Randomized Phase II Study Evaluating Palbociclib in Addition to Letrozole as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Early Breast Cancer: PALLET Trial.

Purpose: CDK4/6 inhibitors are used to treat estrogen receptor (ER)-positive metastatic breast cancer (BC) in combination with endocrine therapy. PALLET is a phase II randomized trial that evaluated the effects of combination palbociclib plus letrozole as neoadjuvant therapy.

Patients And Methods: Postmenopausal women with ER-positive primary BC and tumors greater than or equal to 2.

The influence of caregivers and behavioral and psychological symptoms on nursing home placement of persons with Alzheimer's disease: A matched case-control study.

Objectives: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and caregiver characteristics may influence the decision to provide care at home or in a nursing home, though few studies examine this association near the actual time of nursing home placement. Using a matched case-control design, this study investigates the association between (1) total Neuropsychiatric Inventory score, (2) the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-4 (an agitation/aggression subscale), and (3) individual domains of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and nursing home placement.

Methods: Data from the South Carolina Alzheimer's disease Registry provides an opportunity to expand the literature by looking at cases at the time of nursing home care eligibility/placement and allowing for propensity-score-matched controls.

Impact of a medication management system on nursing home admission rate in a community-dwelling nursing home-eligible Medicaid population.

Background: Community-dwelling frail elderly have an increased need for effective medication management to reside in their homes and delay or avoid admission to nursing homes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of a medication management system on nursing home admission within the community-dwelling frail elderly.

Methods: This prospective cohort study compared nursing home admission rates in intervention and control clients of a state Medicaid home and community-based waiver program.

Prevention of elder mistreatment in nursing homes: competencies for direct-care staff.

Existing training on elder mistreatment in nursing homes focuses on detection and reporting of abuse, with little training specifically targeted toward prevention of mistreatment before it occurs. We used qualitative interviews with nursing home staff, policy makers, and related professionals to identify training needs. Based on participant accounts, we drafted a number of competencies essential for caregiver training to prevent mistreatment in nursing homes.

Resilience and challenges among staff of gulf coast nursing homes sheltering frail evacuees following Hurricane Katrina, 2005: implications for planning and training.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to: (1) explore experiences and responses of staff in caring for sheltered, frail, Hurricane Katrina evacuees; and (2) identify how planning and training can be enhanced for staff who may care for frail older populations during and after disasters.

Methods: Individual, in-person, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 staff members in four nursing homes in Mississippi, sheltering 109 evacuees in November 2005, nine weeks after Hurricane Katrina. Twenty-four were direct care staff, including certified nursing assistants, licensed nurses, dietary aides, and social workers; 14 were support staff, including maintenance and business managers.