Clinical, pathological, and adjuvant chemotherapy use differences among microsatellite unstable and microsatellite stable colon cancers.

Background: Colon cancers are categorized into mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite unstable (MSI-H) and mismatch repair proficient/microsatellite stable (MSS) cancers. This study aims to compare the disease characteristics and trends in the utilization of cancer therapies across different age groups and stages in these two groups.

Methods: MSI-H and MSS colon adenocarcinomas from 2010 to 2016 were identified using the National Cancer Database.

Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy in a Safety Net Hospital: Opportunities for Improvement.

Background: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is a safe and cost-effective transitional care approach administered via different delivery models. No standards exist for appropriate OPAT program staffing. We examined outcomes of patients receiving OPAT via different care models to identify strategies to improve safety while reducing health care overuse.

Cigarette smoking and prostate cancer aggressiveness among African and European American men.

Purpose: Smoking is a modifiable lifestyle factor that has not been established as a prostate cancer risk factor, nor emphasized in prostate cancer prevention. Studies have shown that African American (AA) smokers have a poorer cancer prognosis than European Americans (EAs), while having a lower prevalence of heavy smoking. We examined the relationship between cigarette smoking and prostate cancer aggressiveness and assessed racial differences in smoking habits on the probability of high-aggressive prostate cancer.

Tuberculosis and Risk of Emphysema among US Adults in the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study Cohort, 1971-1992.

(1) Background: History of TB is a known risk factor for long-term respiratory impairment affecting lung functions in both restrictive and obstructive lung disease. (2) Methods: We analyzed data from the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS), a longitudinal study conducted on a noninstitutionalized adult US population aged 25-74 years. Approximately 93 percent of the original NHANES I cohort was successfully traced by the end of the survey period and was available for analysis.

Increased Utilization of Low-Dose CT for Lung Cancer Screening at an Arkansas Community Oncology Clinic.

Background: Low-dose CT (LDCT) is underused in Arkansas for lung cancer screening, a rural state with a high incidence of lung cancer. The objective was to determine whether offering free LDCT increased the number of high-risk individuals screened in a rural catchment area.

Methods: There were 5,402 patients enrolled in screening at Highlands Oncology, a community oncology clinic in Northwest Arkansas, from 2013 to 2020.

Association of DNA methylation signatures with cognitive performance among smokers and ex-smokers.

Introduction: Alterations in DNA methylation profiles have been associated with cancer, and can be influenced by environmental factors such as smoking. A small but growing literature indicates there are reproducible and robust differences in methylation levels among smokers, never smokers, and ex-smokers. Here, we compared differences in salivary DNA methylation levels among current and ex-smokers (at least 2 years abstinent).

Impact of Dietary Quality on Genital Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Infection in Women.

Background: Most cervical cancers are directly linked to oncogenic or high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. This study evaluates associations between diet quality and genital HPV infection in women.

Methods: This study included 10 543 women from the 2003-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Interactions of SNPs in Folate Metabolism Related Genes on Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness in European Americans and African Americans.

Background: Studies showed that folate and related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could predict prostate cancer (PCa) risk. However, little is known about the interactions of folate-related SNPs associated with PCa aggressiveness. The study's objective is to evaluate SNP-SNP interactions among the DHFR 19-bp polymorphism and 10 SNPs in folate metabolism and the one-carbon metabolism pathway associated with PCa aggressiveness.

Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage among sexually active young adults aged 18 to 26 at a sexually transmitted infections clinic.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is the most effective biomedical intervention for HPV infections. HPV vaccination rate among sexually active young adults is largely unknown.

Methods: Patients aged 18-26 years, who attended the Rhode Island Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic between 2013-2018, were included in the study.

Maternal Periconceptional Folic Acid Supplementation and DNA Methylation Patterns in Adolescent Offspring.

Background: Folate, including the folic acid form, is a key component of the one-carbon metabolic pathway used for DNA methylation. Changes in DNA methylation patterns during critical development periods are associated with disease outcomes and are associated with changes in nutritional status in pregnancy. The long-term impact of periconceptional folic acid supplementation on DNA methylation patterns is unknown.

Epidemiologic Trends of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma in Arkansas Reveals Demographic Disparities.

Accurate demographic data are critical for comprehending and treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Our research aimed to determine the demographics and incidence trends of CTCL patients in Arkansas compared to those of the national CTCL population to recognize the underlying disparities. We collected data from 143 CTCL patients at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and national CTCL patient data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Cytogenetic and epigenetic aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes of northwest Arkansas Marshallese.

Purpose: Nuclear weapons testing in the northern Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958 resulted in ionizing radiation (IR) exposure of the thousands of Marshallese. Furthermore, numerous islands were contaminated by radioactive fallout. Significant increases in cancer and metabolic syndrome incidences have been reported among Marshallese, and potential for further increases looms due to the latency of radiation-induced health effects.

Recreational and occupational physical activity in relation to prostate cancer aggressiveness: the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP).

Purpose: To examine associations between recreational and occupational physical activity and prostate cancer aggressiveness in a population-based, case-only, incident prostate cancer study.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the cross-sectional North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project of African-American (n = 1,023) and European-American (n = 1,079) men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer (CaP). High-aggressive CaP was defined as Gleason sum ≥ 8, or prostate-specific antigen > 20 ng/ml, or Gleason sum ≥ 7 and clinical stage T3-T4.

Association Between Household Income and Self-Perceived Health Status and Poor Mental and Physical Health Among Cancer Survivors.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is multidimensional and is composed of, at a minimum, self-perceived health status, physical functioning, and psychological well-being. HRQoL measures reflect the extent of disability and dysfunction associated with a chronic disease such as cancer. The objective of this study is to examine factors associated with HRQoL among cancer survivors.

Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Signatures Predict the Early Asymptomatic Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer.

Chemotherapy with doxorubicin (DOX) may cause unpredictable cardiotoxicity. This study aimed to determine whether the methylation signature of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) prior to and after the first cycle of DOX-based chemotherapy could predict the risk of cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients. Cardiotoxicity was defined as a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by >10%.

Low‑Level Environmental Heavy Metals are Associated with Obesity Among Postmenopausal Women in a Southern State.

Both arsenic and cadmium are reported to be toxic to humans. The use of saliva as a biomarker of low-level exposures to these elements has not been adequately explored, and the putative relationship between exposure and obesity is unclear. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the relationship between salivary arsenic and cadmium concentrations and their association with obesity.

An Online Survey and Focus Groups for Promoting Cancer Prevention Measures.

In order to design a cancer prevention promotion program in the region, suggestions were solicited at a medical center. We hypothesized that a majority would be native to state, and would be able to articulate about the barriers that may exist. Through online survey and focus groups, suggestions were sought, and the knowledge and the compliance with cancer prevention recommendations were assessed to determine the participants' qualifications as potential educators.

Association between pesticide exposure and colorectal cancer risk and incidence: A systematic review.

Background: Studies investigating the association between pesticide exposure and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk have been inconclusive.

Objectives: Investigate the association between pesticide exposure and CRC risk through a systematic literature review.

Methods: CRC has the fourth-highest rate of cancer-caused death in the US after lung cancer, breast cancer in women, and prostate cancer in men.

Aspirin, ibuprofen, and reduced risk of advanced colorectal adenoma incidence and recurrence and colorectal cancer in the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial.

Background: Studying the differential impact of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs across the stages of colorectal neoplasia from early adenoma to cancer is critical for understanding the benefits of these widely used drugs.

Methods: With 13 years of follow-up, the authors prospectively evaluated the association between aspirin and ibuprofen use and incident distal adenoma (1221 cases), recurrent adenoma (862 cases), and incident colorectal cancer (CRC; 2826 cases) among men and women in the population-based Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. With multivariable-adjusted models, odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for adenoma incidence and recurrence and hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for incident CRC were determined.

Independent and Joint Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Statins use on the Risk of Prostate Cancer Among White, Black, and Hispanic Men.

The associations of testosterone therapy (TTh) and statins use with prostate cancer remain conflicted. However, the joint effects of TTh and statins use on the incidence of prostate cancer, stage and grade at diagnosis, and prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) have not been studied.We identified White ( = 74,181), Black ( = 9,157), and Hispanic ( = 3,313) men diagnosed with prostate cancer in SEER-Medicare 2007-2016.

What's in Between the Lines: Assessing the Readability, Understandability, and Actionability in Breast Cancer Survivorship Print Materials.

Educational print materials for young women breast cancer survivors (YBCS) are supplemental tools used in patient teaching. However, the readability of the text coupled with how well YBCS understand or act upon the material are rarely explored. The purpose of this study was to assess the readability, understandability, and actionability of commonly distributed breast cancer survivorship print materials.

Antioxidants Associated With Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Infection in Women.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major cause of cervical cancer. Studies showed the onset of HPV carcinogenesis may be induced by oxidative stress affecting the host immune system. The association between antioxidants and oncogenic HPV remains unclear.

Biomarkers of inflammation, hypercoagulability and endothelial injury predict early asymptomatic doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients.

Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity is a major limitation to its clinical application. Cardiotoxicity of DOX is dose-dependent that begins with the first dose. Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in DOX-related cardiotoxicity.

Genome-wide DNA methylation signatures to predict pathologic complete response from combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy with bevacizumab in breast cancer.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00203502.

Mobile Mammography Screening as an Opportunity to Increase Access of Rural Women to Breast Cancer Research Studies.

Objectives: Rural women are underrepresented in cancer research. We hypothesized that providing access to a research study to rural, medically underserved women who were receiving their breast cancer screening using a mobile mammography unit would increase the representation of rural women in a cancer cohort study.

Design: This study is a cross-sectional study using a cohort of women who have been recruited to a breast cancer study in Arkansas.