Can Peer Review Be Kinder? Supportive Peer Review: A Re-Commitment to Kindness and a Call to Action.

Peer review aims to select articles for publication and to improve articles before publication. We believe that this process can be infused by kindness without losing rigor. In 2014, the founding editorial team of the (CJKHD) made an explicit commitment to treat authors as we would wish to be treated ourselves.

Hereditary colorectal cancer screening: A 10-year longitudinal cohort study following an educational intervention.

Family history (FH) of a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with two to fourfold increased risk, yet screening uptake is suboptimal despite proven mortality reduction. We developed a FH-based CRC Risk Triage/Management tool for family physicians (FPs), and educational booklet for patients with CRC FH. This report describes physician referral and patient screening behavior 5 and 10 years post-educational intervention, and factors associated with screening.

Universal tumor screening for lynch syndrome: perspectives of patients regarding willingness and informed consent.

Lynch Syndrome is associated with a significant risk of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and other cancers. Universal tumor screening is a strategy to identify high-risk individuals by testing all CRC tumors for molecular features suggestive of Lynch Syndrome. Patient interest in screening and preferences for consent have been underexplored.

Imaging musculoskeletal soft tissue infections.

Musculoskeletal soft tissue infections are not uncommonly encountered in both the clinic and Emergency Department setting. The clinical diagnosis is not always evident as these infections can have variable presentations depending on the duration and depth of disease extension through the soft-tissue layers. Imaging often plays an important role in diagnosing the infection, defining the extent of involvement, directing tissue sampling, and in monitoring treatment response.

The long-term survival characteristics of a cohort of colorectal cancer patients and baseline variables associated with survival outcomes with or without time-varying effects.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world. In this study, we assessed the long-term survival characteristics and prognostic associations and potential time-varying effects of clinico-demographic variables and two molecular markers (microsatellite instability (MSI) and BRAF Val600Glu mutation) in a population-based patient cohort followed up to ~ 19 years.

Methods: The patient cohort included 738 incident cases diagnosed between 1999 and 2003.

Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: Perceptions of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors of barriers and facilitators.

Background: People at risk of developing hereditary cancers associated with Lynch Syndrome (LS) can be identified through universal screening of colorectal tumors. However, tumor screening practices are variable across Canada and few studies explore the perspectives of genetic counselors and pathologists about tumor screening. This study was conducted to better understand the barriers and facilitators of implementing universal tumor screening in health centers across Canada.

Telephone versus in-person colorectal cancer risk and screening intervention for first-degree relatives: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Having a first-degree relative (FDR) with colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant risk factor for CRC. Counseling for FDRs regarding CRC risk factors and personalized risk is important to improve knowledge and screening compliance.

Methods: A 3-arm randomized controlled trial compared tailored in-person and telephone CRC counseling interventions with controls among FDRs who were not mutation carriers for known hereditary cancer syndromes, but who were considered to be at an increased risk based on family history.

Universal tumor screening for Lynch syndrome: perspectives of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors.

Universal screening of all newly diagnosed colorectal cancer tumors can identify individuals at high risk for Lynch syndrome (LS), a hereditary cancer syndrome predisposing carriers to increased risk of colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers. To inform planning of a universal tumor screening program for LS in our jurisdiction, we undertook online surveys of Canadian pathologists and genetic counselors to describe existing tumor screening programs. Online surveys were hosted on SurveyMonkey between October 2016 and March 2017.

Surgical treatment choices for breast cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Mastectomy is often chosen by women for treatment of breast cancer, even when breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is an option. Newfoundland and Labrador has a high mastectomy rate. We documented the number of breast cancers over a given period in the province and their related surgical treatments, and explored the impact of several variables on surgical choice.

Association of rs2282679 A>C polymorphism in vitamin D binding protein gene with colorectal cancer risk and survival: effect modification by dietary vitamin D intake.

Background: The rs2282679 A>C polymorphism in the vitamin D binding protein gene is associated with lower circulating levels of vitamin D. We investigated associations of this SNP with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and survival and whether the associations vary by dietary vitamin D intake and tumor molecular phenotype.

Methods: A population-based case-control study identified 637 incident CRC cases (including 489 participants with follow-up data on mortality end-points) and 489 matched controls.

Breast cancer surgical treatment choices in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: Patient and surgeon perspectives.

Background: Breast cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer death among Canadian women. Treatment for breast cancer often includes surgery. Many women have a choice between mastectomy (MT; removal of the entire breast) or breast conserving surgery (BCS; removal of the tumour and some noncancerous breast tissue) followed by radiation.

Vitamin D receptor and calcium-sensing receptor polymorphisms and colorectal cancer survival in the Newfoundland population.

Background: Increased serum levels of vitamin D and calcium have been associated with lower risks of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. These inverse associations may be mediated by the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR). We investigated genetic variants in VDR and CASR for their relevance to CRC prognosis.

Quality of life following prophylactic gynecological surgery: experiences of female Lynch mutation carriers.

Lynch syndrome (LS) is a genetic condition conferring an elevated risk of gastrointestinal, gynecologic and other malignancies, often before the age of 50. Current guidelines recommend prophylactic gynecologic surgery to manage inherited cancers for female mutation carriers. Data is lacking on women's quality of life following surgery.

Germline INDELs and CNVs in a cohort of colorectal cancer patients: their characteristics, associations with relapse-free survival time, and potential time-varying effects on the risk of relapse.

INDELs and CNVs are structural variations that may play roles in cancer susceptibility and patient outcomes. Our objectives were a) to computationally detect and examine the genome-wide INDEL/CNV profiles in a cohort of colorectal cancer patients, and b) to examine the associations of frequent INDELs/CNVs with relapse-free survival time. We also identified unique variants in 13 Familial Colorectal Cancer Type X (FCCX) cases.

No associations of a set of SNPs in the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) genes with survival of colorectal cancer patients.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the associations of genetic variations within select genes functioning in angiogenesis, lymph-angiogenesis, and metastasis pathways and the risk of outcome in colorectal cancer patients. We followed a two-stage analysis: First, 381 polymorphisms from 30 genes (eight Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and 22 Matrix Metalloproteinase [MMP] genes) were investigated in the discovery cohort (n = 505). Then, 16 polymorphisms with the lowest P-value in this analysis were investigated in a separate replication cohort (n = 247).

Promoter methylation of ITF2, but not APC, is associated with microsatellite instability in two populations of colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Aberrant Wnt signaling activation occurs commonly in colorectal carcinogenesis, leading to upregulation of many target genes. APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) is an important component of the β-catenin destruction complex, which regulates Wnt signaling, and is often mutated in colorectal cancer (CRC). In addition to mutational events, epigenetic changes arise frequently in CRC, specifically, promoter hypermethylation which silences tumor suppressor genes.

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms, its copy number change and outcome in colorectal cancer.

Background: Mitochondrion is a small organelle inside the eukaryotic cells. It has its own genome (mtDNA) and encodes for proteins that are critical for energy production and cellular metabolism. Mitochondrial dysfunctions have been implicated in cancer progression and may be related to poor prognosis in cancer patients.

A Survival Association Study of 102 Polymorphisms Previously Associated with Survival Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer.

Several published studies identified associations of a number of polymorphisms with a variety of survival outcomes in colorectal cancer. In this study, we aimed to explore 102 previously reported common genetic polymorphisms and their associations with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in a colorectal cancer patient cohort from Newfoundland (n = 505). Genotypes were obtained using a genomewide SNP genotyping platform.

A genome wide association study on Newfoundland colorectal cancer patients' survival outcomes.

Background: In this study we performed genome-wide association studies to identify candidate SNPs that may predict the risk of disease outcome in colorectal cancer.

Methods: Patient cohort consisted of 505 unrelated patients with Caucasian ancestry. Germline DNA samples were genotyped using the Illumina® human Omni-1quad SNP chip.

Decisions about prophylactic gynecologic surgery: a qualitative study of the experience of female Lynch syndrome mutation carriers.

Background: Women who carry a mutation for Lynch syndrome face complex decisions regarding strategies for managing their increased cancer risks. At present, there is limited understanding of the factors influencing women's prophylactic surgery decisions.

Methods: As part of an exploratory pilot project, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 women who were Lynch syndrome mutation carriers and had made prophylactic surgery decisions.

Randomized controlled trials: planning, monitoring, and execution.

Large integrated multidisciplinary teams have become recognized as an efficient means by which to drive innovation and discovery in clinical research. This chapter describes how to plan, budget and fund these large studies and execute the studies with well-designed governance and monitoring protocols in place, to efficiently manage the large, often dispersed teams involved. Sources of funding are identified, budget development, justification, reporting, financial governance and accountability are described, in addition to the creation and management of the multidisciplinary team that will implement the research plan.

Examining the polymorphisms in the hypoxia pathway genes in relation to outcome in colorectal cancer.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy. Identification of genetic prognostic markers may help prognostic estimations in colorectal cancer. Genes that regulate response to hypoxia and other genes that are regulated under the hypoxic conditions have been shown to play roles in cancer progression.

Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease: a unique launch of a unique journal.

Usually inaugural editorials are written by the Editor-in-Chief to describe the scope and vision for the journal to potential authors and readers. This editorial is written by the Editor-in-Chief, the Deputy Editors and the Associate Editors collaboratively as a clear signal that this is a unique and different journal. We will build this journal on a set of principles which are fundamental to improving the outcomes of patients with kidney disease.

Dietary N-nitroso compounds and risk of colorectal cancer: a case-control study in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, Canada.

Several N-nitroso compounds (NOC) have been shown to be carcinogenic in a variety of laboratory animals, but evidence of their carcinogenicity in humans is lacking. We aimed to examine the association between NOC intake and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and possible effect modification by vitamins C and E and protein in a large case-control study carried out in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, Canada. A total of 1760 case patients with pathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma and 2481 population controls were asked to complete a self-administered FFQ to evaluate their dietary intakes 1 year before diagnosis (for cases) or interview (for controls).

MTHFR Glu429Ala and ERCC5 His46His polymorphisms are associated with prognosis in colorectal cancer patients: analysis of two independent cohorts from Newfoundland.

Introduction: In this study, 27 genetic polymorphisms that were previously reported to be associated with clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer patients were investigated in relation to overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) in colorectal cancer patients from Newfoundland.

Methods: The discovery and validation cohorts comprised of 532 and 252 patients, respectively. Genotypes of 27 polymorphisms were first obtained in the discovery cohort and survival analyses were performed assuming the co-dominant genetic model.