Anthracyclines React with Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Sites in DNA.

The combination of doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and cyclophosphamide, referred to as AC chemotherapy, is commonly used for the clinical treatment of breast and other cancers. Both agents target DNA with cyclophosphamide causing alkylation damage and doxorubicin stabilizing the topoisomerase II-DNA complex. We hypothesize a new mechanism of action whereby both agents work in concert.

A Step Forward for Smart Clothes─Fabric-Based Microfluidic Sensors for Wearable Health Monitoring.

We report the first demonstration of fabric-based microfluidics for wearable sensing. A new technology to develop microfluidics on fabrics, as a part of an undergarment, is described here. Compared to conventional microfluidics from polydimethylsiloxane, fabric-based microfluidics are simple to make, robust, and suitable for efficient sweat delivery.

Electrospun Microfibers Modulate Intracellular Amino Acids in Liver Cells via Integrin β1.

Although numerous recent studies have shown the importance of polymeric microfibrous extracellular matrices (ECMs) in maintaining cell behaviors and functions, the mechanistic nexus between ECMs and intracellular activities is largely unknown. Nevertheless, this knowledge will be critical in understanding and treating diseases with ECM remodeling. Therefore, we present our findings that ECM microstructures could regulate intracellular amino acid levels in liver cells mechanistically through integrin β1.

From cells-on-a-chip to organs-on-a-chip: scaffolding materials for 3D cell culture in microfluidics.

It is an emerging research area to integrate scaffolding materials in microfluidic devices for 3D cell culture (organs-on-a-chip). The technology of organs-on-a-chip holds the potential to obviate the gaps between pre-clinical and clinical studies. As accumulating evidence shows the importance of extracellular matrix in in vitro cell culture, significant efforts have been made to integrate 3D ECM/scaffolding materials in microfluidics.

Harnessing Behavioral Economics Principles to Promote Better Surgeon Accountability for Operating Room Cost: A Prospective Study.

Background: Operating room (OR) cost accounts for a significant portion of inpatient spending, but most surgeons are unaware of the costs of OR implants and supplies. We leveraged behavioral economics principles and a cost transparency tool to have an impact on discretionary OR spending (disposable supplies).

Study Design: We performed a single-institution, prospective study, from January to December 2018, across 3 departments: urology, thoracic, and endocrine.

Understanding Thyroidectomy Cost Variations Among National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers.

Background: The cost of thyroidectomy varies across the USA, while the causes of this variation are poorly understood. We examined the cost of inpatient thyroidectomy among National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers nationwide to determine why it differs.

Methods: A retrospective study of inpatient thyroidectomies was performed using the Vizient Clinical Data Base.

Surgeon perception versus reality: Opioid use after breast cancer surgery.

Background: Few guidelines exist for an opioid prescription after breast surgical oncology (BSO) procedures. We sought to characterize opioid prescribing and use patterns by surgery type.

Methods: Patients (n = 332) undergoing BSO procedure were surveyed one week postoperatively for opioid use.

Disseminating universal genetic testing to a diverse, indigent patient population at a county hospital gynecologic oncology clinic.

Objective: The universal genetic testing initiative (UGTI) is a quality improvement effort to increase rates of guideline-based genetic counseling (GC) and genetic testing (GT) of patients with potentially hereditary cancers. The UGTI was disseminated to a county hospital gynecologic oncology clinic that serves a diverse, indigent patient population.

Methods: Using the Model for Improvement quality improvement framework, interventions including integrated GC, clinic tracking, assisted GC referrals, and provider education were tested over 26 months.

Reassessing the environmental context of the Aitape Skull - The oldest tsunami victim in the world?

There is increasing recognition of the long-lasting effects of tsunamis on human populations. This is particularly notable along tectonically active coastlines with repeated inundations occurring over thousands of years. Given the often high death tolls reported from historical events though it is remarkable that so few human skeletal remains have been found in the numerous palaeotsunami deposits studied to date.

Improving patient access to an interventional US clinic.

A continuous quality improvement project was conducted to increase patient access to a neurointerventional ultrasonography (US) clinic. The clinic was experiencing major scheduling delays because of an increasing patient volume. A multidisciplinary team was formed that included schedulers, medical assistants, nurses, technologists, and physicians.

Patients with a negative cystoscopy and negative Nmp22® Bladderchek® test are at low risk of missed transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: a prospective evaluation.

Objectives: Urine based tumor markers have uncertain utility in diagnosis or surveillance of patients with bladder cancer while cytology is commonly used. We evaluated whether cytology provides additional diagnostic information in patients with a negative NMP22® BladderChek® test (BladderChek) and negative cystoscopy.

Materials And Methods: We performed subset analyses of 2 large prospective multi-center databases evaluating BladderChek for UCB detection and surveillance.

High-grade ureteroscopic biopsy is associated with advanced pathology of upper-tract urothelial carcinoma tumors at definitive surgical resection.

Background And Purpose: Accurate assessment of upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) pathology may guide use of endoscopic vs extirpative therapy. We present a multi-institutional cohort of patients with UTUC who underwent surgical resection to characterize the association of ureteroscopic (URS) biopsy features with final pathology results.

Patients And Methods: URS biopsy data were available in 238 patients who underwent surgical resection of UTUC.

Multi-institutional validation of the ability of preoperative hydronephrosis to predict advanced pathologic tumor stage in upper-tract urothelial carcinoma.

Objective: The presence of hydronephrosis (HN) has been implicated as a predictor of poor outcomes for patients diagnosed with bladder cancer. Small, single institution preliminary reports suggest a similar negative relationship may exist for upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Herein, we attempt to validate the prognostic value of preoperative HN in a large, multi-institutional cohort of UTUC patients.

Urinary cytology has a poor performance for predicting invasive or high-grade upper-tract urothelial carcinoma.

Objective: • To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of urine cytology for detecting aggressive disease in a multi-institutional cohort of patients undergoing extirpative surgery for upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Methods: • We reviewed the records of 326 patients with urinary cytology data who underwent a radical nephroureterectomy or distal ureterectomy without concurrent or previous bladder cancer. • We assessed the association of cytology (positive, negative and atypical) with final pathology.

Social network analysis of the genetic structure of Pacific islanders.

Social network analysis (SNA) is a body of theory and a set of relatively new computer-aided techniques used in the analysis and study of relational data. Recent studies of autosomal markers from over 40 human populations in the south-western Pacific have further documented the remarkable degree of genetic diversity in this part of the world. I report additional analysis using SNA methods contributing new controlled observations on the structuring of genetic diversity among these islanders.

Preoperative hydronephrosis, ureteroscopic biopsy grade and urinary cytology can improve prediction of advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Purpose: We evaluated the value of hydronephrosis, ureteroscopic biopsy grade and urinary cytology to predict advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the charts of 469 patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated with radical nephroureterectomy or distal ureterectomy. Complete data on hydronephrosis (present vs absent), ureteroscopic grade (high vs low) and urinary cytology (positive vs negative) were available in 172 patients.

Characterization of renal ischemia using DLP hyperspectral imaging: a pilot study comparing artery-only occlusion versus artery and vein occlusion.

Background And Purpose: Renal artery-only (AO) occlusion, as opposed to artery and vein (AV) occlusion, has demonstrated some benefit in reducing renal insufficiency during warm ischemia. In this pilot study, we used digital light projection hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to construct a "real time" tissue oxygenation "map" to determine whether there are differences in renal tissue oxygenation during vascular occlusion with AO vs AV.

Materials And Methods: Renal vascular occlusion with either AO or AV was performed for 60 minutes in seven porcine renal units.