Allostatic Load, Educational Attainment, and Risk of Cancer Mortality Among US Men.

Importance: Health disparities among racial and ethnic minoritized populations, particularly for cancer mortality rates, remain a major public health concern. Men from underrepresented backgrounds (Black and Hispanic men, specifically) face the pervasive effects of discrimination in their daily lives, which also contribute to the complex associations among allostatic load (a marker of chronic stress), educational opportunities, and elevated risks of cancer mortality.

Objective: To elucidate the associations among educational attainment, allostatic load, and cancer mortality risk among men.

Development of a core outcome set for recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis: Results of a Delphi poll.

Background/objective: Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) lack effective therapies. There is no consensus or guidance on which endpoints or outcome measures should be used in clinical trials. This study aimed to develop a core outcome set aligned with both patient and provider priorities for RAP and CP.

Pancreatitis pain quality changes at year 1 follow-up, but GP130 remains a biomarker for pain.

Background/objectives: Debilitating abdominal pain is a common symptom affecting patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). CP pain is dynamic due to multiple underlying mechanisms. The objective of this study was to 1) evaluate changes in pain phenotype at one year follow-up and 2) validate putative pain biomarkers in a prospective cohort study.

Multiparametric MRI Scoring System of the Pancreas for the Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis.

Background: Ductal features alone may not offer high diagnostic sensitivity or most accurate disease severity of chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Purpose: Diagnose CP based on multiparametric MRI and MRCP features.

Study Type: Prospective.

Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis Prognosis Score in an American Cohort.

Introduction: Chronic Pancreatitis Prognosis Score (COPPS) was developed to discriminate disease severity and predict risk for future hospitalizations. In this cohort study, we evaluated if COPPS predicts the likelihood of hospitalization(s) in an American cohort.

Methods: The Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes, and Pancreatic Cancer consortium provided data and serum from subjects with chronic pancreatitis (N = 279).

Healthcare disparities in pancreatitis: knowledge gaps and next steps.

Purpose Of Review: This review examines current research on healthcare disparities in pancreatitis, identifies knowledge gaps, and proposes strategies to develop targeted multilevel interventions to address inequities in pancreatitis care.

Recent Findings: Current literature has identified patient, disease, and healthcare-level factors contributing to disparities in risk factors and health outcomes of pancreatitis. Moreover, social structures, economic systems, social vulnerability, and policy significantly influence the pancreatitis care continuum.

Financial Toxicity in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis.

Objectives: Patients with chronic illnesses are susceptible to the financial burden of disease-related treatment costs. Financial toxicity is well researched in cancer and several chronic diseases. This review explores the financial challenges faced by patients with chronic pancreatitis and the impact of financial hardship on their well-being.

Addressing the Transition to Adult Health Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Pancreatic Disorders.

Introduction:  The transition from pediatric to adult health care is a vulnerable time period for adolescents and young adults (AYA). Guidance on how to effectively implement transition support for AYA with recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) is lacking.

Methods:  To address this gap, we formed a consortium of pancreatic centers that would work in coordination to test interventions to improve the transition for AYA with RAP and CP.

Use of pancreatic endotherapy in patients with chronic pancreatitis: results from a multicenter cohort study in the United States.

Background And Aims: Although pancreatic endotherapy (PET) is commonly used for treating adverse events of chronic pancreatitis, data on the frequency and factors associated with the use of PET are limited. Our aim was to define the use of and factors predictive for receiving PET in a well-characterized chronic pancreatitis cohort.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from PROCEED, a multicenter U.

Differences in Plasma Fatty Acid Composition Related to Chronic Pancreatitis: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease affecting the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. Signaling in pancreatic cells that lead to inflammation may be influenced by fatty acids (FAs) through diet and de novo lipogenesis. Here, we investigated the relationship between plasma FA composition in CP with heterogeneity of etiology and complications of CP.

Circulating immune signatures in chronic pancreatitis with and without preceding acute pancreatitis: A pilot study.

Objective: To investigate profiles of circulating immune signatures in healthy controls and chronic pancreatitis patients (CP) with and without a preceding history of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: We performed a phase 1, cross-sectional analysis of prospectively collected serum samples from the PROspective Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis for EpidEmiologic and Translation StuDies (PROCEED) study. All samples were collected during a clinically quiescent phase.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities With Acute Pancreatitis Live in Neighborhoods With Higher Social Vulnerability Scores.

Objectives: The primary objective was to determine differences in Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores among minorities (African-Americans and Hispanics) with acute pancreatitis (AP) compared with non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) with AP. The secondary objectives were to determine differences in diet, sulfidogenic bacteria gene copy numbers (gcn) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels between the 2 groups.

Materials And Methods: Patients with AP were enrolled during hospitalization (n = 54).

Promoting a more diverse and inclusive research workforce through the research scholars program.

Background: Novel and comprehensive approaches are needed to address shortcomings in the diversity and inclusiveness of the scientific workforce. In response to this need and informed by multiple programs and data sources, we created the Research Scholars Program (RSP). The RSP is a yearlong program for early-career faculty with an overall objective to overcome barriers to the academic success, retention, progression, and promotion of groups underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research.

Systemic Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Alterations in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive fibroinflammatory disorder lacking therapies and biomarkers. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a proinflammatory cytokine elevated during inflammation that binds fatty acids (FAs) such as linoleic acid. We hypothesized that systemic NGAL could serve as a biomarker for CP and, with FAs, provide insights into inflammatory and metabolic alterations.

A Randomized Controlled Phase 2 Dose-Finding Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Camostat in the Treatment of Painful Chronic Pancreatitis: The TACTIC Study.

Background & Aims: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) causes an abdominal pain syndrome associated with poor quality of life. We conducted a clinical trial to further investigate the efficacy and safety of camostat, an oral serine protease inhibitor that has been used to alleviate pain in CP.

Methods: This was a double-blind randomized controlled trial that enrolled adults with CP with a baseline average daily worst pain score ≥4 on a numeric rating system.

Circulating immune signatures across clinical stages of chronic pancreatitis: a pilot study.

Objective: This pilot study seeks to identify serum immune signatures across clinical stages of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of prospectively collected serum samples from the PROspective Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis for EpidEmiologic and Translation StuDies-study. CP subjects were categorised into three clinical stages based on the presence/absence of metabolic complications: (1) CP with no diabetes and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction (EPD), (2) CP with either diabetes or EPD, and (3) CP with diabetes and EPD.

Serum Biomarkers of Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis.

Debilitating abdominal pain is a common symptom affecting most patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). There are multiple underlying mechanisms that contribute to CP-related pain, which makes successful treatment difficult. The identification of biomarkers for subtypes of pain could provide viable targets for nonopioid interventions and the development of mechanistic approaches to pain management in CP.

Diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis using semi-quantitative MRI features of the pancreatic parenchyma: results from the multi-institutional MINIMAP study.

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic performance of parenchymal MRI features differentiating CP from controls.

Methods: This prospective study performed abdominal MRI scans at seven institutions, using 1.5 T Siemens and GE scanners, in 50 control and 51 definite CP participants, from February 2019 to May 2021.

Short-Term Soy Bread Intervention Leads to a Dose-Response Increase in Urinary Isoflavone Metabolites and Satiety in Chronic Pancreatitis.

Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) are particularly vulnerable to nutrient malabsorption and undernutrition caused by the underlying pathology of their disease. Dietary intervention trials involving soy isoflavones in patients with CP are limited and isoflavone metabolites have not yet been reported. We hypothesized soy bread containing plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and isoflavones would be well-tolerated and restore gut functional capacity which would lead to isoflavone metabolites profiles like those of healthy populations.

A Comparison of Machine Learning Methods and Conventional Logistic Regression for the Prediction of In-Hospital Mortality in Acute Biliary Pancreatitis.

Objectives: For population databases, multivariable regressions are established analytical standards. The utilization of machine learning (ML) in population databases is novel. We compared conventional statistical methods and ML for predicting mortality in biliary acute pancreatitis (biliary AP).