International study to develop a patient-reported outcome measure to evaluate outcomes of gender-affirming care - the GENDER-Q.

Background: To meaningfully understand outcomes of gender-affirming care, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that are grounded in what matters to individuals seeking care are urgently needed. The objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive PROM to assess outcomes of gender-affirming care in clinical practice, research, and quality initiatives (the GENDER-Q).

Methods: Internationally established guidelines for PROM development were used to create a field test version of the GENDER-Q.

CpG oligonucleotides induce acute murine thrombocytopenia dependent on toll-like receptor 9 and spleen tyrosine kinase pathways.

Background: CpG oligonucleotides (ODNs) are synthetic single-stranded DNA sequences that act as immunostimulants. They have been increasingly used to treat several cancers; however, thrombocytopenia is a potential recognized side effect of some sequences.

Objectives: We tested the ability of 2 CpG ODNs (ODN 2395 and ISIS 120704) to induce thrombocytopenia when administered to BALB/c mice and determined mechanisms associated with thrombocytopenia.

Desialylated Platelet Clearance in the Liver is a Novel Mechanism of Systemic Immunosuppression.

Platelets are small, versatile blood cells that are critical for hemostasis/thrombosis. Local platelet accumulation is a known contributor to proinflammation in various disease states. However, the anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive potential of platelets has been poorly explored.

The role of T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells in refractory immune thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by a dysregulated immune response against platelets, affecting both their destruction and production. A role for an abnormal T-cell compartment has been established in ITP pathogenesis and treatments that increase platelet counts in patients with ITP have shown improvements in T-cell profiles. On the other hand, patients who were refractory to treatment appear to retain the T-cell abnormalities as before.

Breast Reconstruction Use and Impact on Surgical and Oncologic Outcomes Amongst Inflammatory Breast Cancer Patients-A Systematic Review.

Breast reconstruction is generally discouraged in women with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) due to concerns with recurrence and poor long-term survival. We aim to determine contemporary trends and predictors of breast reconstruction and its impact on oncologic outcomes among women with IBC. A systematic literature review for all studies published up to 15 September 2022 was conducted via MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.

Patient Outcomes after Fat Grafting to the Radiated Chest Wall before Delayed Two-stage Alloplastic Breast Reconstruction.

Unlabelled: Two-stage alloplastic breast reconstruction in patients having received mastectomy and radiation is associated with a high rate of complications. Fat grafting has been shown to mitigate the effects of radiation on the chest wall to allow for alloplastic reconstruction. In this study, we assess the outcomes (after a mean follow-up of 28 months), including complications and revisional procedures, of women who had fat grafting to the radiated chest wall before two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction.

Phenotypic Characterization of Acoustically Enriched Extracellular Vesicles from Pathogen-Activated Platelets.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are derived from the membrane of platelets and released into the circulation upon activation or injury. Analogous to the parent cell, platelet-derived EVs play an important role in hemostasis and immune responses by transfer of bioactive cargo from the parent cells. Platelet activation and release of EVs increase in several pathological inflammatory diseases, such as sepsis.

A Safe and Efficient Technique for Pedicled TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Learning Objectives: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the indications for a unilateral pedicled transverse rectus abdominis (TRAM) flap-based breast reconstruction. 2.

Health state utility values in patients undergoing chest masculinization surgery.

Background: Chest masculinization surgery is the most common gender-affirming procedure performed in transgender and gender-diverse individuals. While evidence on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) impact of chest masculinization is starting to emerge, data on health state utility values (HSUVs) associated with the surgery is largely missing. The objectives of this study were to estimate the HSUVs using EQ-5D for patients seeking chest masculinization surgery and assess the determinants of EQ-5D score at 6 months postoperatively.

Goldenrod herbariomics: Hybrid-sequence capture reveals the phylogeny of Solidago.

Premise: The phylogenetic relationships among the ca. 138 species of goldenrods (Solidago; Asteraceae) have been difficult to infer due to species richness, and shallow interspecific genetic divergences. This study aims to overcome these obstacles by combining extensive sampling of goldenrod herbarium specimens with the use of a custom Solidago hybrid-sequence capture probe set.

Binge-reading on immune thrombocytopenia: Everything you ever wanted to know.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a complex clinical and pathophysiological autoimmune disorder and in the past decade, thousands of papers have been published on this topic. To shed light on the global scientific output, Ou et al. performed a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the ITP literature to clarify the major hotspots and future research directions.

Contemporary Trends in Breast Reconstruction Use and Impact on Survival Among Women with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

Background: Breast reconstruction is generally discouraged in women with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Nevertheless, reconstruction rates are increasing in this population.

Objective: We aimed to determine contemporary trends and predictors of breast reconstruction use and its impact on mortality among IBC patients.

Enrichment of Complement, Immunoglobulins, and Autoantibody Targets in the Proteome of Platelets from Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background:  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease characterized by autoimmunity toward apoptotic cells, excessive amounts of circulating immune complexes, and complement activation. A decreased platelet size has been observed in SLE and their nonhemostatic functions may play an active role in the disease. The main objective of this study was to find clues that could explain their decreased size and functional role, analyzing the entire platelet proteome.

Dissecting platelet proteomics to understand the pathophysiology of immune thrombocytopenia: studies in mouse models.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by enhanced platelet clearance and defective platelet production. Diagnosis by exclusion and trial-and-error treatment strategies is common practice, and despite the advancement in treatment options, many patients remain refractory. Although the existence of different pathophysiological entities is acknowledged, we are still far from stratifying and understanding ITP.

Canadian Expert Opinion on Breast Reconstruction Access: Strategies to Optimize Care during COVID-19.

Background: Breast reconstructive services are medically necessary, time-sensitive procedures with meaningful health-related quality of life benefits for breast cancer survivors. The COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in unprecedented restrictions in surgical access, including access to breast reconstructive services. A national approach is needed to guide the strategic use of resources during times of fluctuating restrictions on surgical access due to COVID-19 demands on hospital capacity.

Recent advances in the mechanisms and treatment of immune thrombocytopenia.

Primary immune thrombocytopenia is an autoimmune disease associated with a reduced peripheral blood platelet count. The phenotype is variable with some patients suffering no bleeding whilst others have severe bleeding which may be fatal. Variability in clinical behaviour and treatment responses reflects its complex underlying pathophysiology.

Platelets in ITP: Victims in Charge of Their Own Fate?

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder. The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to low platelet levels in ITP have not been resolved, but at least involve autoantibody-dependent and/or cytotoxic T cell mediated platelet clearance and impaired megakaryopoiesis. In addition, T cell imbalances involving T regulatory cells (Tregs) also appear to play an important role.