Real-world evaluation of physiotherapist-led exercise prehabilitation and rehabilitation during autologous stem cell transplantation in myeloma: a single-centre experience.

Background: There is emerging evidence for the role of exercise in optimising function, quality of life (QoL) and reducing hospital length-of-stay if commenced prior to undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). A local pilot study of a prehabilitation and rehabilitation intervention during ASCT for myeloma patients indicated promising results and was adapted to translate into local clinical care. The aim of this report is to describe an overview of a newly implemented physiotherapist-led exercise prehabilitation and rehabilitation service delivered as part of the myeloma ASCT pathway, and present real-world findings related to changes in function and QoL.

Noninvasive Stool RNA Test Approximates Disease Activity in Patients With Crohn's Disease.

Background And Aims: Management of Crohn's disease (CD) requires frequent monitoring for disease activity and response to therapy. In this study, we examined the clinical utility of a novel stool-derived eukaryotic RNA (seRNA)-based diagnostic in patients with CD.

Methods: Stool samples were collected from 68 individuals for up to 3 time points prior to, and after initiation of an advanced therapy.

Analytical Validation of the Multitarget Stool RNA Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening.

The multitarget stool RNA (mt-sRNA) test (ColoSense) is a noninvasive diagnostic test that screens for colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas in average-risk individuals aged 45 years and older. The mt-sRNA test incorporates a commercially available fecal immunochemical test, concentration of eight RNA transcripts, and participant-reported smoking status. As part of the CRC-PREVENT (Colorectal Cancer and Pre-Cancerous Adenoma Non-Invasive Detection Test) clinical trial, 12 analytical validation studies were conducted to assess analytical sensitivity, linearity, precision, interfering substances, cross-reactivity, carry-over, cross-contamination, and robustness.

The impact of continuous lenalidomide maintenance treatment on people living with multiple myeloma-a single-centre, qualitative service evaluation study.

Purpose: Continuous lenalidomide maintenance treatment after autologous stem cell transplantation delivers improvement in progression free and overall survival among newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients and has been the standard of care in the UK since March 2021. However, there is scant information about its impact on patients' day-to-day lives. This service evaluation aimed to qualitatively assess patients receiving lenalidomide treatment at a cancer centre in London, in order that the service might better align with needs and expectations of patients.

Aerosol absorption measurement by a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor.

Researchers at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command have developed a method for quantifying high energy near-infrared (NIR) laser heating of air resulting from laser absorption of suspended dry aerosols in a controlled environmental chamber.

Study on two nematode species suggests climate change will inflict greater crop damage.

Food security has become one of the greatest challenges of the millennium and it is predicted to be exacerbated by climate change due to the adverse effects of soil temperature on crop productivity. Although plant-parasitic nematodes are one of the most important limiting factors of agricultural production, the fate of soil temperature in their biology is not fully understood. Here we present the effects of soil temperature on survival, reproduction, virulence, and disease severity from the perspective of two nematode species Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne floridensis.

The views and experiences of people with myeloma referred for autologous stem cell transplantation, who declined to participate in a physiotherapist-led exercise trial: a qualitative study.

Background: Recruitment rates to rehabilitation trials are variable among cancer survivors, and deeper investigation into the causes for declining participation is needed. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the experiences of people with myeloma referred for autologous stem cell transplant who were approached to take part in a physiotherapist-led exercise trial but declined.

Methods: Participants were asked to participate in this qualitative study after declining to participate in a trial conducted at a UK tertiary cancer center.

"What I wanted to do was build myself back up and prepare": qualitative findings from the PERCEPT trial of prehabilitation during autologous stem cell transplantation in myeloma.

Background: The addition of qualitative methodology to randomised controlled trials evaluating complex interventions allows better understanding of contextualised factors and their potential influence on trial delivery and outcomes, as well as opportunities for feedback on trial participation to improve future trial protocols. This study explored the experiences of participation in cancer rehabilitation research during active cancer treatment. Participants were people living with haematological cancer myeloma, undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) recruited to the PERCEPT myeloma pilot trial.

A Qualitative Exploration of Institutional Betrayals in Rural Communities: An Emerging Typology.

To explore individuals' personal narratives of perceived betrayals and injustices committed by institutions, their representatives, or other authority figures and discern in what spheres of life they commonly manifest. 157 adults from largely rural, low-income communities in southern Appalachia participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews that asked them to describe key points in their life experiences, including high points, low points, and turning points. These were reviewed for episodes of institutional betrayals.

Exercise prehabilitation for people with myeloma undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation: results from PERCEPT pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is first line treatment for newly diagnosed patients with myeloma but often results in functional deficits and reduced quality of life (QOL). Physically active myeloma patients have better QOL, less fatigue and reduced morbidity. This trial aimed to investigate the feasibility of a physiotherapist-led exercise intervention delivered across the continuum of the myeloma ASCT pathway at a UK centre.

High patient satisfaction and increased physical activity following a remote multidisciplinary team multiple myeloma clinic.

Purpose: Patients with multiple myeloma suffer from disease-related complications such as bone destruction, toxicities from repeated therapies and age-related co-morbidities. With improved treatment options, patients are living longer and have specific survivorship needs such as low exercise levels that need to be addressed. In this study, we designed, implemented and evaluated a multidisciplinary team (MDT) myeloma clinic that provided participants with tailored exercise and lifestyle advice.

Myeloma patients' experiences of a supervised physical activity programme: a qualitative study.

Purpose: The Myeloma: Advancing Survival Cancer Outcomes Trial (MASCOT) tested the impact of a supervised exercise programme on fatigue, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes in multiple myeloma [MM] patients. The current study explored MM patients' experiences of the programme to guide future interventions.

Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit stable MM patients participating in MASCOT.

Detection of and Powassan Virus Lineage II (Deer Tick Virus) from Harvested in Oklahoma.

(white-tailed deer) is the primary host of adult (deer tick). Most of the research into has been geographically restricted to the northeastern United States, with limited interest in Oklahoma until recently as the populations spread due to climate change. Ticks serve as a vector for pathogenic bacteria, protozoans, and viruses that pose a significant human health risk.

Adaptation of the PERCEPT myeloma prehabilitation trial to virtual delivery: changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction And Objective: Research activity was impacted by the novel COVID-19 pandemic, the PERCEPT myeloma trial was no exception. This pilot randomised trial delivered a face-to-face exercise intervention prior to and during autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in myeloma patients, as a consequence of COVID-19 it required significant adaptions to continue. This brief communication describes how the previously published study protocol was adapted for virtual delivery.

Immune biomarkers and response to checkpoint inhibition of BRAF and BRAF non-V600 altered lung cancers.

Background: While 2-4% of lung cancers possess alterations in BRAF, little is known about the immune responsiveness of these tumours.

Methods: Clinical and genomic data were collected from 5945 patients with lung cancers whose tumours underwent next-generation sequencing between 2015 and 2018. Patients were followed through 2020.

Multiple myeloma and physical activity.

Objective: Physical activity has been shown to improve quality of life in cancer patients with some evidence in multiple myeloma. This study aimed to determine myeloma patients' exercise levels, their perception of physical activity, and to explore correlations with quality of life. Myeloma outpatients were invited to complete a number of questionnaires, including the Godin leisure-time exercise questionnaire (GLTEQ) to determine their exercise levels, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) questionnaire to assess health related quality of life, and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire to assess fatigue.

Factors associated with high pain catastrophizing in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to determine if physical, mental health and patient-specific factors are associated with increased Pain Catastrophizing in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were included if they completed a standard pre-operative questionnaire which included the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), VAS and 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) Physical and Mental Composite Scores.

Antimicrobial and biofilm-disrupting nanostructured TiO2 coating demonstrating photoactivity and dark activity.

Antimicrobial materials are tools used to reduce the transmission of infectious microorganisms. Photo-illuminated titania (TiO2) is a known antimicrobial material. Used as a coating on door handles and similar surfaces, it may reduce viability and colonization by pathogens and limit their spread.

Outpatient clinical pharmacy practice in the face of COVID-19 at a cancer center in New York City.

Purpose: With the rapid spread of COVID-19 in New York City since early March 2020, innovative measures were needed for clinical pharmacy specialists to provide direct clinical care safely to cancer patients. Allocating the workforce was necessary to meet the surging needs of the inpatient services due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which had the potential to compromise outpatient services. We present here our approach of restructuring clinical pharmacy services and providing direct patient care in outpatient clinics during the pandemic.

Pregnancies and Time to Pregnancy in Women With and Without a Previous Chlamydia trachomatis Infection.

Background: A Chlamydia trachomatis infection (chlamydia) can result in tubal factor infertility in women. To assess if this association results in fewer pregnant women, we aimed to assess pregnancy incidences and time to pregnancy among women with a previous chlamydia infection compared with women without one and who were participating in the Netherlands Chlamydia Cohort Study (NECCST).

Methods: The NECCST is a cohort of women of reproductive age tested for chlamydia in a chlamydia screening trial between 2008 and 2011 and reinvited for NECCST in 2015 to 2016.

Fatigue, quality of life and physical fitness following an exercise intervention in multiple myeloma survivors (MASCOT): an exploratory randomised Phase 2 trial utilising a modified Zelen design.

Background: Exercise may improve fatigue in multiple myeloma survivors, but trial evidence is limited, and exercise may be perceived as risky in this older patient group with osteolytic bone destruction.

Methods: In this Phase 2 Zelen trial, multiple myeloma survivors who had completed treatment at least 6 weeks ago, or were on maintenance only, were enrolled in a cohort study and randomly assigned to usual care or a 6-month exercise programme of tailored aerobic and resistance training. Outcome assessors and usual care participants were masked.

The adapted Zelen was a feasible design to trial exercise in myeloma survivors.

Objectives: We used a method rarely seen in cancer behavioral trials to explore methods of overcoming difficulties often seen in randomized controlled trials. We report our experiences of the adapted Zelen design, so that other researchers can consider this approach for behavioral trials.

Study Design And Setting: The adapted Zelen design was used to explore the effects of exercise on multiple myeloma patients fatigue, quality of life, and physical outcomes.

PERCEPT myeloma: a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of exercise prehabilitation before and during autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma.

Introduction: Myeloma, a blood cancer originating from plasma cells, is the most common indication for autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT). Patients with myeloma undergoing autologous SCT (ASCT) experience treatment-related morbidity and reduction in function and well-being for many months post-treatment. Interventions targeting physical functioning delivered prior to and during SCT have shown promising results in mixed haematological populations and may offer a non-pharmacological solution to physically optimising and preparing patients for SCT.

Reduced oxygen concentration during human IVF culture improves embryo utilization and cumulative pregnancy rates per cycle.

Study Question: Do different oxygen levels during human IVF embryo culture affect embryo utilization, cumulative IVF success rates per cycle and neonatal birthweight?

Summary Answer: After 2 days of culture, a lower oxygen level (5%) leads to more good-quality embryos and more embryos that can be cryopreserved, and thereby to a higher cumulative live birth rate per cycle when compared to embryo culture in 20% oxygen, while birthweights are similar.

What Is Known Already: Several studies have compared IVF outcome parameters after embryo culture in a more physiological level of 5% oxygen and the atmospheric level of 20%. Although there is consensus that embryo development improves in 5% oxygen, effects on pregnancy and live birth rates are mainly seen in blastocyst, but not cleavage-stage transfers.

C-reactive protein as a marker of persistent infection is not associated with tubal factor infertility-an independent clinical validation study.

Study Question: Does C-reactive protein (CRP), as a marker of persisting low-grade inflammation, identify IgG antibody test (CAT)-positive women who are at the highest risk for tubal factor infertility (TFI)?

Summary Answer: No association was found between slightly elevated CRP (seCRP) levels and TFI in our CAT-positive patient population.

What Is Known Already: In the fertility work-up, CAT is used to estimate the risk for TFI and to select high-risk patients for additional invasive diagnostic procedures (e.g.