Meta-Analysis of 5-Fraction Preoperative Radiotherapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Objectives: Studies investigating preoperative 5-fraction radiation therapy (RT) for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are limited. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of this treatment paradigm.

Methods: This study-level meta-analysis was conducted using Bayesian methods.

Cancer Diagnoses and Use of Radiation Therapy Among Persons Experiencing Homelessness.

Purpose: Persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) have low rates of cancer screening and worse cancer mortality compared with persons not experiencing homelessness. Data regarding cancer diagnosis and treatment in PEH are limited. We investigated cancer prevalence and use of radiation therapy (RT) in PEH.

Five Fraction External Beam Partial Breast Irradiation: A User's Guide.

Objective: Mature follow up from multiple randomized trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of external beam partial breast irradiation (PBI) for appropriately selected patients with early stage breast cancer. Despite this evidence, external beam PBI remains underutilized. In this user guide we outline patient selection, workflow, and address possible challenges to aid in implementation of evidence-based external beam PBI.

Early outcomes of ultra-hypofractionated preoperative radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcoma followed by immediate surgical resection.

Background: There is increasing interest in shorter courses of radiation therapy (RT) in the management of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). We report our institutional experience for patients undergoing ultra-hypofractionated preoperative RT followed by immediate resection.

Methods: An IRB approved review of patients treated with preoperative 5 fraction, once daily RT followed by immediate resection (within 7 days) for STS of the extremity or trunk was conducted.

Risk factors for breast cancer-related lymphedema in patients undergoing 3 years of prospective surveillance with intervention.

Background: To evaluate risk factors (treatment-related, comorbidities, and lifestyle) for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) within the context of a Prospective Surveillance and Early Intervention (PSEI) model of care for subclinical BCRL.

Methods: The parent randomized clinical trial assigned patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer to PSEI with either bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) or tape measurement (TM). Surgical, systemic and radiation treatments, comorbidities, and lifestyle factors were recorded.

A multi-institutional prediction model to estimate the risk of recurrence and mortality after mastectomy for T1-2N1 breast cancer.

Background: Post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in women with pathologic stage T1-2N1M0 breast cancer is controversial.

Methods: Data from five North American institutions including women undergoing mastectomy without neoadjuvant therapy with pT1-2N1M0 breast cancer treated from 2006 to 2015 were pooled for analysis. Competing-risks regression was performed to identify factors associated with locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant metastasis (DM), overall recurrence (OR), and breast cancer mortality (BCM).

A Reanalysis of Experimental Brain Strain Data: Implication for Finite Element Head Model Validation.

Relative motion between the brain and skull and brain deformation are biomechanics aspects associated with many types of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Thus far, there is only one experimental endeavor (Hardy et al., 2007) reported brain strain under loading conditions commensurate with levels that were capable of producing injury.

Six-Year Results From a Phase I/II Trial for Hypofractionated Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Using a 2-Day Dose Schedule.

Background: To report 6-year outcomes from a phase I/II trial using balloon-based brachytherapy to deliver APBI in 2 days.

Methods: A total of 45 patients with early-stage breast cancer received adjuvant APBI in 2 days with high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy totaling 2800 cGy in 4 fractions (700 cGy BID) using a balloon-based applicator as part of a prospective phase I/II clinical trial. All patients had negative margins and skin spacing ≥8 mm.

Effect of 25 (OH) D replacements in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and coexistent vitamin D deficiency on serum 25(OH) D, calcium and PTH levels: a meta-analysis and review of literature.

Context: The safety of vitamin D replacement in subjects with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and coexistent vitamin D deficiency is not well established.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of vitamin D replacement in PHPT.

Data Source: Data were searched from Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL and abstracts form annual scientific meetings of various international bone and mineral societies.

Four-year results using balloon-based brachytherapy to deliver accelerated partial breast irradiation with a 2-day dose fractionation schedule.

Purpose: We present 4-year results from a Phase I/II trial using balloon-based brachytherapy to deliver accelerated partial breast irradiation in 2 days.

Materials/methods: Forty-five patients received breast-conserving surgery followed by adjuvant radiation therapy using a balloon-based brachytherapy applicator delivering 2800 cGy in four fractions over 2 days. Outcomes analyzed include toxicities scored using the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria v3.

Mechanisms of traumatic rupture of the aorta and associated peri-isthmic motion and deformation.

This study investigated the mechanisms of traumatic rupture of the aorta (TRA). Eight unembalmed human cadavers were tested using various dynamic blunt loading modes. Impacts were conducted using a 32-kg impactor with a 152-mm face, and high-speed seatbelt pretensioners.

A study of the response of the human cadaver head to impact.

High-speed biplane x-ray and neutral density targets were used to examine brain displacement and deformation during impact. Relative motion, maximum principal strain, maximum shear strain, and intracranial pressure were measured in thirty-five impacts using eight human cadaver head and neck specimens. The effect of a helmet was evaluated.

Study of potential mechanisms of traumatic rupture of the aorta using insitu experiments.

Traumatic rupture of the aorta (TRA) is an important transportation-related injury. This study investigated TRA mechanisms using in situ human cadaver experiments. Four quasi-static tests and one dynamic test were performed.

Dynamic biaxial tissue properties of the human cadaver aorta.

This study focuses on the biaxial mechanical properties of planar aorta tissue at strain rates likely to be experienced during automotive crashes. It also examines the structural response of the whole aorta to longitudinal tension. Twenty-six tissue-level tests were conducted using twelve thoracic aortas harvested from human cadavers.