Metagenomics reveals the genetic diversity between sublineages of UCYN-A and their algal host plastids.

UCYN-A (or Atelocyanobacterium thalassa) has been recognized as a globally distributed, early stage, nitrogen-fixing organelle (the "nitroplast") of cyanobacterial origin present in the haptophyte alga . Although the nitroplast was recognized as UCYN-A2, not all sublineages of UCYN-A have been confirmed as nitroplasts, and full genomes are still lacking for several known sublineages. We investigated the differences between UCYN-A sublineages by sequencing and assembly of metagenomic sequences acquired from cultured biomass from NW Atlantic seawater, which yielded near-complete Metagenome Assembled Genomes (MAGs) corresponding to UCYN-A1, -A4, and the plastid of the UCYN-A4-associated Weekly time-series data paired with the recurrence of specific microbes in cultures used for metagenomics gave further insight into the microbial community associated with the algal/UCYN-A complex.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs for Breast Cancer Prevention and Survival: A Narrative Review of Epidemiological Studies from Taiwan.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to describe the association of integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs into conventional medicine (CM) in preventing breast cancer and improving survival rates among breast cancer patients of Taiwan.

Recent Findings: Of 7 relevant studies, spanning 2014-2023, 4 investigated breast cancer risk in women with menopausal symptoms and other comorbidities. All 4 reported that TCM herbal use was associated with lower risks of developing breast cancer.

The landscape of use of NCCN-guideline chemotherapy regimens in stage I-IIIA breast cancer in an integrated healthcare delivery system.

Purpose: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend a variety of drug combinations with specific administration schedules for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, allowing physicians to deliver treatments recognizing individual patient complexities, including comorbidities, and patient-physician preference. While use of guideline regimens has shifted over time, there is little data to describe changes in how treatment for early-stage breast cancer has evolved over time.

Methods: In a cohort of 34,109 women treated for stage I-IIIA breast cancer between 2006-2019 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California and Kaiser Permanente Washington, we present the changes in chemotherapy regimens over time, and explore use of NCCN-guideline regimens (GR), guideline regimens used when said regimens were not included in guidelines, referred to as time-discordant regimens (TDR), and non-guideline regimens (NGR).

Nitrogen fixation in the widely distributed marine γ-proteobacterial diazotroph Thalassolituus haligoni.

The high diversity and global distribution of heterotrophic bacterial diazotrophs (HBDs) in the ocean has recently become apparent. However, understanding the role these largely uncultured microorganisms play in marine N fixation poses a challenge due to their undefined growth requirements and the complex regulation of the nitrogenase enzyme. We isolated and characterized Thalassolituus haligoni, a member of a widely distributed clade of HBD belonging to the Oceanospirillales.

Patient Characteristics Associated with Intended Nonguideline Chemotherapy in Women with Stage I to IIIA Breast Cancer.

Background: Guidelines informing chemotherapy regimen selection are based on clinical trials with participants who do not necessarily represent general populations with breast cancer. Understanding who receives nonguideline regimens is important for understanding real-world chemotherapy administration and how it relates to patient outcomes.

Methods: Using data from the Optimal Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Dosing (OBCD) study, based at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (2006-2019) and Kaiser Permanente Washington (2004-2015), we use logistic regression to examine the associations between patient characteristics and receipt of nonguideline chemotherapy regimens among 11,293 women with primary stage I to IIIA breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Targeted metagenomics reveals pangenomic diversity of the nitroplast (UCYN-A) and its algal host plastid.

UCYN-A (Cand. Atelocyanobacterium thalassa) has recently been recognized as a globally-distributed, early stage, nitrogen-fixing organelle (the 'nitroplast') of cyanobacterial origin present in select species of haptophyte algae (e.g.

New Perspectives in Overcoming Bulk-Fill Composite Polymerization Shrinkage: The Impact of Curing Mode and Layering.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different light curing modes on the polymerization shrinkage of a bulk-fill composite and to evaluate the impact of two layering techniques on the cuspal deflection.

Methods: Nine different light curing modes were tested on bulk-fill composite samples in aluminum MOD cavities. Intensity, duration, and illumination distance were the factors that changed during the different curing modes.

Trends in chemotherapy use for early-stage breast cancer from 2006 to 2019.

Background: Little is known about how use of chemotherapy has evolved in breast cancer patients. We therefore describe chemotherapy patterns for women with stage I-IIIA breast cancer in the Optimal Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Dosing (OBCD) Study using data from KPNC (Kaiser Permanente Northern California) and KPWA (Kaiser Permanente Washington).

Findings: Among 33,670 women, aged 18 + y, diagnosed with primary stage I-IIIA breast cancer at KPNC and KPWA from 2006 to 2019, we explored patterns of intravenous chemotherapy use, defined here as receipt of intravenous cytotoxic drugs and/or anti-HER2 therapies.

Femoro-axillary versus femoro-femoral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory cardiogenic shock: A monocentric retrospective study.

Rationale: For veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the femoral artery is the preferred cannulation site (femoro-femoral: Vf-Af). This results in retrograde aortic flow, which increases the left ventricular afterload and can lead to severe pulmonary edema and thrombosis of the cardiac chambers. Right axillary artery cannulation (femoral-axillary: Vf-Aa) provides partial anterograde aortic flow, which may prevent some complications.

Methodology for Using Real-World Data From Electronic Health Records to Assess Chemotherapy Administration in Women With Breast Cancer.

Purpose: Identification of patients' intended chemotherapy regimens is critical to most research questions conducted in the real-world setting of cancer care. Yet, these data are not routinely available in electronic health records (EHRs) at the specificity required to address these questions. We developed a methodology to identify patients' intended regimens from EHR data in the Optimal Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Dosing (OBCD) study.

Mediation analysis using incomplete information from publicly available data sources.

Our work was motivated by the question whether, and to what extent, well-established risk factors mediate the racial disparity observed for colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in the United States. Mediation analysis examines the relationships between an exposure, a mediator and an outcome. All available methods require access to a single complete data set with these three variables.

Number of Older Biological Siblings and Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Risk.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United States. Although CRC incidence has declined in individuals >50 years, incidence is rising in adults <50 years (early onset). By 2027, CRC is projected to become the leading cause of cancer mortality in US adults <50 years.

Challenges in the Monitoring of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange during Acute Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Adults under ECMO.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been proposed to remove heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibodies before planned thoracic surgery in patients with acute HIT and to allow brief re-exposure to heparin during surgery. In patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), simultaneous administration of TPE and alternative nonheparin anticoagulant therapies is challenging. We report 2 patients on ECMO with acute HIT who underwent repeated TPE to enable cardiothoracic surgery with the use of heparin.

Microbiological profile of patients treated for postoperative peritonitis: temporal trends 1999-2019.

Background: Temporal changes in the microbiological resistance profile have been reported in several life-threatening infections. However, no data have ever assessed this issue in postoperative peritonitis (POP). Our purpose was to assess the rate of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in POP over a two-decade period and to analyse their influence on the adequacy of empirical antibiotic therapy (EAT).

Evaluation of Algorithms Using Automated Health Plan Data to Identify Breast Cancer Recurrences.

Background: We updated algorithms to identify breast cancer recurrences from administrative data, extending previously developed methods.

Methods: In this validation study, we evaluated pairs of breast cancer recurrence algorithms (vs. individual algorithms) to identify recurrences.

Assessment of breast cancer chemotherapy dose reduction in an integrated healthcare delivery system.

Purpose: Most cytotoxic drugs are dosed using body surface area (BSA), yet not all cancer patients receive the full BSA-determined dose. Prior work suggests that breast cancer patients who are obese are more likely to experience dose reduction than normal weight patients. However, the factors driving dose reduction remain unclear.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Use and Mortality Among Adults in the United States from 1999 to 2014.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are supplements that are often, but not always, used in combination for arthritis and joint pain. Multiple studies have suggested that glucosamine and chondroitin may be associated with reduced risk of several diseases, as well as all-cause, cancer- and respiratory disease-specific mortality. Nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to further evaluate the association between glucosamine and chondroitin with mortality.

Health care access and migration experiences among Venezuelan female sex workers living in the Dominican Republic.

Objective: To identify sexual risk behaviors and barriers to sexual and reproductive health care (SRH) among Venezuelan female sex workers living in the Dominican Republic.

Methods: This was a mixed-methods study using four focus group discussions (FGDs) and a cross-sectional quantitative survey with Venezuelan migrant female sex workers. The study was conducted from September through October 2021 in two urban areas (Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata) in the Dominican Republic.

Temporary ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic first wave: description of the cohort at a French centre.

Background: During the COVID-19 first wave in France, the capacity of intensive care unit (ICU) beds almost doubled, mainly because of the opening of temporary ICUs with staff and equipment from anaesthesia.

Objectives: We aim to investigate if the initial management in temporary ICU is associated with a change in ICU mortality and short-term prognosis.

Design: Retrospective single-centre cohort study.

Association between fish oil supplements use and serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread pollutants and classified as potentially carcinogenic to humans. Although consumption of fish, seafood, and their byproducts is a known source of dietary PFAS exposure, little is known about the association between use of fish oil supplements and PFAS. Here, we examine associations between fish oil supplement use and serum PFAS concentrations.

Clinical assessment of scannographic markers for sarcopenia in lung transplant candidates.

Introduction: The selection of patients for lung transplantation is difficult. An aspect of the patient's general condition and frailty can be assessed by measuring the surface area of certain muscles on CT. Indeed, sarcopenia, assessed by measuring the area of psoas muscles on scannographic sections has already been shown to be associated with poor outcomes in lung transplant and other major surgeries and could thus be helpful to evaluate candidates to lung transplant.