Cytomegalovirus Reactivation in Seropositive Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Retrospective Analysis of a UK Cohort.

Objectives: Cytomegalovirus infection is the most common opportunistic infection affecting organ transplant recipients and is associated with detrimental allograft and patient outcomes. In recipients previously seronegative for cytomegalovirus, acquired infection is termed primary infection, whereas infection acquired in recipients with previously confirmed seropositivity is called reactivation. Cytomegalovirus seropositivity carries a great risk of reactivation, and management for these patients may vary, from dug prophylaxis to pre emptive viral monitoring.

Apex1 safeguards genomic stability to ensure a cytopathic T cell fate in autoimmune disease models.

T cells have a remarkable capacity to clonally expand, a process that is intricately linked to their effector activities. As vigorously proliferating T cell also incur substantial DNA lesions, how the dividing T cells safeguard their genomic integrity to allow the generation of T effector cells remains largely unknown. Here we report the identification of the apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease-1 (Apex1) as an indispensable molecule for the induction of cytopathic T effectors in mouse models.

Examining the evidence for immune checkpoint therapy in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

The 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer has remained relatively static over the past number of years, which can be attributed in part to the lack of new therapeutic strategies to target this disease. Although numerous other cancer types have benefited from the success of immune checkpoint inhibitors, their use in clinical trials targeting ovarian cancer has shown limited efficacy. Most clinical trials have focused on PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade, either as a monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapies, however inhibiting other pathways may potentially be more efficacious in treating ovarian cancer.

Outcomes of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Liver Transplantation Utilizing Extended Criteria Donor Grafts.

Background: The deceased donor shortage in the United States has led to increased utilization extended criteria donor (ECD) liver grafts. Centers often utilize ECD grafts in patients with low Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, like patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, few studies have directly examined the outcomes of using ECD grafts in patients with HCC.

The food environment and postdiagnosis weight gain among Black women breast cancer survivors in Maryland.

Background: Weight management is included in the American Cancer Society/American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Survivorship Care Guidelines for its clinical impact on breast cancer (BC) survivorship. Few studies have examined the impact of neighborhood-level factors associated with postdiagnosis weight change among Black BC survivors.

Methods: We recruited 100 Black female BC survivors to complete an online survey, including demographic, clinical characteristics, and lifestyle factors, between January 5, 2022 and August 18, 2022.

Synthesis and Application of Chiral 2-Amido and 1-Phenyl-2-amido Dienes in Diels-Alder Reactions to Access Chiral Cyclic Ketones.

The preparation of a focused library of chiral 2-amido and 2-amido-1-phenyl-1,3-dienes from a range of chiral oxazolidinones using palladium-catalysis is reported. This palladium-catalyzed carbon-nitrogen bond-forming reaction provides the corresponding chiral amido-dienes in moderate to excellent yields (12 examples, up to 97%). The resulting chiral amido-dienes are employed as novel dienes in Diels-Alder (DA) reactions (58 examples, up to 93:7 dr, up to 70% yield).

The learning curve for robotic living donor right hepatectomy: Analysis of outcomes in 2 specialized centers.

Robotic surgery is an emerging minimally invasive option for living donor hepatectomy. Currently, there are no studies on the learning curve of robotic donor hepatectomy. Thus, we evaluated the learning curve for robotic donor right hepatectomy.

Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Autistic Young Adults Participating in Employment Readiness Skills Training.

This study aimed to examine the experiences and perceptions of participants engaged in an employment readiness program, Employment Preparation And Skills Support (EPASS), which is a manualized group-based training program designed to improve employment readiness among autistic young adults. A qualitative descriptive design was utilized to generate thick descriptions through semi-structured interviews with 22 transition-age autistic individuals (Mage = 20; 6 females; 16 males). Thematic analysis was employed to understand the experiences and career outcomes of transition-age autistic individuals pre- and post-participation in the EPASS program.

Food security among black breast cancer survivors in Maryland: insights from an online pilot study.

Purpose: Food security, and reliable access to nutritious food, is essential for maintaining health yet remains elusive for many, including U.S. patients with breast cancer (BC).

Utilization of Immunotherapy as a Neoadjuvant Therapy for Liver Transplant Recipients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely recognized as the predominant type of primary liver malignancy. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has emerged as a highly effective treatment option for unresectable HCC. Immunotherapies as neoadjuvant options are now being actively investigated in the transplant oncology era to enhance outcomes in patients with HCC.

Liver transplantation for alcohol-associated liver disease.

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and a leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in many countries, including the United States. However, LT for ALD is a complex and evolving field with ethical, social, and medical challenges. Thus, it requires a multidisciplinary approach and individualized decision-making.

Update on the Screening, Diagnosis, and Management of Cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a neoplasm of the biliary tract that has become increasingly prevalent throughout the world. Common risk factors for developing CCA include cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and trematode fluke infestation, although there are no set screening guidelines in high-risk groups. Lesions are typically identified via cross-sectional imaging and/or elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, often followed by cytology or brushings with fluorescence in situ hybridization for confirmation.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening Guidelines (2022): a series of treated infants falling outside the updated criteria.

Background/objectives: Screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a core healthcare intervention in premature babies to avoid preventable sight loss. A variety of screening criteria are in place globally for this purpose. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health recently updated the United Kingdom ROP screening guidelines (March 2022).

A qualitative feasibility study of a prototype patient-centered video intervention to increase uptake of cancer genetic testing among Black Americans.

Background: Health advances due to developments in genomic medicine are unequally experienced in the USA; racial differences in the uptake of genetic testing are one factor in this disparity. In collaboration with Black patients and diverse health care providers, we are developing a patient-centered video intervention to increase cancer genetic testing among eligible Black Americans. The objective of the pilot work is to explore the acceptability of and support for the intervention and key content components.

Single-center Outcomes After Liver Transplantation With SARS-CoV-2-Positive Donors: An Argument for Increased Utilization.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in SARS-CoV-2-test positive potential organ donors. The benefits of life-saving liver transplantation (LT) must be balanced against the potential risk of donor-derived viral transmission. Although emerging evidence suggests that the use of COVID-19-positive donor organs may be safe, granular series thoroughly evaluating safety are still needed.

Childhood Maltreatment and Leukocyte Telomere Length: Cardiac Vagal Activity Influences the Relation in Older Adults.

Objective: Childhood maltreatment is associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL). However, the influence of cardiac vagal control on this relation is unknown. We examined whether cardiac vagal control at rest and in response to stress moderates or cross-sectionally mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and LTL.

Production and secretion of recombinant spider silk in Bacillus megaterium.

Background: Silk proteins have emerged as versatile biomaterials with unique chemical and physical properties, making them appealing for various applications. Among them, spider silk, known for its exceptional mechanical strength, has attracted considerable attention. Recombinant production of spider silk represents the most promising route towards its scaled production; however, challenges persist within the upstream optimization of host organisms, including toxicity and low yields.

Bloodstream infections after solid organ transplantation: clinical epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance (2016-21).

Background: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at risk of bloodstream infections (BSIs) with MDR organisms (MDROs).

Objectives: To describe the epidemiology of BSI in the year after several types of SOT, as well as the prevalence of MDRO infections in this population.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre, retrospective study of kidney, liver, heart, and multi-organ transplantation patients.

Impact of recipient age on mortality among Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seronegative lung transplant recipients with CMV-seropositive donors.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seronegative lung transplant recipients (LTRs) with seropositive donors (CMV D+/R-) have the highest mortality of all CMV serostatuses. Due to immunosenescence and other factors, we hypothesized CMV D+/R- status might disproportionately impact older LTRs. Thus, we investigated whether recipient age modified the relationship between donor CMV status and mortality among CMV-seronegative LTRs.

Molecular profiling in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to both summarize the current knowledge of hepatocellular carcinoma molecular biology and to suggest a framework in which to prospectively translate this knowledge into patient care. This is timely as recent guidelines recommend increased use of these technologies to advance personalized liver cancer care.

Recent Findings: The main themes covered here address germline and somatic genetic alterations recently discovered in hepatocellular carcinoma, largely owing to next generation sequencing technologies, and nascent efforts to translate these into contemporary practice.

Transplant Oncology: An Emerging Discipline of Cancer Treatment.

Transplant oncology is an emerging concept of cancer treatment with a promising prospective outcome. The applications of oncology, transplant medicine, and surgery are the core of transplant oncology to improve patients' survival and quality of life. The main concept of transplant oncology is to radically cure cancer by removing the diseased organ and replacing it with a healthy one, aiming to improve the survival outcomes and quality of life of cancer patients.

An external validation of the Kidney Donor Risk Index in the UK transplant population in the presence of semi-competing events.

Background: Transplantation represents the optimal treatment for many patients with end-stage kidney disease. When a donor kidney is available to a waitlisted patient, clinicians responsible for the care of the potential recipient must make the decision to accept or decline the offer based upon complex and variable information about the donor, the recipient and the transplant process. A clinical prediction model may be able to support clinicians in their decision-making.