Associations of health beliefs and worry with COVID-19 protective behaviors among lung cancer patients.

Although cognitions have predicted COVID-19 protective behaviors in cancer populations, theory suggests that emotions may be more predictive of these behaviors. This study examined Health Belief Model (HBM) variables as correlates of COVID-19 protective behaviors in lung cancer patients and whether worry about COVID-19 was associated with these behaviors beyond the effects of HBM variables. From 2021 to 2022, 191 patients (62.

Association of Immune-Related Adverse Events With Efficacy in Consolidation Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab or Nivolumab Alone After Chemoradiation in Patients With Unresectable Stage III Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer: An Exploratory Analysis From the Big 10 Cancer Research Consortium Study BTCRC LUN 16-081.

Background: Immunotherapy has been widely incorporated into the treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Many of these patients will experience immune-related adverse events (irAEs) without decreased efficacy. We report a retrospective analysis of the association between irAEs and efficacy outcomes from the BTCRC LUN 16-081 randomized phase 2 trial of consolidation nivolumab (N) plus ipilimumab (IPI) vs N alone following chemoradiotherapy in unresectable Stage IIIA/IIIB NSCLC.

Impact of Disease Etiology and Indication for Colectomy on Postoperative Outcomes: A NSQIP Colectomy-Targeted Database Study.

Background: The ACS-NSQIP Colectomy-Targeted database provides valuable metrics on surgical outcomes by utilizing clinical data to enhance quality improvement efforts. However, the quality measures offered in the ACS-NSQIP semiannual report do not stratify for the indication for colectomy. We aim to compare postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colectomy for colon cancer, infectious causes, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Correlates of Perceived Illness Severity and Terminality in Advanced Lung and Prostate Cancer.

Context: While prognostic awareness has been commonly assessed as perceived illness terminality in patients with advanced cancer, both perceptions of illness severity and terminality may be correlated with symptom burden and quality of life.

Objectives: The present study examined physical and psychological symptoms, quality of life, and smoking status in relation to perceived illness severity and terminality in patients with advanced, inoperable lung and prostate cancer.

Methods: Patients (N=198) were recruited from hospitals in the midwestern U.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delays and disruptions in cancer care services: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic substantially impacted the delivery of cancer services and programs. Here we reviewed and synthesized the global scale and impact of pandemic-related delays and disruptions on cancer services, including diagnosis, diagnostic procedures, screening, treatment and supportive and palliative care. Based on data from 245 articles in 46 countries, we observed declines in the number of cancer screening participation (39.

Interpretation and classification of FBN1 variants associated with Marfan syndrome: consensus recommendations from the Clinical Genome Resource's FBN1 variant curation expert panel.

Background: In 2015, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) developed standardized variant curation guidelines for Mendelian disorders. Although these guidelines have been widely adopted, they are not gene- or disease-specific. To mitigate classification discrepancies, the Clinical Genome Resource FBN1 variant curation expert panel (VCEP) was established in 2018 to develop adaptations to the ACMG/AMP criteria for FBN1 in association with Marfan syndrome.

Defining the needle in a haystack: A compendium of genomic, pathologic, and clinical characteristics of rare pulmonary tumors.

A major paradigm shift in the diagnosis, management, and survival outcomes of early and advanced non-small cell lung cancer has transpired over the past few decades in thoracic oncology with the incorporation of molecular testing, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant approaches. However, transformation in the management and survival outcomes of rare lung tumors is lacking. Given the scarcity of these tumor types, randomized trials are rarely performed, and treatment is extrapolated from case series, tumor-agnostic trials, or cancers with similar histology.

Radiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer: An ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline Focused Update.

Purpose: With the results of several recently published clinical trials, this guideline focused update provides evidence-based recommendations for the indications and dose-fractionation regimens for neoadjuvant radiation therapy (RT), optimal sequencing of RT and systemic therapy in the context of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), and considerations for selective omission of RT and surgery for rectal cancer.

Methods: The American Society for Radiation Oncology convened a multidisciplinary task force to update 3 key questions that focused on the role of RT for patients with operable rectal cancer. The key questions addressed (1) indications for neoadjuvant RT, (2) selection of neoadjuvant regimens, and (3) indications for consideration of a nonoperative management (NOM) or local excision approach after definitive/preoperative chemoradiation.

De Novo Balanced Translocations Disrupting the FBN1 Gene Diagnosed by Genome Sequencing: An Uncommon Cause of Marfan Syndrome Modifying Genetic Counseling.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a well-characterized rare genetic connective tissue disorder. The features of MFS are primarily skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular and are mainly caused by single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the FBN1 gene (MIM#134797) located on chromosome 15q21.1.

Evaluation of Radiation Pneumonitis in a Phase 2 Study of Consolidation Immunotherapy With Nivolumab and Ipilimumab or Nivolumab Alone Following Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy for Unresectable Stage IIIA/IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: The addition of immunotherapy (IO) after concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) for unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become common practice in eligible patients. Approaches to further improve outcomes and reduce treatment-related toxicity for these patients are needed. This study evaluates the risk of radiation pneumonitis after CCRT and its correlation with the radiation dose distribution, IO regimen (nivolumab vs nivolumab plus ipilimumab), and patient demographics across BTCRC-LUN16-081.

Measurement of Patients' Acceptable Symptom Levels and Priorities for Symptom Improvement in Advanced Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: Limited research has evaluated the success criteria and priorities for symptom improvement of patients with cancer to inform patient-centered care. In this study, we adapted and tested a measure of these constructs, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Questionnaire (PCOQ), for patients with advanced prostate cancer. We compared acceptable symptom severity levels following symptom treatment across 10 symptoms and identified patient subgroups based on symptom importance.

Discovery of anti-infective compounds against after biotransformation of simple natural stilbenes by a fungal secretome.

Introduction: (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, remains a serious threat to human health worldwide and the quest for new anti-tubercular drugs is an enduring and demanding journey. Natural products (NPs) have played a significant role in advancing drug therapy of infectious diseases.

Methods: This study evaluated the suitability of a high-throughput infection system composed of the host amoeba (Dd) and (Mm), a close relative of Mtb, to identify anti-infective compounds.

Decoding the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of microbiota using pan-body pan-disease microbiomics.

The human microbiome emerges as a promising reservoir for diagnostic markers and therapeutics. Since host-associated microbiomes at various body sites differ and diseases do not occur in isolation, a comprehensive analysis strategy highlighting the full potential of microbiomes should include diverse specimen types and various diseases. To ensure robust data quality and comparability across specimen types and diseases, we employ standardized protocols to generate sequencing data from 1931 prospectively collected specimens, including from saliva, plaque, skin, throat, eye, and stool, with an average sequencing depth of 5.

Phase I/II trial of plinabulin in combination with nivolumab and ipilimumab in patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Big ten cancer research consortium (BTCRC-LUN17-127) study.

Background: Plinabulin is a GEF-H1 releasing agent with an immune-enhancing function. We report results from a multicenter Phase I/II study (NCT03575793) assessing plinabulin in combination with nivolumab and ipilimumab for the treatment of recurrent SCLC.

Methods: In Phase I, patients were enrolled using a 3 + 3 design to determine dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D).

Two-year follow-up of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients with symptomatic severe bicuspid aortic valve stenosis.

Background: In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for low-risk patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid aortic stenosis. However, bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients were included only in single-arm registries of pivotal low-risk TAVR trials, resulting in limited data for this subgroup.

Methods: The LRT (Low Risk TAVR) trial was an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicenter study and the first FDA-approved investigational device exemption trial to evaluate the feasibility of TAVR with balloon-expandable or self-expanding valves in low-risk patients with symptomatic severe BAV stenosis.

SAGES guidelines for the surgical treatment of hiatal hernias.

Background: Hiatal hernia (HH) is a common condition. A multidisciplinary expert panel was convened to develop evidence-based recommendations to support clinicians, patients, and others in decisions regarding the treatment of HH.

Methods: Systematic reviews were conducted for four key questions regarding the treatment of HH in adults: surgical treatment of asymptomatic HH versus surveillance; use of mesh versus no mesh; performing a fundoplication versus no fundoplication; and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) versus redo fundoplication for recurrent HH.

Early blood glucose screening in asymptomatic high-risk neonates.

Objectives: Detecting and treating severe hypoglycemia promptly after birth is crucial due to its association with adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, limited data are available on the optimal timing of glucose screening in asymptomatic high-risk neonates prone to hypoglycemia. Risk factors associated with asymptomatic high-risk neonates include late prematurity ≥35 and <37 weeks gestation (LPT), small-for-gestational-age (SGA), large-for-gestational-age (LGA), and infant-of-a-diabetic mother (IDM).

Analysis of Circulating Tumor DNA Predicts Outcomes of Short-Course Consolidation Immunotherapy in Unresectable Stage III NSCLC.

Introduction: The current standard of care for patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer includes chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by 1 year of checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy. Nevertheless, the optimal duration of consolidation CPI remains unknown. Here, we characterized the relationship between circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) minimal residual disease (MRD) and clinical outcomes of patients with unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated on a phase 2 trial of short-course consolidation immunotherapy after CRT, with the goal of testing whether ctDNA may be able to identify patients who do not require a full year of treatment.

From Warm to Cold: Feeding Cold Milk in Preterm Infants with Uncoordinated Oral Feeding Patterns.

Objective: Premature infants frequently face feeding challenges due to disrupted coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing, increasing their risk of dysphagia. There are few effective treatment options available for these infants. In adults experiencing dysphagia, consuming cold foods or liquids can be an effective strategy.