Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Before and After Treatment Initiation.

Purpose: We aimed to described 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to re-evaluate levels after chemotherapy.

Methods: Permanent residents of the San Francisco Bay Area with a new CRC diagnosis of any stage were recruited prior to any non-surgical therapy. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured at time of diagnosis and 6-month follow-up.

Cabozantinib in Patients with Advanced and Progressing Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Cabozantinib inhibits tyrosine kinases, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1, 2, and 3, MET, and AXL, which are implicated in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and the development of resistance to sorafenib, the standard initial treatment for advanced disease. This randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial evaluated cabozantinib as compared with placebo in previously treated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 707 patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive cabozantinib (60 mg once daily) or matching placebo.

Macrolide therapy is associated with lower mortality in community-acquired bacteraemic pneumonia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has a potential complication of bacteremia. The objective of this study was to define the clinical outcomes of patients with CAP and bacteremia treated with and without a macrolide.

Materials And Methods: Secondary analysis of the Community-Acquired Pneumonia Organization database of hospitalized patients with CAP.

Neurofunctional Correlates of Response to Quetiapine in Adolescents with Bipolar Depression.

Objectives: Prior studies have shown that youth with bipolar disorder demonstrate neurofunctional changes in key prefrontal and subcortical brain regions implicated in emotional regulation following treatment with pharmacological agents. We recently reported a large response rate (>60%) to quetiapine (QUET) for treating depressive symptoms in adolescents with bipolar depression. This study investigates the neurofunctional effects of QUET using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Retbindin Is Capable of Protecting Photoreceptors from Flavin-Sensitized Light-Mediated Cell Death In Vitro.

Retbindin (Rtbdn) is a novel protein of unknown function found exclusively in the retina. Recently, our group has suggested, from in silico analysis of the peptide sequence and in vitro binding data, that Rtbdn could function to bind riboflavin (RF) and its derivatives flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), collectively known as flavins. Here we confirm that Rtbdn is capable of flavin binding and that this characteristic can protect photoreceptors from flavin-sensitized light damage.

In Search of Mobile Applications for Urogynecology Providers.

Introduction: Thousands of medical applications (apps) are available for mobile devices. Finding accurate, health care provider-centered apps may be time consuming and frustrating for urogynecologists. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate urogynecology (urogyn) apps using a modified APPLICATIONS scoring system.

Hitomi X-ray studies of Giant Radio Pulses from the Crab pulsar.

To search for giant X-ray pulses correlated with the giant radio pulses (GRPs) from the Crab pulsar, we performed a simultaneous observation of the Crab pulsar with the X-ray satellite Hitomi in the 2 - 300 keV band and the Kashima NICT radio observatory in the 1.4 - 1.7 GHz band with a net exposure of about 2 ks on 25 March 2016, just before the loss of the Hitomi mission.

Hybrid Capture-Based Tumor Sequencing and Copy Number Analysis to Confirm Origin of Metachronous Metastases in Mutant Cholangiocarcinoma Harboring a Novel Fusion.

Unlabelled: Biliary tract cancers such as cholangiocarcinoma represent a heterogeneous group of cancers that can be difficult to diagnose. Recent comprehensive genomic analyses in large cholangiocarcinoma cohorts have defined important molecular subgroups within cholangiocarcinoma that may relate to anatomic location and etiology [1], [2], [3], [4] and may predict responsiveness to targeted therapies in development [5], [6], [7]. These emerging data highlight the potential for tumor genomics to inform diagnosis and treatment options in this challenging tumor type.

Correction to: Power of Peer Support to Change Health Behavior to Reduce Risks for Heart Disease and Stroke for African American Men in a Faith-Based Community.

An error in Fig. 1 in this article as originally published ("Theme 6: feelings of belonging and being care for" was missing the numeral "6") has been corrected. The original article has been corrected.

DNA nanoparticles are safe and nontoxic in non-human primate eyes.

Introduction: DNA nanoparticles (NPs) comprising polylysine conjugated to polyethylene glycol efficiently target murine photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and lead to long-term phenotypic improvement in models of retinal degeneration. Advancing this technology requires testing in a large animal model, particularly with regard to safety. So, herein we evaluate NPs in non-human primates (baboon).

Anti-Müllerian hormone overexpression restricts preantral ovarian follicle survival.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is an ovarian regulator that affects folliculogenesis. AMH inhibits the developmental activation of the dormant primordial follicles and the oocyte within. In more mature follicles, AMH reduces granulosa cell sensitivity to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Delayed Presentation of Cecal Perforation With Tension-Free Vaginal Tape.

Background: Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) is a popular operative treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). It has a low risk of adverse events, and injuries, particularly to the bowel, are rare. Case reports that have previously discussed these injuries and subsequent removal of TVT have not provided additional insight into management of SUI after these injuries occur.

Customized Pessary Fabrication Using Three-Dimensional Printing Technology.

Background: Pessaries are a treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and cervical incompetence. An effective pessary is comfortable, corrects the presenting problem, does not cause adverse effects, and is easy to remove. Discomfort and poor fit limit the usefulness of pessaries for many women.

Implementing Dementia Care Mapping as a practice development tool in dementia care services: a systematic review.

Dementia Care Mapping (DCM) is an observational tool set within a practice development process. Following training in the method, DCM is implemented via a cyclic process of briefing staff, conducting mapping observations, data analysis and report preparation, feedback to staff and action planning. Recent controlled studies of DCM's efficacy have found heterogeneous results, and variability in DCM implementation has been indicated as a potential contributing factor.

Power of Peer Support to Change Health Behavior to Reduce Risks for Heart Disease and Stroke for African American Men in a Faith-Based Community.

Introduction: Peer support has powerful potential to improve outcomes in a program of health behavior change; yet, how peer support is perceived by participants, its role, and how it contributes to intervention efficacy is not known, especially among African Americans. The purpose of this study was to identify the subjectively perceived experience and potential contributions of peer support to the outcomes of a peer group behavioral intervention designed to change health behavior to reduce risks for heart disease and stroke in African American men in a faith-based community.

Methods: A peer support group intervention was implemented to increase health knowledge and to improve health behaviors in line with the American Heart Association's Life Simple 7 domains (get active, control cholesterol, eat better, manage blood pressure, lose weight, reduce blood sugar, and stop smoking).

Clinical skills temporal degradation assessment in undergraduate medical education.

Introduction: Medical students' ability to learn clinical procedures and competently apply these skills is an essential component of medical education. Complex skills with limited opportunity for practice have been shown to degrade without continued refresher training. To our knowledge there is no evidence that objectively evaluates temporal degradation of clinical skills in undergraduate medical education.

Advanced aging causes diaphragm functional abnormalities, global proteome remodeling, and loss of mitochondrial cysteine redox flexibility in mice.

Aim: Inspiratory muscle (diaphragm) function declines with age, contributing to exercise intolerance and impaired airway clearance. Studies of diaphragm dysfunction in rodents have focused on moderate aging (~24months); thus, the impact of advanced age on the diaphragm and potential mechanisms of dysfunction are less clear. Therefore, we aimed to define the effects of advanced age on the mechanics, morphology, and global and redox proteome of the diaphragm.

A human prefrontal-subthalamic circuit for cognitive control.

The subthalamic nucleus is a key site controlling motor function in humans. Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus can improve movements in patients with Parkinson's disease; however, for unclear reasons, it can also have cognitive effects. Here, we show that the human subthalamic nucleus is monosynaptically connected with cognitive brain areas such as the prefrontal cortex.

Phase II Study of BGJ398 in Patients With FGFR-Altered Advanced Cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose No standard treatment exists for patients with cholangiocarcinoma for whom first-line gemcitabine-based therapy fails. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 ( FGFR2) fusions/translocations are present in 13% to 17% of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. BGJ398, an orally bioavailable, selective pan-FGFR kinase inhibitor, has shown preliminary clinical activity against tumors with FGFR alterations.

Transdermal light neuromodulation: Optogenetics in the murine urinary tract.

Background: Optogenetics is a biologic technique that uses light to control living neurons, which have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion-channels.

Objectives: Using an adenovirus to modify the sciatic nerves of mice, we aim to demonstrate peripheral neuromodulation of bladder pain using transdermal light.

Study Design: This pilot study is divided into: A) Confirmation and Application and B) Behavioral Step.

Telavancin for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bone and joint infections.

This retrospective, case series describes our experience with the use of telavancin in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infection. The primary objectives were clinical outcomes and adverse events (AEs), and a secondary outcome described microbiological susceptibility. Fourteen patients were enrolled.

Ablation of the riboflavin-binding protein retbindin reduces flavin levels and leads to progressive and dose-dependent degeneration of rods and cones.

The interface between the neural retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is critical for several processes, including visual pigment regeneration and retinal attachment to the RPE. One of its most important functions is the exchange of metabolites between the photoreceptors and RPE because photoreceptor cells have very high energy demands, largely satisfied by oxidative metabolism. The riboflavin (RF) cofactors, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), are two key cofactors involved in oxidative metabolism.

Addition of interleukin-6 to mouse embryo culture increases blastocyst cell number and influences the inner cell mass to trophectoderm ratio.

Objective: culture of preimplantation embryos is improved by grouping embryos together in a drop of media. Individually cultured embryos are deprived of paracrine factors; with this in mind, we investigated whether the addition of a single embryo-secreted factor, interleukin-6 (IL-6), could improve the development of individually cultured embryos.

Methods: Mouse embryos were cultured individually in 2 µL of G1/G2 media in 5% oxygen and supplemented with a range of doses of recombinant mouse or human IL-6.

Adults Hospitalized With Pneumonia in the United States: Incidence, Epidemiology, and Mortality.

Background: Understanding the burden of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is critical to allocate resources for prevention, management, and research. The objectives of this study were to define incidence, epidemiology, and mortality of adult patients hospitalized with CAP in the city of Louisville, and to estimate burden of CAP in the US adult population.

Methods: This was a prospective population-based cohort study of adult residents in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1 June 2014 to 31 May 2016.

Cholangiocarcinoma - evolving concepts and therapeutic strategies.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a disease entity comprising diverse epithelial tumours with features of cholangiocyte differentiation: cholangiocarcinomas are categorized according to anatomical location as intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), or distal (dCCA). Each subtype has a distinct epidemiology, biology, prognosis, and strategy for clinical management. The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma, particularly iCCA, has increased globally over the past few decades.