Tenascin-C potentiates Wnt signaling in thyroid cancer.

Tenascin-C (TNC) is a secreted extracellular matrix protein that is highly expressed during embryonic development and re-expressed during wound healing, inflammation, and neoplasia. Studies in developmental models suggest that TNC may regulate the Wnt signaling pathway. Our lab has shown high levels of Wnt signaling and TNC expression in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), a highly lethal cancer with an abysmal ~3-5 month median survival.

Nanowood: A Unique Natural Nanomaterial That Can Be Obtained Using Household Chemicals.

At the nanometer scale, electrolyte solutions behave differently compared to their bulk counterparts. This phenomenon forms the basis for the field of nanofluidics, which is dedicated to studying the transport of fluids within and around objects with dimensions of less than 100 nm. Despite the increasing importance of nanofluidics for a wide range of chemical and biochemical applications, the ability to study this field in undergraduate laboratories remains limited due to challenges associated with producing suitable nanoscale objects.

Understanding the interests of academics from diverse disciplines to identify the prospective focus for a UK-based transdisciplinary network involving farm-to-fork stakeholders on antimicrobial resistance in agrifood systems: An online survey.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) evolution and onward transmission of resistance genes is impacted by interrelated biological and social drivers, with evidence and impacts observed across human, animal and environmental One Health domains. Systems-based research examining how food production impacts on AMR in complex agrifood systems is lacking, with little written on management approaches in the UK that might prevent and respond to this challenge. One approach is the creation of a transdisciplinary network to enhance capacity, capability and collaboration between agrifood-focused disciplines and stakeholders.

Improving Access to Patient-Focused, Decentralized Clinical Trials Requires Streamlined Regulatory Requirements: An ASCO Research Statement.

Strategies to bring clinical trials closer to patients gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling more participants to receive treatment and/or testing in their local communities. Incorporation of decentralized trial elements presents both opportunities and challenges, spanning regulatory, technical, and operational aspects. This ASCO research statement includes timely consensus-driven recommendations and a call for engagement of all research stakeholders.

Multidisciplinary approach in resection of stage IIIA lung cancer with severe aortic stenosis: A case report.

Thoracic surgery in the context of complex multimorbidity and clinical deterioration presents a unique set of challenges when balancing risk and benefit. Advances in anaesthesia, surgical technique, and imaging, have allowed for operative options for patients that were once deemed too high-risk. An effective proactive multi-disciplinary approach is essential for successful outcomes.

Lymph node dissection in lung cancer surgery: a comparison between robot-assisted vs. video-assisted thoracoscopic approach.

Background: TNM staging is the most important prognosticator for non-small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Staging has significant implications for the treatment modality for these patients. Lymph node dissection in robot-assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) surgery remains an area of ongoing evaluation.

An in vitro CRISPR screen of cell-free DNA identifies apoptosis as the primary mediator of cell-free DNA release.

Clinical circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing is now routine, however test accuracy remains limited. By understanding the life-cycle of cfDNA, we might identify opportunities to increase test performance. Here, we profile cfDNA release across a 24-cell line panel and utilize a cell-free CRISPR screen (cfCRISPR) to identify mediators of cfDNA release.

Multilayer WS for low-power visible and near-infrared phototransistors.

Mechanically exfoliated multilayer WS flakes are used as the channel of field effect transistors for low-power photodetection in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The electrical characterization as a function of the temperature reveals devices with n-type conduction and slightly different Schottky barriers at the drain and source contacts. The WS phototransistors can be operated in self-powered mode, yielding both a current and a voltage when exposed to light.

Development and Optimization of a Subtraction-Normalized Immunocyte Profiling Signature for Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance Risk Stratification.

Purpose: Less invasive decision support tools are desperately needed to identify occult high-risk disease in men with prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance (AS). For a variety of reasons, many men on AS with low- or intermediate-risk disease forgo the necessary repeat surveillance biopsies needed to identify potentially higher-risk PCa. Here, we describe the development of a blood-based immunocyte transcriptomic signature to identify men harboring occult aggressive PCa.

Defective ZrSe: a promising candidate for spintronics applications.

The current study presents the electronic and magnetic properties of monolayer ZrSenanoribbons. The impact of various point defects in the form of Zr or Se vacancies, and their combinations, on the nanoribbon electronic and magnetic properties are investigated using density functional theory calculations in hydrogen-terminated zigzag and armchair ZrSenanoribbons. Although pristine ZrSeis non-magnetic, all the defective ZrSestructures exhibit ferromagnetic behavior.

Activation of Dendritic Cells Isolated from the Blood of Patients with Prostate Cancer by Ex Vivo Fluid Shear Stress Stimulation.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the United States and a leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer include hormone therapies, chemotherapies, radioligand therapies, and immunotherapies. Provenge (sipuleucel-T) is an autologous cancer-vaccine-based immunotherapy approved for men with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Metastatic Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma Responsive to Enfortumab Vedotin.

Penile squamous cell carcinoma is a rare disease with very limited data to guide treatment decisions. In particular, there is minimal evidence for effective therapies in the metastatic setting. Here, we present a case of metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma with response to the Nectin-4 inhibitor enfortumab-vedotin-ejfv (EV).

Provider motivations and barriers to cancer clinical trial screening, referral, and operations: Findings from a survey.

Background: Provider and institutional practices have been shown to have a large impact on cancer clinical trial enrollment. Understanding provider perspectives on screening for trial eligibility is necessary to improve enrollment.

Methods: A questionnaire about incentives, barriers, process tools, and infrastructure related to opening trials and referring patients to onsite and offsite trials was administered to diverse stakeholders, including professional societies, advocacy organizations, and industry networks.

Characterization of HOXB13 expression patterns in localized and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

HOXB13 is a key lineage homeobox transcription factor that plays a critical role in the differentiation of the prostate gland. Several studies have suggested that HOXB13 alterations may be involved in prostate cancer development and progression. Despite its potential biological relevance, little is known about the expression of HOXB13 across the disease spectrum of prostate cancer.

Quality rectal hydrogel placement allows for gel-enabled dose-escalated EBRT (GEDE-EBRT) without rectal interference in prostate cancer.

Multiple trials have shown that dose-escalation of radiation for prostate cancer provides a biochemical progression-free survival benefit (bPFS); however, rectal constraints are often limiting. In this dosimetric study, we hypothesized that a well-placed rectal hydrogel (RH) would permit improved dose-escalation and target coverage. We selected patients with good-quality RH and created plans with and without RH, prescribing 70 Gy in 28 fractions to the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles (PSV), and a peripheral zone (PZ) boost to 84 Gy, 98 Gy, or 112 Gy.

A Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and SPECT-CT Imaging in Complex Spine Pathology: Does SPECT-CT Provide Additional Diagnostic Information Over Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is often regarded as the gold standard for spinal pathology, as it provides good structural visualisation. SPECT-CT, however, provides combined structural and functional information.

Implication of the Gut Microbiome and Microbial-Derived Metabolites in Immune-Related Adverse Events: Emergence of Novel Biomarkers for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed how we think about tumor management. Combinations of anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) immunotherapy have become the standard of care in many advanced-stage cancers, including as a first-line therapy. Aside from improved anti-tumor immunity, the mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exposes a new toxicity profile known as immune-related adverse effects (irAEs).

An Assessment of the Feasibility and Utility of an ACCC-ASCO Implicit Bias Training Program to Enhance Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials.

Purpose: Cancer trial participants do not reflect the racial and ethnic diversity in the population of people with cancer in the United States. As a result of multiple system-, patient-, and provider-level factors, including implicit bias, cancer clinical trials are not consistently offered to all potentially eligible patients.

Materials And Methods: ASCO and ACCC evaluated the utility (pre- and post-test knowledge changes) and feasibility (completion rates, curriculum satisfaction metrics, survey questions, and interviews) of a customized online training program combined with facilitated peer-to-peer discussion designed to help research teams identify their own implicit biases and develop strategies to mitigate them.

Increasing Racial and Ethnic Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Cancer Treatment Trials: Evaluation of an ASCO-Association of Community Cancer Centers Site Self-Assessment.

Clinical trial participants do not reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of people with cancer. ASCO and the Association of Community Cancer Centers collaborated on a quality improvement study to enhance racial and ethnic equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in cancer clinical trials. The groups conducted a pilot study to examine the feasibility, utility, and face validity of a two-part clinical trial site self-assessment to enable diverse types of research sites in the United States to (1) review internal data to assess racial and ethnic disparities in screening and enrollment and (2) review their policies, programs, procedures to identify opportunities and strategies to improve EDI.