A Pilot Trial of Patient-Reported Outcomes for Acute Graft-Versus-Host-Disease.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Acute GVHD is associated with severe physical and psychosocial symptoms. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of capturing patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures in acute GVHD to better measure symptom burden and quality of life (QOL).

Development of a selection assay for small guide RNAs that drive efficient site-directed RNA editing.

A major challenge confronting the clinical application of site-directed RNA editing (SDRE) is the design of small guide RNAs (gRNAs) that can drive efficient editing. Although many gRNA designs have effectively recruited endogenous Adenosine Deaminases that Act on RNA (ADARs), most of them exceed the size of currently FDA-approved antisense oligos. We developed an unbiased in vitro selection assay to identify short gRNAs that promote superior RNA editing of a premature termination codon.

Comparison of Quality of Life and Outcomes between Haploidentical and Matched Related/Unrelated Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Haploidentical (haplo) donor grafts are a well-established alternative donor source for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT); however, data comparing health-realted quality of life (HRQOL) measures between haplo-HCT and HCT using other donor sources are lacking. We hypothesized that post-transplantation HRQOL might not differ between haplo-HCT and HCT with other graft sources. We conducted a single-institution retrospective analysis comparing HRQOL of haplo-HCT with matched-related donor (MRD) HCT and matched unrelated donor (MUD) HCT for hematologic diseases.

Quality-of-Life Trajectories in Adolescent and Young Adult versus Older Adult Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is physically and psychologically challenging, potentially exposing patients to quality-of-life (QoL) impairments. Adolescent and young adults (AYAs, aged 15 to 39 years) are a vulnerable cohort facing multiple hurdles due to dynamic changes in several aspects of their lives. The AYA population may be particularly prone to QoL issues during HCT.

Effects of Host, Sample, and Culture on Genomic Diversity of Pathogenic Mycobacteria.

(), an obligate human pathogen and the etiological agent of tuberculosis (TB), remains a major threat to global public health. Comparative genomics has been invaluable for monitoring the emergence and spread of TB and for gaining insight into adaptation of . Most genomic studies of are based on single bacterial isolates that have been cultured for several weeks .

Extraction of Highly Degraded DNA from Ancient Bones and Teeth.

We provide a DNA extraction protocol optimized for the recovery of highly fragmented molecules preserved within bones and teeth. In this method, the hard tissue matrix is degraded using an EDTA/Proteinase K lysis buffer, and the DNA is purified using spin columns with silica membranes. This method efficiently recovers molecules as short as 35 base-pairs long.

Psychosocial Assessment of Candidates for Transplant (PACT) as a tool for psychological and social evaluation of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients.

Psychosocial Assessment of Candidates for Transplant (PACT) is a tool originally developed to address psychosocial risks in solid organ transplant recipients and has the potential for application to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients. In a retrospective cohort study, we reviewed 404 adult allogeneic HCT cases from 2003 to 2014 to identify predictors of adverse psychosocial status as determined by PACT. Final PACT rating was poor/borderline (score 0-1) in 5%, acceptable (score 2) in 22%, good (score 3) in 44%, and excellent (score 4) in 29% recipients.

Perceived Workforce Challenges among Clinical Social Workers in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Programs.

Clinical social workers are psychosocial care experts who provide interventions that aim to address the emotional, relational, financial, and logistical challenges that arise throughout the hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) treatment and recovery process. Interventions that contribute to better patient outcomes can include cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling for adaptation to illness, family planning for 24/7 caregiver availability and strategies to support patient activities of daily living, instruction on guided imagery and relaxation techniques for symptom management and to decrease anxiety, psychoeducation on the treatment trajectory, and linkage with financial resources. A Social Work Workforce Group (SWG) was established through the System Capacity Initiative, led by the National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match, to characterize the current social work workforce capacity and challenges.

Burnout, Moral Distress, Work-Life Balance, and Career Satisfaction among Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Professionals.

A projected shortage of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) health professionals was identified as a major issue during the National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match System Capacity Initiative. Work-related distress and work-life balance were noted to be potential barriers to recruitment/retention. This study examined these barriers and their association with career satisfaction across HCT disciplines.

Music Therapy for Symptom Management After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: Results From a Randomized Study.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is frequently performed in patients with hematologic malignancies. ASCT can result in significant nausea, pain, and discomfort. Supportive care has improved, and pharmacologic therapies are frequently used, but with limitations.

Prognostic significance of pre-transplant quality of life in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients.

Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients. Whether pre-HCT QOL adds prognostic information to patient and disease related risk factors has not been well described. We investigated the association of pre-HCT QOL with relapse, non-relapse mortality (NRM), and overall mortality after allogeneic HCT.

Quality of life and outcomes in patients⩾60 years of age after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has become an established standard of care for many older patients with hematologic malignancies. The effect of transplantation on the quality of life (QOL) of older patients, however, has not been well studied. We thus analyzed QOL in patients ⩾60 undergoing an allogeneic HCT compared with patients <60 years.

Diverting victims of commercial sexual exploitation from juvenile detention: development of the InterCSECt screening protocol.

Identifying victims of commercial sexual exploitation in the juvenile justice system is a challenging complexity requiring concerted organizational commitment. Using a three-tiered, trauma-informed screening process, a 3½-month pilot intervention was implemented in Clark County Juvenile Court (Washington) to identify victims in an effort to connect them to community youth advocates and sexual assault resources. A total of 535 boys and girls ages 9 to 19 were screened during intake; 47 of these youth reported risk factors associated with commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and were subsequently referred to community advocates.

Patterns of coding variation in the complete exomes of three Neandertals.

We present the DNA sequence of 17,367 protein-coding genes in two Neandertals from Spain and Croatia and analyze them together with the genome sequence recently determined from a Neandertal from southern Siberia. Comparisons with present-day humans from Africa, Europe, and Asia reveal that genetic diversity among Neandertals was remarkably low, and that they carried a higher proportion of amino acid-changing (nonsynonymous) alleles inferred to alter protein structure or function than present-day humans. Thus, Neandertals across Eurasia had a smaller long-term effective population than present-day humans.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of a Middle Pleistocene cave bear reconstructed from ultrashort DNA fragments.

Although an inverse relationship is expected in ancient DNA samples between the number of surviving DNA fragments and their length, ancient DNA sequencing libraries are strikingly deficient in molecules shorter than 40 bp. We find that a loss of short molecules can occur during DNA extraction and present an improved silica-based extraction protocol that enables their efficient retrieval. In combination with single-stranded DNA library preparation, this method enabled us to reconstruct the mitochondrial genome sequence from a Middle Pleistocene cave bear (Ursus deningeri) bone excavated at Sima de los Huesos in the Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain.

Ancient DNA damage.

Under favorable conditions DNA can survive for thousands of years in the remains of dead organisms. The DNA extracted from such remains is invariably degraded to a small average size by processes that at least partly involve depurination. It also contains large amounts of deaminated cytosine residues that are accumulated toward the ends of the molecules, as well as several other lesions that are less well characterized.

Validating the positive impact of in-hospital lay care-partner support on patient survival in allogeneic BMT: a prospective study.

This prospective study validates the finding from retrospective research that having an inpatient lay care-partner (CP) is associated with better survival following allogeneic BMT. Compared with patients without a CP (n=76), patients with a CP (n=88) have significantly better OS (P=0.017) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (P=0.

A high-coverage genome sequence from an archaic Denisovan individual.

We present a DNA library preparation method that has allowed us to reconstruct a high-coverage (30×) genome sequence of a Denisovan, an extinct relative of Neandertals. The quality of this genome allows a direct estimation of Denisovan heterozygosity indicating that genetic diversity in these archaic hominins was extremely low. It also allows tentative dating of the specimen on the basis of "missing evolution" in its genome, detailed measurements of Denisovan and Neandertal admixture into present-day human populations, and the generation of a near-complete catalog of genetic changes that swept to high frequency in modern humans since their divergence from Denisovans.

Length and GC-biases during sequencing library amplification: a comparison of various polymerase-buffer systems with ancient and modern DNA sequencing libraries.

High-throughput sequencing technologies frequently necessitate the use of PCR for sequencing library amplification. PCR is a sometimes enigmatic process and is known to introduce biases. Here we perform a simple amplification-sequencing assay using 10 commercially available polymerase-buffer systems to amplify libraries prepared from both modern and ancient DNA.

Utility of the psychosocial assessment of candidates for transplantation (PACT) scale in allogeneic BMT.

The psychosocial assessment of candidates for transplantation (PACT) scale was completed before the transplant on 120 patients who underwent allogeneic transplant from November 2003 to June 2007. The PACT has eight subscales, each rated on a 5-point scale, and an initial and final rating independently based on the rater's overall impressions of the candidate's acceptability for transplant. This exploratory study assessed the clinical utility of the PACT scale for psychosocial screening in allogeneic BMT.

Allogeneic BMT and patient eligibility based on psychosocial criteria: a survey of BMT professionals.

BMT professionals were compared regarding their willingness to proceed with allogeneic BMT given select psychosocial issues. A questionnaire was sent to 660 physician members of ASBMT, 92 social work members of BMT Special Interest Group, Association of Oncology Social Work, and 626 nurse members of BMT Special Interest Group, Oncology Nursing Society; 597 responded with a response rate of 43.5%.

Attitudes To and Knowledge of CAMHS: Differences Between Pakistani and White British Mothers.

Background: Research suggests that there are differences in the problems that are referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) by White British and Asian families as well as differences in how these services are accessed. There is a need for more information about how different ethnic communities perceive and access CAMH services.

Method: White British or Pakistani mothers of children between 0-20 years at an urban health centre were invited to complete a study-specific questionnaire written in English (with verbal translation provided when needed).

Endothelin-mediated constriction of prenodal lymphatic vessels in the canine forelimb.

Endothelin is a 21 amino acid peptide which is produced by the vascular endothelium and is believed to be the mediator of endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction. In the current study we assessed the ability of synthetic human endothelin-1 to affect prenodal lymphatic vessel contractility in the canine forelimb. Intralymphatic infusion of endothelin at 1.