Incidence and risk of arterial thromboembolism in cancer patients from a safety-net healthcare system.

Background: The incidence of and risk factors for arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in patients with cancer, particularly in those with low socioeconomic status, remains understudied.

Objectives: We aimed to report the association between cancer-related and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and the development of ATE.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed invasive cancer from 2011 to 2021 at a safety-net hospital system.

Targeting peptide antigens using a multiallelic MHC I-binding system.

Identifying highly specific T cell receptors (TCRs) or antibodies against epitopic peptides presented by class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC I) proteins remains a bottleneck in the development of targeted therapeutics. Here, we introduce targeted recognition of antigen-MHC complex reporter for MHC I (TRACeR-I), a generalizable platform for targeting peptides on polymorphic HLA-A*, HLA-B* and HLA-C* allotypes while overcoming the cross-reactivity challenges of TCRs. Our TRACeR-MHC I co-crystal structure reveals a unique antigen recognition mechanism, with TRACeR forming extensive contacts across the entire peptide length to confer single-residue specificity at the accessible positions.

Racial and Ethnic Disparity for Cancer Mortality in General and Single-Payer Healthcare Systems in the United States.

Background: It remains unclear what factors significantly drive racial disparity in cancer survival in the United States (US). We compared adjusted mortality outcomes in cancer patients from different racial and ethnic groups on a population level in the US and a single-payer healthcare system.

Patients And Methods: We selected adult patients with incident solid and hematologic malignancies from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 2011-2020 and Veteran Affairs national healthcare system (VA) 2011-2021.

Immune checkpoint gene VSIR predicts patient prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Background: Immune checkpoint proteins play critical functions during the immune response to cancer and have been targeted by immune checkpoint blockade therapy. V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VSIR) is one of these immune checkpoint genes and has been investigated extensively in recent years due to its conflicting roles in cancer immunity. Specifically, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the prognostic value of VSIR is debated.

Esophageal necrosis and obstruction after esophageal variceal banding.

A 78-year-old woman with a history of liver cirrhosis related to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis presented to the hospital with abdominal pain and distention. She was diagnosed with abdominal ascites and underwent paracentesis without evidence of infection. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy identified Grade 2 esophageal varices that were treated with band ligature.

A B-Raf V600E gene signature for melanoma predicts prognosis and reveals sensitivity to targeted therapies.

Background: B-Raf V600E mutations account for about half of all skin cutaneous melanoma cases, and patients with this mutation are sensitive to BRAF inhibitors. However, aberrations in other genes in the MAPK/ERK pathway may cascade a similar effect as B-Raf V600E mutations, rendering those patients sensitive to BRAF inhibitors. We rationalized that defining a signature based on B-Raf pathway activity may be more informative for prognosis and drug sensitivity prediction than a binary indicator such as mutation status.

Chr20q Amplification Defines a Distinct Molecular Subtype of Microsatellite Stable Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. About 15% of colorectal cancers are associated with microsatellite instability (MSI) due to loss of function in the DNA mismatch repair pathway. This subgroup of patients has better survival rates and is more sensitive to immunotherapy.

Factors affecting lead release in sodium silicate-treated partial lead service line replacements.

Water quality parameters affecting sodium silicate performance in partial lead service line replacements were examined using a fractional factorial experimental design and static pipe systems. An external copper wire was used to create a galvanic connection between a former lead service line and a new copper pipe. The pipe systems were filled with lab prepared water made to mimic real water quality.