seal the surface of asphalt pavement. Nine of the 22 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) evaluated in this study are classified as known, probable, or possible human carcinogens. Exposure assessment research for RCTS workers has not been published previously.

Aerosol Analysis Using Handheld Raman Spectrometer: On-site Quantification of Trace Crystalline Silica in Workplace Atmospheres.

A method for aerosol chemical analysis using handheld Raman spectrometer has been developed and its application to measurement of crystalline silica concentration in workplace atmosphere is described. The approach involves collecting aerosol as a spot sample using a wearable optical aerosol monitor, followed by direct-on-filter quantitative analysis of the spot sample for crystalline silica using handheld Raman spectrometer. The filter cassette of a commercially available optical aerosol monitor (designed to collect aerosol for post-shift analysis) was modified to collect 1.

Approaching neural net feature interpretation using stacked autoencoders: gene expression profiling of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a rare, autoimmune disorder known to affect most organ sites. Complicating clinical management is a poorly differentiated, heterogenous SLE disease state. While some small molecule drugs and biologics are available for treatment, additional therapeutic options are needed.

Integrated machine learning pipeline for aberrant biomarker enrichment (i-mAB): characterizing clusters of differentiation within a compendium of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Clusters of differentiation () are cell surface biomarkers that denote key biological differences between cell types and disease state. CD-targeting therapeutic monoclonal antibodies () afford rich trans-disease repositioning opportunities. Within a compendium of systemic lupus erythematous () patients, we applied the Integrated machine learning pipeline for aberrant biomarker enrichment () to profile gene expression features affecting CD20, CD22 and CD30 gene aberrance.

Electronic Health Record Phenotypes for Precision Medicine: Perspectives and Caveats From Treatment of Breast Cancer at a Single Institution.

Precision medicine is at the forefront of biomedical research. Cancer registries provide rich perspectives and electronic health records (EHRs) are commonly utilized to gather additional clinical data elements needed for translational research. However, manual annotation is resource-intense and not readily scalable.

Measurement of area and personal breathing zone concentrations of diesel particulate matter (DPM) during oil and gas extraction operations, including hydraulic fracturing.

Diesel engines serve many purposes in modern oil and gas extraction activities. Diesel particulate matter (DPM) emitted from diesel engines is a complex aerosol that may cause adverse health effects depending on exposure dose and duration. This study reports on personal breathing zone (PBZ) and area measurements for DPM (expressed as elemental carbon) during oil and gas extraction operations including drilling, completions (which includes hydraulic fracturing), and servicing work.

An informatics research agenda to support precision medicine: seven key areas.

The recent announcement of the Precision Medicine Initiative by President Obama has brought precision medicine (PM) to the forefront for healthcare providers, researchers, regulators, innovators, and funders alike. As technologies continue to evolve and datasets grow in magnitude, a strong computational infrastructure will be essential to realize PM's vision of improved healthcare derived from personal data. In addition, informatics research and innovation affords a tremendous opportunity to drive the science underlying PM.

Studying the Confounding Effects of Socio-Ecological Conditions in Retrospective Clinical Research: A Use Case of Social Stress.

Socio-ecological Conditions (SECs) are important to include in clinical research models as they have been known to impact the health of patients. However, current clinical research models account for these factors only in an unsatisfyingly rudimentary way. In this study, we developed an SEC Index that captured the latent and direct effects of social stress, one of the many kinds of SEC, on patients' general health as measured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index.

Leveraging an Electronic Health Record-Linked Biorepository to Generate a Metformin Pharmacogenomics Hypothesis.

Metformin is a first-line antihyperglycemic agent commonly prescribed in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but whose pharmacogenomics are not clearly understood. Further, due to accumulating evidence highlighting the potential for metformin in cancer prevention and treatment efforts it is imperative to understand molecular mechanisms of metformin. In this electronic health record(EHR)-based study we explore the potential association of the flavin-containing monooxygenase(FMO)-5 gene, a biologically plausible biotransformer of metformin, and modifying glycemic response to metformin treatment.

Using EHR-Linked Biobank Data to Study Metformin Pharmacogenomics.

Metformin is a commonly prescribed diabetes medication whose mechanism of action is poorly understood. In this study we utilized EHR-linked biobank data to elucidate the impact of genomic variation on glycemic response to metformin. Our study found significant gene- and SNP-level associations within the beta-2 subunit of the heterotrimeric adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase complex.

Rates and correlates of potentially inappropriate colorectal cancer screening in the Veterans Health Administration.

Background: Inappropriate use of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening procedures can inflate healthcare costs and increase medical risk. Little is known about the prevalence or causes of inappropriate CRC screening.

Objective: Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate CRC screening, and its association with patient and facility characteristics in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) .

Occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica during hydraulic fracturing.

This report describes a previously uncharacterized occupational health hazard: work crew exposures to respirable crystalline silica during hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing involves high pressure injection of large volumes of water and sand, and smaller quantities of well treatment chemicals, into a gas or oil well to fracture shale or other rock formations, allowing more efficient recovery of hydrocarbons from a petroleum-bearing reservoir. Crystalline silica ("frac sand") is commonly used as a proppant to hold open cracks and fissures created by hydraulic pressure.

Association between adverse reactions to allopurinol and exposures to high maintenance doses: implications for management of patients using allopurinol.

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and exposure to allopurinol maintenance doses higher than those in the 1984 suggested limits of Hande et al. adjusted for level of renal function.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of electronic health records of patients prescribed allopurinol from January 1, 2004, to June 30, 2011, to identify those who had a definite or possible ADR to allopurinol.

DNA-nanostructure-assembly by sequential spotting.

Background: The ability to create nanostructures with biomolecules is one of the key elements in nanobiotechnology. One of the problems is the expensive and mostly custom made equipment which is needed for their development. We intended to reduce material costs and aimed at miniaturization of the necessary tools that are essential for nanofabrication.

Online Multiperson Tracking-by-Detection from a Single, Uncalibrated Camera.

In this paper, we address the problem of automatically detecting and tracking a variable number of persons in complex scenes using a monocular, potentially moving, uncalibrated camera. We propose a novel approach for multiperson tracking-by-detection in a particle filtering framework. In addition to final high-confidence detections, our algorithm uses the continuous confidence of pedestrian detectors and online-trained, instance-specific classifiers as a graded observation model.

Immobilization of different biomolecules by atomic force microscopy.

Background: Micrometer resolution placement and immobilization of probe molecules is an important step in the preparation of biochips and a wide range of lab-on-chip systems. Most known methods for such a deposition of several different substances are costly and only suitable for a limited number of probes. In this article we present a flexible procedure for simultaneous spatially controlled immobilization of functional biomolecules by molecular ink lithography.

Cutting off the nose to save the penis.

Introduction: The average bicycle police officer spends 24 hours a week on his bicycle and previous studies have shown riding a bicycle with a traditional (nosed) saddle has been associated with urogenital paresthesia and sexual dysfunction.

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the no-nose bicycle saddle as an ergonomic intervention and their acceptance among male bicycle police officers.

Methods: Bicycle police officers from five U.

Utility of age, gender, ANA titer and pattern as predictors of anti-ENA and -dsDNA antibodies.

Monovariate and multivariate analyses including logistic regression were performed to determine associations among predicting variables [age, gender, immunofluorescence pattern, and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titer] and anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) and -dsDNA antibodies (Abs) in 1089 patients with positive fluorescent ANA (FANA) test results. Samples with high titer ANAs had an increased frequency of anti-ENA and -dsDNA Abs. The receiver operating (ROC) curves of the ANA titer for anti-ENA Abs had a larger under the curve area compared to the ROC curve for anti-dsDNA Abs, indicating that ANA titer is better for predicting anti-ENA Abs than anti-dsDNA Abs.

Effect of bicycle saddle designs on the pressure to the perineum of the bicyclist.

Purpose: Increasing awareness of an association between bicycling and male sexual dysfunction has led to the appearance of a variety of bicycle saddles that share the design objective of reducing pressure in the groin of the cyclist by removal of the narrow protruding nose of the saddle. This study compared three of these saddle designs to a traditional sport/road racing saddle with a narrow protruding nose in terms of pressure in the region of the perineum (groin) of the cyclist.

Methods: Saddle, pedal, and handlebar contact pressure were measured from 33 bicycle police patrol officers pedaling a stationary bicycle at a controlled cadence and workload.