Climatic, oceanic, freshwater, and local environmental drivers of New Zealand estuarine macroinvertebrates.

Understanding the responses of organisms to different environmental drivers is critical for improving ecosystem management and conservation. Estuarine ecosystems are under pressure from multiple anthropogenic stressors (e.g.

The 24-hour food frequency assessment screening tool (FAST24): Development and evaluation of a novel dietary screener to identify foods associated with weight change.

Background & Aims: Brief screening questionnaires can identify 'at risk' behaviors in clinical settings. However, there is currently no screener for dietary intake specifically developed using foods associated with body weight change and increased risk for multiple chronic conditions and diseases.

Methods: We developed a novel brief dietary screener, the 24-Hour Food Frequency Assessment Screening Tool Questionnaire (FAST24), to identify intake of foods associated with weight change.

Immune microenvironment profiling of normal appearing colorectal mucosa biopsied over repeat patient visits reproducibly separates lynch syndrome patients based on their history of colon cancer.

Introduction: Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary cause of colorectal cancer (CRC), increasing lifetime risk of CRC by up to 70%. Despite this higher lifetime risk, disease penetrance in LS patients is highly variable and most LS patients undergoing CRC surveillance will not develop CRC. Therefore, biomarkers that can correctly and consistently predict CRC risk in LS patients are needed to both optimize LS patient surveillance and help identify better prevention strategies that reduce risk of CRC development in the subset of high-risk LS patients.

Mutation-specific Mismatch Repair-deficient Benign Endometrial Glands in Endometrial Biopsies and Curettings Are a Biomarker of Lynch Syndrome and Associate With Endometrial Carcinoma Development.

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common extraintestinal cancer in Lynch syndrome (LS). Recent studies have demonstrated mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency can be detected in benign endometrial glands in LS. We performed MMR immunohistochemistry in benign endometrium from endometrial biopsies and curettings (EMCs) from a study group of 34 confirmed LS patients and a control group of 38 patients without LS who subsequently developed sporadic MLH1-deficient or MMR-proficient endometrial carcinoma.

Immune Microenvironment Profiling of Normal Appearing Colorectal Mucosa Biopsied Over Repeat Patient Visits Reproduciably Separates Lynch Syndrome Patients Based on Their History of Colon Cancer.

Introduction: Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary cause of colorectal cancer (CRC), increasing lifetime risk of CRC by up to 70%. Despite this higher lifetime risk, disease penetrance in LS patients is highly variable and most LS patients undergoing CRC surveillance will not develop CRC. Therefore, biomarkers that can correctly and consistently predict CRC risk in LS patients are needed to both optimize LS patient surveillance and help identify better prevention strategies that reduce risk of CRC development in the subset of high-risk LS patients.

rxCOV is a quantitative metric for assessing immunoassay analyte fidelity.

Immunoassay based bioanalytical measurements are widely used in a variety of biomedical research and clinical settings. In these settings they are assumed to faithfully represent the experimental conditions being tested and the sample groups being compared. Although significant technical advances have been made in improving sensitivity and quality of the measurements, currently no metrics exist that objectively quantify the fidelity of the measured analytes with respect to noise associated with the specific assay.

Colorectal Neoplasia in CDH1 Pathogenic Variant Carriers: A Multicenter Analysis.

Introduction: Germline variants in CDH1 are associated with elevated risks of diffuse gastric cancer and lobular breast cancer. It is uncertain whether there is an increased risk of colorectal neoplasia.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of colonoscopy outcomes in patients with germline CDH1 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants.

The Multicenter Cancer of Pancreas Screening Study: Impact on Stage and Survival.

Purpose: To report pancreas surveillance outcomes of high-risk individuals within the multicenter Cancer of Pancreas Screening-5 (CAPS5) study and to update outcomes of patients enrolled in prior CAPS studies.

Methods: Individuals recommended for pancreas surveillance were prospectively enrolled into one of eight CAPS5 study centers between 2014 and 2021. The primary end point was the stage distribution of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) detected (stage I higher-stage).

Pancreatic Cancer Surveillance and Novel Strategies for Screening.

Individuals with a genetic susceptibility to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) may benefit from surveillance to increase the likelihood of early detection. Currently, candidates for surveillance are identified based on genetic test results and family history of PDAC, and surveillance is accomplished through imaging of the pancreas (endoscopic ultrasound or MRI). Novel methods that incorporate personalized risk, biomarkers, and radiomics are being investigated in an attempt to improve identification of at-risk individuals and to increase detection of precursor and early-stage lesions.

Revisiting vitamin D status and supplementation for in-patients with intellectual and developmental disability in the North of England, UK.

Aims And Method: To re-evaluate vitamin D testing and supplementation among in-patients with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) and examine any correlates with physical health conditions, including COVID-19. Records of all in-patients between January 2019 and July 2020 (n = 78) were examined for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level, ward area, supplementation status, test seasonality, medication and health status.

Results: The mean 25(OH)D level for supplemented (800 IU/day) patients was 75 nmol/L (s.

COVID-19 related pancreatic cancer surveillance disruptions amongst high-risk individuals.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions to EUS-based pancreatic cancer surveillance in high-risk individuals remain uncertain.

Methods: Analysis of enrolled participants in the CAPS5 Study, a prospective multicenter study of pancreatic cancer surveillance in high-risk individuals.

Results: Amongst 693 enrolled high-risk individuals under active surveillance, 108 (16%) had an EUS scheduled during the COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdown (median length of 78 days) in the spring of 2020, with 97% of these procedures being canceled.

DNA mismatch repair-deficient non-neoplastic endometrial glands are common in Lynch syndrome patients and are present at a higher density than in the colon.

Aims: The hallmark of Lynch syndrome (LS) is DNA mismatch repair protein (MMR) deficiency. Recently, MMR deficiency in non-neoplastic colonic crypts has been identified as a novel indicator of LS. We aimed to determine whether MMR-deficient non-neoplastic endometrial glands can distinguish patients with and without LS, and to compare the level of MMR deficiency in the normal endometrium and colon in LS patients.

Burden and Unmet Needs with Portable Oxygen in Patients on Long-Term Oxygen Therapy.

Over 1.5 million Americans receive long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) for the treatment of chronic hypoxemia to optimize functional status and quality of life. However, current portable oxygen equipment, including portable gas tanks (GTs), portable liquid tanks (LTs), and portable oxygen concentrators (POCs), each have limitations that can hinder patient mobility and daily activities.

Phenotypic Differences in Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome With or Without a Disease-causing / Variant.

Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) is a clinically diagnosed hamartomatous polyposis syndrome that increases the risk of gastrointestinal cancer. Approximately 40%-50% of JPS is caused by a germline disease-causing variant (DCV) in the or genes. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype of DCV-negative JPS and compare it with DCV-positive JPS.

Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Gastrointestinal Cancer Position statement on multigene panel testing for patients with colorectal cancer and/or polyposis.

Multigene panel tests for hereditary cancer syndromes are increasingly utilized in the care of colorectal cancer (CRC) and polyposis patients. However, widespread availability of panels raises a number of questions including which patients should undergo testing, which genes should be included on panels, and the settings in which panels should be ordered and interpreted. To address this knowledge gap, key questions regarding the major issues encountered in clinical evaluation of hereditary CRC and polyposis were designed by the Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Gastrointestinal Cancer Position Statement Committee and leadership.

Detection of DNA mismatch repair deficient crypts in random colonoscopic biopsies identifies Lynch syndrome patients.

The hallmark of Lynch syndrome (LS)-associated neoplasia is DNA mismatch repair protein (MMR) deficiency. Recent studies have demonstrated that histologically normal colonic crypts in patients with LS can exhibit deficient MMR expression. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of detecting MMR deficient crypts in random colonoscopic biopsies of normal mucosa in patients with and without LS.

Pancreatic Cancer Surveillance: Who, When, and How.

Purpose Of Review: Individuals who have an increased risk for pancreatic cancer (PC) due to personal or family history may benefit from surveillance of the pancreas to increase the likelihood of early detection. This review explores current indications for PC surveillance, as well as options for surveillance modality and timing, and data regarding surveillance outcomes.

Recent Findings: Recently published data suggests that individuals undergoing surveillance who develop PC are more likely to be diagnosed with resectable disease, which improves survival.

The Role of Ceramide 1-Phosphate in Inflammation, Cellular Proliferation, and Wound Healing.

The phospho-sphingolipid, ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), has long been implicated as a dynamic bioactive agent. Over two decades of research has begun to characterize various regulatory roles for C1P from mammalian inflammatory response and wound healing to cellular proliferation and survival. As a metabolite of the intricately balanced "sphingolipid rheostat", C1P stands as a crucial physiological regulator of both upstream and downstream mechanisms.

The impact of genetic counseling on patient engagement in a specialty cancer clinic.

The identification of patient outcomes unique to the field of genetic counseling has become a recent priority of the profession. Current health-care efforts have targeted patient engagement as an outcome capable of improving population health and reducing health-care costs. This study analyzed patient engagement levels among 182 participants who underwent genetic counseling for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer risk assessment in an outpatient specialty clinic.

The use of an automated call to elicit and characterize postpartum concerns after hospital discharge.

Background: The postpartum period is a high-risk time for women, but most women do not have an opportunity to discuss concerns with providers until 4-6 weeks after delivery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of an automated call system to contact postpartum patients within 72 hours of hospital discharge and to identify characteristics that are associated with postpartum concerns.

Study Design: A prospective cohort of 2948 women in the postpartum period were contacted via an automated call within 72 hours of discharge to elicit concerns.

Family communication and patient distress after germline genetic testing in individuals with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Germline genetic testing currently is recommended for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In the current study, the authors assessed how often results are communicated to first-degree relatives within 3 months and the emotional impact of testing on patients.

Methods: A total of 148 patients who were newly diagnosed with PDAC and who had undergone testing of 32 cancer susceptibility genes at 3 academic centers were selected; 71% participated.

Prospective study of germline genetic testing in incident cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in 32 cancer susceptibility genes in individuals with newly diagnosed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A key secondary objective was to evaluate how often PGVs would have been undetected with existing genetic testing criteria.

Methods: From May 2016 through May 2017, this multicenter cohort study enrolled consecutive patients aged 18 to 89 years with histologically confirmed PDAC diagnosed within the previous 12 weeks.

Making surgical wards safer for patients with diabetes: reducing hypoglycaemia and insulin errors.

High-quality perioperative diabetes care is essential to improve surgical outcomes for patients with diabetes. Inadequate perioperative diabetes care is associated with increased wound complications, higher mortality rates and increased length of hospital stay. Despite national guidelines, surgical wards remain a high-risk area for poor diabetes care.

Use of Plasma-Based Trauma Transfusion Protocols at Level IV Trauma Centers.

Early initiation of a high ratio massive transfusion can lower trauma patient mortality by 80%. Long transport times from rural Level IV trauma centers therefore require that damage control resuscitation begin before patient transfer. This study evaluates the current use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) at Level IV trauma centers and the feasibility of implementing trauma transfusion protocols at these centers.