Metabolomics in the study of retinal health and disease.

Metabolomics is the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the metabolites (small molecules < 1.5 kDa) in body fluids. The metabolites are the downstream of the genetic transcription and translation processes and also downstream of the interactions with environmental exposures; thus, they are thought to closely relate to the phenotype, especially for multifactorial diseases.

Next-generation sequencing reveals two populations of damage-induced small RNAs at endogenous DNA double-strand breaks.

Recent studies suggest that transcription takes place at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), that transcripts at DSBs are processed by Drosha and Dicer into damage-induced small RNAs (diRNAs), and that diRNAs are required for DNA repair. However, diRNAs have been mostly detected in reporter constructs or repetitive sequences, and their existence at endogenous loci has been questioned by recent reports. Using the homing endonuclease I-PpoI, we have investigated diRNA production in genetically unperturbed human and mouse cells.

Age-specific breast cancer risk by body mass index and familial risk: prospective family study cohort (ProF-SC).

Background: The association between body mass index (BMI) and risk of breast cancer depends on time of life, but it is unknown whether this association depends on a woman's familial risk.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of a cohort enriched for familial risk consisting of 16,035 women from 6701 families in the Breast Cancer Family Registry and the Kathleen Cunningham Foundation Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer followed for up to 20 years (mean 10.5 years).

Long-term efficacy, tolerability and overall survival in patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent high-grade serous ovarian cancer treated with maintenance olaparib capsules following response to chemotherapy.

Background: In Study 19, maintenance monotherapy with olaparib significantly prolonged progression-free survival vs placebo in patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Methods: Study 19 was a randomised, placebo-controlled, Phase II trial enrolling 265 patients who had received at least two platinum-based chemotherapy regimens and were in complete or partial response to their most recent regimen. Patients were randomised to olaparib (capsules; 400 mg bid) or placebo.

Control of hepatic gluconeogenesis by Argonaute2.

Objective: The liver performs a central role in regulating energy homeostasis by increasing glucose output during fasting. Recent studies on Argonaute2 (Ago2), a key RNA-binding protein mediating the microRNA pathway, have illustrated its role in adaptive mechanisms according to changes in metabolic demand. Here we sought to characterize the functional role of Ago2 in the liver in the maintenance of systemic glucose homeostasis.

Maintenance Olaparib in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Advanced Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Most women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer have a relapse within 3 years after standard treatment with surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. The benefit of the oral poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib in relapsed disease has been well established, but the benefit of olaparib as maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed disease is uncertain.

Methods: We conducted an international, randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy of olaparib as maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III or IV) high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, or fallopian-tube cancer (or a combination thereof) with a mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2, or both ( BRCA1/2) who had a complete or partial clinical response after platinum-based chemotherapy.

Meta-analysis of the alliance-outcome relation in couple and family therapy.

This article reviews meta-analytic evidence for the alliance-outcome relation in couple and family therapy (CFT), with implications for clinical practice. We begin by describing the unique features of CFT alliances and their measurement, followed by two case descriptions. We explain that due to the systemic context of CFT, each patient's personal alliance with the therapist affects and is affected by other family members' levels of collaboration.

Cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum.

The Gynecologic Oncology Committee of FIGO in 2014 revised the staging of ovarian cancer, incorporating ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer into the same system. Most of these malignancies are high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSC). Stage IC is now divided into three categories: IC1 (surgical spill); IC2 (capsule ruptured before surgery or tumor on ovarian or fallopian tube surface); and IC3 (malignant cells in the ascites or peritoneal washings).

Effect of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor on Retinal Neurodegeneration in Patients with Macular Telangiectasia Type 2: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To test the effects of an encapsulated cell-based delivery of a neuroprotective agent, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), on progression of macular telangiectasia type 2, a neurodegenerative disease with no proven effective therapy.

Design: Randomized sham-controlled clinical trial.

Participants: Ninety-nine study eyes of 67 eligible participants were enrolled.

Correction: Antibody targeting TSPAN12/β-catenin signaling in vasoproliferative retinopathy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23401.

microRNA-205-5p is a modulator of insulin sensitivity that inhibits FOXO function.

Objectives: Hepatic insulin resistance is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Insulin receptor signaling through AKT and FOXO has important metabolic effects that have traditionally been ascribed to regulation of gene expression. However, whether all the metabolic effects of FOXO arise from its regulation of protein-encoding mRNAs is unknown.

Does adjuvant chemotherapy dose modification have an impact on the outcome of patients diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer? An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between chemotherapy dose modification (dose adjustment or treatment delay), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for women with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) and primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) who receive carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Methods: Women with stages III and IV EOC and PPC treated on the Gynecologic Oncology Group phase III trial, protocol 182, who completed eight cycles of carboplatin with paclitaxel were evaluated in this study. The patients were grouped per dose modification and use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).

PURL: Time to switch to nonsterile gloves for these procedures?

Are sterile gloves worth the extra cost for common cutaneous surgeries? This systematic review and meta-analysis provides answers.

Progression-free survival as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival in modern ovarian cancer trials: a meta-analysis.

Background: Progression-free survival (PFS) has been adopted as the primary endpoint in many randomized controlled trials, and can be determined much earlier than overall survival (OS). We investigated whether PFS is a good surrogate endpoint for OS in trials of first-line treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and whether this relationship has changed with the introduction of new treatment types.

Methods: In a meta-analysis, we identified summary data [hazard ratio (HR) and median time] from published randomized controlled trials.

Toward a nuanced understanding of nondisclosure in psychotherapy supervision.

Previous research indicates that trainees often withhold important information related to their clients' progress and their reactions to supervision. Moreover, factors associated with the occurrence of supervisee nondisclosure (SND) are not well established. As one of the few studies to compare clinically related with supervision-related nondisclosure, we tested the relation of these two dimensions of the construct, as measured by Siembor and Ellis's (2012) Supervisee Nondisclosure Scales, to three important process variables: perceptions of (a) the supervisory alliance, as measured by Bahrick's (1989) Working Alliance Inventory-Trainee; (b) collaborative supervision, as measured by Rousmaniere and Ellis's (2013) Collaborative Supervision Behavior Scale; and (c) explicitly relational supervisor behaviors, as measured by Shaffer and Friedlander's (2017) Relational Behavior Scale.

Illustrating novel techniques for analyzing single-case experiments: Effects of pre-session mindfulness practice.

In this article we describe and illustrate various visual and nonparametric techniques that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in single-case experiments. Using an alternating treatments design across 2 cases, we tested whether practicing mindfulness would help a novice therapist stay focused and respond to a client more empathically and genuinely. Specifically, after taking a brief workshop on mindfulness, one male and one female doctoral trainee were asked, immediately before beginning each of 10 sessions, either to engage in a guided mindfulness practice for three minutes or a control activity of their choice.

Does the primary site really matter? Profiling mucinous ovarian cancers of uncertain primary origin (MO-CUP) to personalise treatment and inform the design of clinical trials.

Objective: Advanced stage mucinous ovarian cancers are diagnostically and therapeutically challenging. Histotype specific trials have failed due to low recruitment after excluding non-ovarian primaries. Mucinous ovarian cancers are commonly metastatic from other sites however lack definitive diagnostic markers.

A practical guide to understanding, using and including patient reported outcomes in clinical trials in ovarian cancer.

Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is a key priority for patients with ovarian cancer as there is significant morbidity associated with the disease and the treatment. It is therefore essential to include measures of HRQOL and patient reported outcomes (PROs) in all clinical trials and ideally report them in the initial manuscript. The results of these analyses help interpret the primary trial endpoints which are typically progression free survival and overall survival from the perspective of the patients, but can also assist with regulatory approval of new drugs and inform future patients regarding the potential benefits and downsides of the treatment as well as help support clinical recommendations.

Voices from the Field: Supporting the Educational Needs of Cytotechnologists.

Introduction: Sustaining a well-trained, competitive, and marketable cytotechnology workforce is a major goal of the American Society of Cytopathology/American Society for Clinical Pathology Workgroup Focusing on Emerging Roles in Cytopathology (ASC/ASCP Workgroup). This article describes the data collection initiatives performed by the Workgroup to confirm cytotechnologist (CT) perceived educational needs to keep pace with emerging practice changes in the workplace. In response to data collected, the Workgroup created Advanced Cytopathology Education (ACE)da unique, innovative educational resource designed to fulfill this need.

Perspectives on Expanded Scope of Practice in Cytotechnology.

Introduction: In an effort to identify professional trends while offering meaningful resources to support decision making in the cytopathology community, the ASC/ASCP Workgroup: Focusing on Emerging Roles in Cytopathology conducted several data collection activities to assess the current state and professional trends of cytotechnologist (CT) practice. This information is intended to inform evidence- based development of education and workforce model(s).

Materials And Methods: Research was conducted through mixed-method data collection processes.

Coping strategies, trajectories, and their associations with patient-reported outcomes among women with ovarian cancer.

Objective: Most women with ovarian cancer present with advanced stage disease and face aggressive treatments, recurrence, and possible death, yet little is known about how they cope. Our objective was to identify coping strategies used by women with ovarian cancer and their trajectories of use after diagnosis and to assess if coping trajectories are associated with subsequent anxiety, depression, or quality of life.

Methods: Women with ovarian cancer completed questionnaires including the Brief-COPE, HADS, and FACT at 3, 6, and 9 months after diagnosis and the HADS and FACT at 12 months.