Evaluating elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI; Trikafta™) for treatment of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE): A clinical study protocol.

Background: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE) is a disease that exhibits dilatation of airways, airflow obstruction, persistent cough, excessive sputum production, and refractory respiratory infections. NCFBE exhibits clinical and pathological manifestations similar to key features of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. In CF, pathogenesis results from dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and diagnosis is made by demonstrating elevated sweat chloride concentrations (typically ≥60 mEq/L), two CFTR mutations known to be causal, multi-organ tissue injury, or combination(s) of these findings.

Effect of a bundle intervention on adherence to quality-of-care indicators and on clinical outcomes in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia hospitalized in non-referral community hospitals.

Background: Although a significant number of cases of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) are managed at non-referral community hospitals, the impact of a bundle-of-care intervention in this setting has not yet been explored.

Methods: We performed a quasi-experimental before-after study with the implementation of a bundle of care for the management of SAB at five non-referral community hospitals and a tertiary care university hospital. Structured recommendations for the five indicators selected to assess quality of care were provided to investigators before the implementation of the bundle and monthly thereafter.

The role of the gut microbiome in cancer-related fatigue: pilot study on epigenetic mechanisms.

Purpose: Recent evidence supports a key role of gut microbiome in brain health. We conducted a pilot study to assess associations of gut microbiome with cancer-related fatigue and explore the associations with DNA methylation changes.

Methods: Self-reported Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and stool samples were collected at pre-radiotherapy and one-month post-radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

Gut Microbiome Associated with the Psychoneurological Symptom Cluster in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers.

Cancer patients experience a cluster of co-occurring psychoneurological symptoms (PNS) related to cancer treatments. The gut microbiome may affect severity of the PNS via neural, immune, and endocrine signaling pathways. However, the link between the gut microbiome and PNS has not been well investigated in cancer patients, including those with head and neck cancers (HNCs).

Association Among Glucocorticoid Receptor Sensitivity, Fatigue, and Inflammation in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Objective: Fatigued cancer patients often have high peripheral inflammation; however, the biological mechanisms of this association remain unclear. We examined whether decreased sensitivity of immune cells to the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids may contribute to inflammation and fatigue in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients during treatment.

Methods: HNC patients without distant metastasis and with curative intent (n = 77) were studied 1 week before intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and 1 month after IMRT.

Pilot study of combined aerobic and resistance exercise on fatigue for patients with head and neck cancer: Inflammatory and epigenetic changes.

This pilot study examined whether a combined aerobic resistance exercise program reduced fatigue and the potential inflammatory and epigenetic mechanisms in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The exercise group (N = 12) received a 3-month supervised aerobic resistance exercise intervention that was initiated before a 6-week radiotherapy regimen; the control group (N = 14) received standard care. Fatigue was measured using Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20; physical function measures included a 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), chair stands, bicep curls, and hand grip strength.

Smoking in Correctional Settings Worldwide: Prevalence, Bans, and Interventions.

Smoking tobacco contributes to 11.5% of deaths worldwide and, in some countries, more hospitalizations than alcohol and drugs combined. Globally in 2015, 25% of men and 5% of women smoked.

Prevalence and risk factors for quinolone resistance among Escherichia coli strains isolated from males with community febrile urinary tract infection.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical risk factors for quinolone resistance (QR) in E. coli strains from males with febrile urinary tract infection (FUTI). An ambispective cross-sectional study was performed in which we evaluated 153 males with a community FUTI caused by E.