The 5-factor modified frailty index as a prognostic factor following stereotactic radiosurgery for metastatic disease to the brain from non-small cell lung cancer: A multi-center cohort analysis.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients often develop brain metastases (BMs), complicating management. We have shown that increasing frailty is associated with decreased overall survival (OS) and central nervous system progression free survival (PFS) for patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to BMs. Leveraging the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation, we sought to expand upon these findings, in NSCLC specifically.

Design of a pragmatic trial integrating human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling into primary care to reduce cervical cancer screening disparities in Somali American individuals: The Isbaar project.

Background: Somali American individuals have lower cervical cancer screening rates than the U.S. general population.

Implemention of Innovative Process Analytical Technologies to Characterize Critical Quality Attributes of Co-Formulated Monoclonal Antibody Products.

Characterizing co-formulated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) poses significant challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. Due to the high structural similarity of the mAbs, traditional analytical methods, compounded by the lengthy method development process, hinder product development and manufacturing efficiency. There is increasing critical need in the pharmaceutical industry to streamline analytical approaches, minimizing time and resources, ensuring a rapid clinical entry and cost-effective manufacturing.

Improving the Lives of People with Sickle Cell Disease: Community Organizations and Epidemiologists Working Together.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Sickle Cell Data Collection (SCDC) program comprises multidisciplinary teams, which include community-based organizations. Partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs) is a novel approach to ensure that SCDC data are actionable.

Objective: To better understand areas for mutual capacity building, we explored the relationships and dynamics between CBO and data teams within the SCDC program in 10 states.

National trends in the treatment of adult diffuse midline gliomas: a rare clinical scenario.

Purpose: Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) include all midline gliomas with a point mutation to the histone H3 gene resulting in the substitution of a lysine with a methionine (K27M). These tumors are classified as World Health Organization grade 4 with a mean survival between 9- and 19-months following diagnosis. There is currently no standard of care for DMG, and palliative radiation therapy has been proven to only extend survival by months.

Birth Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease and County-Level Social Vulnerability - Sickle Cell Data Collection Program, 11 States, 2016-2020.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a public health priority in the United States because of its association with complex health needs, reduced life expectancy, lifelong disabilities, and high cost of care. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted to calculate the crude and race-specific birth prevalence for SCD using state newborn screening program records during 2016-2020 from 11 Sickle Cell Data Collection program states. The percentage distribution of birth mother residence within Social Vulnerability Index quartiles was derived.

Clearance for Driving in Genetic Generalized Epilepsy.

A key aspect of management of genetic generalized epilepsy involves assessing seizure control and deciding suitability for driving motor vehicles. We surveyed child neurologists and pediatric epileptologists on key questions that practitioners should ask prior to providing clearance for driving. The results showed a wide variability of practice among responders.

Course of COVID-19 infection in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Context: Patients with primary adrenal insufficiency due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are at risk for adrenal crisis during infectious illnesses. Increased risk of infection including COVID-19 has been variably reported.

Objective: To evaluate COVID-19 illness outcomes and stress dose practices in a large cohort of patients with CAH during the first two years of the pandemic and compare observations of COVID-19 infection in patients with CAH to the general USA population.

Pioneering Just-in-Time (JIT) Strategy for Accelerating Raman Method Development and Implementation for Biologic Continuous Manufacturing.

Raman spectroscopy is a popular process analytical technology (PAT) tool that has been increasingly used to monitor and control the monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing process. Although it allows the characterization of a variety of quality attributes by developing chemometric models, a large quantity of representative data is required, and hence, the model development process can be time-consuming. In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has been expediting new drug development in order to achieve faster delivery of life-changing drugs to patients.

Integrating HPV self-collect into primary care to address cervical cancer screening disparities.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-collect shows promise to increase cervical cancer screening rates in underscreened populations, such as Somali patients, but little is known about how to integrate such an approach in primary care. In this study, primary care providers and staff who provide primary care services to Somali women were asked for their views on integrating HPV self-collect into routine care to address cervical cancer screening disparities. Thirty primary care providers and staff participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their views on HPV self-collect and their anticipated needs or barriers to implementing this approach into the clinic generally and with specific patient populations, such as Somali women.

Sexual dimorphism in anxiety is programmed in-utero by sex-steroids: Proof of concept using a disease-model and stress responses to COVID pandemic.

Sex differences in the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have been consistently reported, showing disproportionally high rates of anxiety/distress in women relative to men. The mechanisms underlying this sexual dimorphism remain unclear. The present study queries the potential protective role of early hyperandrogenism on brain development.

Neurotoxicity of 4-nonylphenol in adult zebrafish: Evaluation of behaviour, oxidative stress parameters and histopathology of brain.

Nonylphenol and its derivatives use as plasticizer or additives in manufacturing industries. Effluents originated from industrial areas are being added to soil, ground water, river and marine water intentionally or unintentionally. Complex mixture of these contaminants enter the food chain and produce sub-lethal deleterious effects mainly on nervous and reproductive systems of aquatic animals and human beings.

The fungal intestinal microbiota predict the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birthweight newborns.

Rationale: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common morbidity affecting very preterm infants. Gut fungal and bacterial microbial communities contribute to multiple lung diseases and may influence BPD pathogenesis.

Methods: We performed a prospective, observational cohort study comparing the multikingdom fecal microbiota of 144 preterm infants with or without moderate to severe BPD by sequencing the bacterial 16S and fungal ITS2 ribosomal RNA gene.

Evaluating Human Papillomavirus eHealth in Hmong Adolescents to Promote Vaccinations: Pilot Feasibility Study.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection, causing multiple cancers, including cervical, penile, and anal. Infection and subsequent health risks caused by HPV can be diminished by HPV vaccination. Unfortunately, vaccination rates among Hmong Americans are substantially lower than those among other racial and ethnic groups, despite having higher cervical cancer rates than non-Hispanic White women.

Overcoming barriers to the management of seizure clusters: ease of use and time to administration of rescue medications.

Introduction: Patients with epilepsy can experience seizure clusters (acute repetitive seizures), defined as intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity that are distinct from typical seizure patterns. There are three FDA-approved rescue medications, diazepam rectal gel, midazolam nasal spray, and diazepam nasal spray, that can be administered to abort a seizure cluster in a nonmedical, community setting. Despite their effectiveness and safety, rescue medications are underutilized, and patient/caregiver experiences and perceptions of ease of use may constitute a substantial barrier to greater utilization.

Clinician perceptions of a clinical decision support system to reduce cardiovascular risk among prediabetes patients in a predominantly rural healthcare system.

Background: The early detection and management of uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors among prediabetes patients can prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Prediabetes increases the risk of CVD, which is a leading cause of death in the United States. CVD clinical decision support (CDS) in primary care settings has the potential to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with prediabetes while potentially saving clinicians time.

Efficacy of a Novel LAM Femoral Cutaneous Block Technique for Acute Donor Site Pain.

Patients with severe burn injuries often require split-thickness skin grafting to expedite wound healing with the thigh being a common donor site. Uncontrolled pain is associated with increased opioid consumption, longer lengths of stay, and delay in functional recovery. Peripheral nerve blocks are increasing in popularity although supportive literature is limited, and techniques vary.