Can Sex and Seniority Predict the Quality of a Journal Reviewer's Manuscript Critique?

Purpose: To evaluate reviewers' timeliness and review quality for the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics (IJROBP) by sex and seniority.

Methods And Materials: The IJROBP editorial office provided data on 3962 individuals invited to review manuscripts from 2011 through 2014. We identified 1657 reviewers who had been invited to provide a review on at least 3 occasions during the study period and compared review timeliness and scoring between male and female reviewers.

Lower 24-Month Relative Survival among Black Patients with Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma: An Analysis of the SEER Data 1997-2015.

Background: Recent progress in the therapies used in patients with Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma has improved survival. The incidence has been reported to be decreasing in the last few years, accounting for 4% of all cancers. This study analyzed time trends for incidence, mortality, and prevalence of NHL.

First Analysis of Same-day Pegfilgrastim Use with Concurrent Capecitabine-based Regimens in Patients with Gastrointestinal Malignancies.

Background: Pegfilgrastim is administered 24 hours. after chemotherapy to reduce risks of myelosuppression. This requires an additional clinic visit, which can be difficult for some patients (pts) due to work and transportation issues.

Attenuated regimen of biweekly gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in patients aged 65 years or older with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Background: Treatment with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel confers a survival benefit over gemcitabine monotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). However, such treatment can be associated with significant toxicities especially in older patients and carries practical disadvantages related to a weekly schedule along with financial cost. We retrospectively analyzed patients >65 years of age with APC who received a modified biweekly regimen of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel to evaluate efficacy and toxicity.

Association Between FFR and Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio (iFR) of Intermediate Lesions on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: New data suggests long term outcomes of coronary revascularization based on instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR) are equivalent to invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR). We aimed to evaluate the correlation between non-invasive FFR derived from cardiac CT (FFR) and iFR.

Methods: Data from 21 patients with 26 vessels, who underwent both FFR computation and invasive iFR measurement, were analysed.

Secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in India: Findings from registries and large cohorts.

Several registries and quality improvement initiatives have focused on assessing and improving secondary prevention of CVD in India. While the Treatment and Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndromes in India (CREATE), Indian Heart Rhythm Society-Atrial Fibrillation (IHRS-AF), and Trivandrum Heart Failure (THF) registries are limited to collecting data, the Tamil Nadu-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (TN-STEMI) program was aimed at examining and improving access to revascularization after an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The Acute Coronary Syndromes: Quality Improvement in Kerala (ACS-QUIK) study recruited hospitals from the Kerala ACS registry to assess a quality improvement kit for patients with ACS while the Practice Innovation and Clinical Excellence India Quality Improvement Program (PIQIP) provides valuable data on outpatient CVD quality of care.

Multiple versus fewer antiplatelet agents for preventing early recurrence after ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Antiplatelet agents are considered to be the cornerstone for secondary prevention of stroke, but the role of using multiple antiplatelet agents early after stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) to improve outcomes has not been established.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness and safety of initiating, within 72 hours after an ischaemic stroke or TIA, multiple antiplatelet agents versus fewer antiplatelet agents to prevent stroke recurrence.

The Vulnerable Plaque: Recent Advances in Computed Tomography Imaging to Identify the Vulnerable Patient.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to summarize the role of coronary computed tomography plaque analysis in identifying high-risk patients and plaques.

Recent Findings: In this review, we will describe the histopathological features of a vulnerable plaque as well as the coronary computed tomography characteristics including spotty calcification, low-attenuation fatty core, positive remodeling, and thin fibrous cap. We will also review several studies that assessed features of a vulnerable plaque on non-invasive imaging and evaluated them as risk predictors of future acute coronary events.

Hyperpigmentation due to imatinib: A rare case of cutaneous involvement.

Case Report: Imatinib mesylate is a well-known tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, as well as a variety of other malignancies. As use of this medication continues to grow, providers must be aware of potential side effects and management thereof. The toxicity profile of imatinib has been well characterized with most patients experiencing a grade 1 or 2 adverse event.

Association between frequency of primary care provider visits and evidence-based statin prescribing and statin adherence: Findings from the Veterans Affairs system.

Background: Statin use remains suboptimal in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We assessed if the frequency of visits with primary care providers (PCPs) is associated with higher use of evidence-based statin prescriptions and adherence among patients with ASCVD.

Methods: We identified patients with ASCVD aged ≥18 years receiving care in 130 facilities and associated community-based outpatient clinics in the entire Veterans Affairs Health Care System between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014.

Relation Between Cardiology Follow-Up Visits, Evidence-Based Statin Prescribing, and Statin Adherence (from the Veterans Affairs Health Care System).

Statin use remains suboptimal in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We assessed whether outpatient care with a cardiology provider is associated with evidence-based statin prescription and statin adherence. We identified patients with ASCVD aged ≥18 years receiving primary care in 130 facilities and associated community-based outpatient clinics in the entire Veterans Affairs Health Care System between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014.

Coronary Embolism: A Systematic Review.

Background: Coronary embolism is a rare and potentially fatal phenomenon that occurs primarily in patients with valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation. There is a lack of consensus regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and management of coronary embolism, leaving management at the discretion of the treating physician. Through this review, we aim to establish a better understanding of coronary embolism, and to identify treatment options - invasive and non-invasive - that may be used to manage coronary embolism.

Epidemiologic studies targeting primary cardiovascular disease prevention in South Asia.

South Asia has experienced a 73% increase in healthy life years lost due to ischemic heart disease between 1990 and 2010. There is a lack of quality data relating to cardiovascular risk factors and disease from this region. Several observational and prospective cohorts in South Asia have been established in recent times to evaluate the burden of cardiovascular disease and their risk factors.

Optimal positioning of self-expanding valves before deployment decreases paravalvular regurgitation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between measurements performed during Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) deployment and paravalvular leak (PVL).

Background: The MCV can be recaptured and repositioned, allowing the TAVR operator to implant at a more favorable position. The association between angiographic measurements of MCV position while the valve is recapturable and PVL post deployment has not been investigated.

Transcatheter valvular interventions in 2017: some things old, some things new!

Purpose Of Review: Transcatheter valvular interventions have changed the landscape of valvular therapies. We examine some studies on transcatheter valvular interventions published in the year 2017 to better understand their implications on clinical practice and future research.

Recent Findings: Findings from the SURTAVI study suggest TAVR to be a reasonable option in intermediate risk patients with aortic stenosis.

Premature Coronary Heart Disease in South Asians: Burden and Determinants.

Purpose Of Review: While the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is on the decline globally, it is on the rise among South Asians. South Asians are also believed to present early with coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with other ethnicities.

Recent Findings: South Asians have demonstrated a higher burden of premature CAD (PCAD) compared with other ethnicities.

Facility-level variation in diabetes and blood pressure control in patients with diabetes: Findings from the Veterans Affairs national database.

Background: Intensive glycemic and blood pressure (BP) control in diabetic patients is associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that there is suboptimal glycemic and BP control with significant facility-level variation in patients with diabetes.

Methods: We identified patients with diabetes receiving care in 130 facilities in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Early Trifecta valve failure: Report of a cluster of cases from a tertiary care referral center.

Background: The Trifecta valve (St Jude Medical, Inc, St Paul, Minn) was approved for commercial use by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2011. Several isolated cases have been reported since then, describing early structural valve deterioration. We report a case series of 8 Trifecta valve failures, describing patients' clinical substrate and management, and the pathologic characteristics of the explanted valves.

Using Mobile Health (mHealth) Technology in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Physical Inactivity, and Smoking.

Purpose Of Review: Cardiovascular mortality remains high due to insufficient progress made in managing cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity, and smoking. Healthy lifestyle choices play an important role in the management of these modifiable risk factors. Mobile health or mHealth is defined as the use of mobile computing and communication technologies (i.

New-Generation Coronary Stents: Current Data and Future Directions.

Purpose Of Review: Drug-eluting stents are the mainstay in the treatment of coronary artery disease using percutaneous coronary intervention. Innovations developed to overcome the limitations of prior generations of stents include biodegradable polymer stents, drug-eluting stents without a polymer, and bioabsorbable scaffolds. Our review briefly discusses the clinical profiles of first- and second-generation coronary stents, and provides an up-to-date overview of design, technology, and clinical safety and efficacy profiles of newer generation coronary stents discussing the relevant clinical trials in this rapidly evolving area of interventional cardiology.

Mobile Health (mHealth) Technology for the Management of Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia: Slow Start but Loads of Potential.

Purpose Of Review: Hypertension and hyperlipidemia represent two major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Mobile health or mHealth is defined as the use of mobile phone and wireless technologies to support the achievement of health objectives. Management of hypertension, and to some extent hyperlipidemia, has often employed mHealth interventions given lower cost and greater patient engagement compared to traditional methods.

Into the clinic: Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), a first-in-class intratumoral oncolytic viral therapy.

With the recent regulatory approval of Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) for the treatment of advanced of melanoma in the United States, Europe and Australia, oncolytic virus immunotherapy has earned its place in the clinic. However, the adoption of T-VEC by the U.S.

Pulmonary Embolism Presenting as Abdominal Pain: An Atypical Presentation of a Common Diagnosis.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent diagnosis made in the emergency department and can present in many different ways. Abdominal pain is an unusual presenting symptom for PE. It is essential to maintain a high degree of suspicion in these patients, as a delay in diagnosis can be devastating for the patient and confers a high risk of mortality if left untreated.

A randomized controlled behavioral intervention trial to improve medication adherence in adult stroke patients with prescription tailored Short Messaging Service (SMS)-SMS4Stroke study.

Background: The effectiveness of mobile technology to improve medication adherence via customized Short Messaging Service (SMS) reminders for stroke has not been tested in resource poor areas. We designed a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of SMS on improving medication adherence in stroke survivors in Pakistan.

Methods: This was a parallel group, assessor-blinded, randomized, controlled, superiority trial.