Use of a novel claw-suture technique for localization of solitary pulmonary nodules: retrospective study and experience from one center.

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is more effective for diagnosing and treating solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). It is sometimes difficult to localize through use of minimally invasive techniques. We evaluated the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of a novel localization method for SPNs.

Epidemiology of Rounding Error.

This work represents a significant contribution to understanding the importance of appropriately rounding numbers with minimal error. That is, to reduce inexact rounding and data truncation error and simultaneously eliminate unintentional misleading findings in epidemiological studies. The rounding of numbers represents a compromise solution that attempts to find a balance between the loss of information from reporting too few significant digits versus retaining more digits than necessary.

Neutrophil estimation and prognosis analysis based on existing lung squamous cell carcinoma datasets: the development and validation of a prognosis prediction model.

Background: Notwithstanding the rapid developments in precision medicine in recent years, lung cancer still has a low survival rate, especially lung squamous cell cancer (LUSC). The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the progression of lung cancer, in which high neutrophil levels are correlated with poor prognosis, potentially due to their interactions with tumor cells via pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. However, the precise mechanisms of how neutrophils influence lung cancer remain unclear.

Pathogenic mechanisms and etiologic aspects of subspecies as an infectious cause of cutaneous melanoma.

Infectious etiologies have previously been proposed as causes of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. This exploratory overview explains and presents the evidence for the hypothesis that a microorganism excreted in infected ruminant animal feces, subspecies (MAP), is the cause of some cases of cutaneous melanoma (CM). Occupational, residential, and recreational contact with MAP-contaminated feces, soil, sand, and natural bodies of water may confer a higher rate of CM.

Factors influencing surgical choice and anxiety in patients with pulmonary nodules smaller than 8 mm.

Background: The detection of pulmonary nodules significantly impacts the lives and mental health of patients. Although the 2020 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend scheduled surveillance for nodules ≤8 mm, patients often opt to have their nodules surgically removed.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to patients with small pulmonary nodules who presented to a local grade 3 hospital with small pulmonary nodules and decided to receive surgery versus prescribed monitoring.

The Inverse Log-Rank Test: A Versatile Procedure for Late Separating Survival Curves.

Often in the planning phase of a clinical trial, a researcher will need to choose between a standard versus weighted log-rank test (LRT) for investigating right-censored survival data. While a standard LRT is optimal for analyzing evenly distributed but distinct survival events (proportional hazards), an appropriately weighted LRT test may be better suited for handling non-proportional, delayed treatment effects. The "a priori" misspecification of this alternative may result in a substantial loss of power when determining the effectiveness of an experimental drug.

The evidence for subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) as a cause of nonsolar uveal melanoma: a narrative review.

Background And Objective: Animal microorganisms have been proposed as a cause of human cancers associated with farming, agricultural occupation or residence, and related downstream exposures. Several studies have described uveal melanoma (UvM) as a farming-associated cancer. A possible suspect is the animal microorganism subspecies (MAP), the causative agent of paratuberculosis in dairy cows.

Self-management program and Black women with hypertension: Randomized controlled trial substudy.

The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) among Black women in the United States has increased over the past 10 years with a decline in levels of HTN awareness, treatment, and control. Higher death rates occur in Black women from HTN-related diseases when compared with women of other racial/ethnic groups. Although interventions aimed at self-care/self-management are vital to adults becoming the cornerstone of their own health and well-being, there is a paucity of research in Black women.

Immediate impact of coronary artery bypass graft surgery on regional myocardial perfusion: Results from the Collaborative Pilot Study to Determine the Correlation Between Intraoperative Observations Using Spy Near-Infrared Imaging and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Physiological Assessment of Lesion Severity.

Objectives: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is performed using anatomic guidance. Data connecting the physiologic significance of the coronary vessel stenosis to the acute physiologic response to grafting are lacking. The Collaborative Pilot Study to Determine the Correlation Between Intraoperative Observations Using Spy Near-Infrared Imaging and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Physiological Assessment of Lesion Severity study is the first to compare preintervention coronary physiology with the acute regional myocardial perfusion change (RMP-QC) at CABG in a per-graft analysis.

Use of coaching and technology to improve blood pressure control in Black women with hypertension: Pilot randomized controlled trial study.

Hypertension is the main cause of cardiovascular disease, especially in women. Black women (58%) are affected by higher rates of hypertension than other racial/ethnic groups contributing to increased cardio-metabolic disorders. To decrease blood pressure (BP) in this population, a pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effects of Interactive Technology Enhanced Coaching (ITEC) versus Interactive Technology (IT) alone in achieving BP control, adherence to antihypertensive medication, and adherence to lifestyle modifications among Black women diagnosed with and receiving medication for their hypertension.

Dermatological Autoimmune Considerations of Immune Checkpoint Therapy.

The most common immune-related adverse events (irAEs) involve the skin, and several serve as predictors of response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, especially in melanoma. Patients with pre-existing skin autoimmune diseases (ADs) have been excluded from ICI studies for safety concerns, yet recent research has shown that dermatological ADs can be managed without discontinuing ICI therapy. Patients with ADs respond as well or better to ICIs and can be included as candidates in clinical trials.

Association Between Social Determinants of Health and Glycemic Control Among African American People with Type 2 diabetes: The Jackson Heart Study.

Background: Social determinants of health have a significant impact on health outcomes. However, the complexity and interaction of multiple factors influencing glycemic control remain understudied.

Purpose: This study examined associations of socioeconomic position (income, education, and occupation), environmental (physical activity facilities, neighborhood social cohesion, neighborhood problem, and violence), behavioral (physical activity, nutrition, and smoking), and psychological factors (depressive symptoms, stress, and discrimination) with glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [A1c]) using the World Health Organization Social Determinants of Health framework in African American adults with type 2 diabetes.

On the Frontiers of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Current and Future Directions in a Rapidly Changing Field.

Breast cancer (BCa) represents a medically heterogeneous group of malignancies, with differing biological and genetic makeups [...

Breast Cancer Disparities in Asian Women: The Need for Disaggregated Research.

Asian (AZN) women are a heterogeneous group, comprising a wide array of cultural beliefs, languages, and healthcare needs. Yet, studies of breast cancer (BCa) risks and outcomes predominately consider AZNs in aggregate, assuming that the distinct ethnicities have similar disease profiles and homogeneous responses to treatment. This stereotypical portrayal of AZNs as a homogenous group tends to mask disparities.

Medications Associated with Lower Mortality in a SARS-CoV-2 Positive Cohort of 26,508 Veterans.

Background: Many severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive patients take commonly prescribed medications with properties which may affect mortality.

Objective: Assess if common medications postulated to affect clinical outcomes are associated with mortality in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Design: Observational national cohort analysis.

Longitudinal assessment of colonoscopy adverse events in the prospective Cooperative Studies Program no. 380 colorectal cancer screening and surveillance cohort.

Background And Aims: Data are limited regarding colonoscopy risk during long-term, programmatic colorectal cancer screening and follow-up. We aimed to describe adverse events during follow-up in a colonoscopy screening program after the baseline examination and examine factors associated with increased risk.

Methods: Cooperative Studies Program no.

Systematic analysis of ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNA predicting prognosis in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Ferroptosis is a novel iron-dependent cell death, and an increasing number of studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) are involved in the ferroptosis process. However, studies on ferroptosis-related lncRNAs in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) are limited. In addition, the prognostic role of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs and their relationship with the immune microenvironment and methylation of LUSC is unclear.

A Phenome-Wide Association Study of genes associated with COVID-19 severity reveals shared genetics with complex diseases in the Million Veteran Program.

The study aims to determine the shared genetic architecture between COVID-19 severity with existing medical conditions using electronic health record (EHR) data. We conducted a Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) of genetic variants associated with critical illness (n = 35) or hospitalization (n = 42) due to severe COVID-19 using genome-wide association summary data from the Host Genetics Initiative. PheWAS analysis was performed using genotype-phenotype data from the Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program (MVP).

Health-Related Quality of Life by Gulf War Illness Case Status.

This study examines how health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and related indices vary by Gulf War illness (GWI) case status. The study population included veterans from the Gulf War Era Cohort and Biorepository (n = 1116). Outcomes were physical and mental health from the Veterans RAND 12 and depression, post-traumatic stress (PTSD), sleep disturbance, and pain.

Interaction of Vitamin D and Corticosteroid Use in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Potential Explanation for Inconsistent Findings in the Literature.

Vitamin D is an important immune-modulator with anti-inflammatory properties. While this prohormone has been studied extensively in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, findings have been inconsistent regarding its overall benefit in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Most studies to date have been observational in nature, not accounting for the use of corticosteroids.