Impact of alternating electric fields therapy for newly diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma on patient survival: a real-world propensity-score adjusted prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: Alternating electric fields (AEF) therapy in addition to temozolomide chemoradiotherapy (TMZ CRT) is increasingly being recommended as first-line treatment for patients with newly-diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma. However, few have validated this treatment with real-world evidence.

Methods: Consecutive adult patients with newly-diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma treated with adjuvant TMZ CRT across all neuro-oncology centers in Hong Kong were reviewed.

Navigating Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Immunocompromised Populations: Evolving Risk Factors, Treatment, and Outcomes.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately impacted immunocompromised hosts, leading to higher morbidity and mortality. The clinical outcomes have varied based on the degree of immunosuppression, treatment availability, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants, and vaccination status. This review discusses the evolving epidemiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and prevention strategies for COVID-19 in immunocompromised populations, including patients living with human immunodeficiency virus, solid organ transplant, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Low Knowledge, Awareness, and Availability of Sexual Health Services: An Assessment of a Diverse North Dallas Community.

Background: STI and HIV rates have been growing nationwide without adequate resources for treatment and prevention. Barriers to access need to be identified and rectified in order to reach affected populations.

Methods: An exploratory community assessment using a purposive sample in an underserved community in Dallas, TX was conducted to gain insight into perceptions of existing access, barriers, and cultural norms in addition to preferences for sexual health services in the area (n = 100).

Predicting disease progression from the rate of bodyweight change in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient during radiotherapy.

Bodyweight loss is a common occurrence in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) patients during Radiotherapy (RT). Previous studies found that the prognostic value of percentage weight loss (pWL) during RT is not credible. We aimed to develop a novel progression predictor surrogated to pWL by modelling all bodyweight records measured during the treatment interval.

Racial Disparities in Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Treatment.

Background And Aims: To identify demographic predictors, with a focus on race and socioeconomic status, for advanced treatment modality, mortality, and increased length of stay (LOS) in upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage treatment.

Methods: Hospitalizations with acute upper GI hemorrhage from 2016 to 2021 were identified in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample. Cases were divided into interventional radiology (IR) and non-IR (endoscopic) treatments.