Success of Ultra-low Dose Radiation Therapy for Primary Cutaneous B-cell Lymphoma.

Objectives: Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL) is a relatively rare disease, associated with 5-year overall survival of nearly 95% when treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) alone. However, standard EBRT doses yield acute skin toxicity in more than 70% of patients and grade 3 to 4 acute skin toxicity in nearly 10% of patients. Consequently, the PCBCL treatment paradigm is shifting towards lower EBRT doses.

A systematic review of endometrial cancer clinical research in Africa.

Background: Women in Africa are experiencing a rising burden of endometrial cancer. Research and investment to improve treatment and outcomes are critically needed. We systematically reviewed and characterized endometrial cancer-related research within a clinically relevant context to help organize and assess existing endometrial cancer research in Africa.

Navigator utilization among African-American breast cancer patients at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Background: Patient navigation has been demonstrated to improve access to standard-of-care oncologic therapy. However, many patients - particularly those of African-American race - often do not have access to navigation upon receiving a diagnosis of cancer. As the most common cancer among African-American women is breast cancer, we sought to assess the rate of patient navigation among African-American breast cancer patients at our institution, which resides in a regional ZIP code comprised of 46% African-American residents.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is Associated with Increased Rates of Adjacent Segment Disease Following TLIF: A Propensity Matched Study.

Background: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a collection of connective tissue disorders which are often associated with tissue laxity and disc degeneration. However, the implications of EDS on the risk of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are not well described. The objective of this study is to compare the rates of ASD among patients with EDS and those without EDS.

Cannabis Use is Associated With Higher Rates of Pseudarthrosis Following TLIF: A Multi-Institutional Matched-Cohort Study.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare the rates of pseudarthrosis in patients undergoing 1 to 3 level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures between cannabis users and noncannabis users.

Summary Of Background Data: Recreational use of cannabis is common, though it remains poorly studied and legally ambiguous in the United States.

Preoperative HbA1c and Postoperative Outcomes in Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of previous studies on HbA1c in preoperative risk stratification in patients undergoing spinal procedures and provide an overview of the consensus recommendations.

Summary Of Background Data: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycemia have been shown to be independent risk factors for increased surgical complications.

TLIF is Associated With Lower Rates of Adjacent Segment Disease and Complications Compared to ALIF: A Matched-Cohort Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To compare the rate of adjacent segment disease (ASD) in patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) versus transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of degenerative stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: ALIF and TLIF are frequently used to treat Lumbar stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

Do Obese Patients Lose Weight After Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Obesity is a major health care concern in the United States and is associated with high rates of postoperative complications after spine surgery. Obese patients assert that weight reduction is not possible unless spine surgery first relieves their pain and concomitant immobility. We describe the post-spine surgery effects on patient weight, with an emphasis on obesity.

Lumbar Arthroplasty Is Associated With a Lower Incidence of Adjacent Segment Disease Compared With ALIF: A Propensity-matched Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the rate of adjacent segment disease (ASD) between lumbar disk arthroplasty (LDA) and anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF).

Summary Of Background Data: LDA and ALIF are alternative surgical approaches used to treat lumbar degenerative disk disease.

Laminectomy With Fusion is Associated With Greater Functional Improvement Compared With Laminectomy Alone for the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare outcomes and complications profile of laminectomy alone versus laminectomy and fusion for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Summary Of Background Data: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is a common cause of back pain and functional impairment.

Open Abdomen in Elderly Patients With Surgical Sepsis: Predictors of Mortality.

Introduction: Elderly patients are frequently presenting with emergency surgical conditions. The open abdomen technique is widely used in abdominal emergencies needing rapid control of intrabdominal contamination. However, specific predictors of mortality identifying candidates for comfort care are understudied.

Underrepresented Minority Composition of Invited Panelists at the 2021 ASTRO Annual Meeting.

Purpose: The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting is one of the primary venues for radiation oncologists to present new research, network, and share innovations. In this brief report, we describe the racial representation of invited physician speakers at the Annual Meeting relative to the specialty.

Methods And Materials: The program list of all invited educational sessions and panel speakers in the ASTRO annual meetings from 2021 was accessed via the ASTRO website.

Novel 3D magnetic resonance fingerprinting radiomics in adult brain tumors: a feasibility study.

Objectives: To test the feasibility of using 3D MRF maps with radiomics analysis and machine learning in the characterization of adult brain intra-axial neoplasms.

Methods: 3D MRF acquisition was performed on 78 patients with newly diagnosed brain tumors including 33 glioblastomas (grade IV), 6 grade III gliomas, 12 grade II gliomas, and 27 patients with brain metastases. Regions of enhancing tumor, non-enhancing tumor, and peritumoral edema were segmented and radiomics analysis with gray-level co-occurrence matrices and gray-level run-length matrices was performed.

Delayed fascial closure in nontrauma abdominal emergencies: A nationwide analysis.

Background: Initially used in trauma management, delayed abdominal closure endeavors to decrease operative time during the index operation while still being lifesaving. Its use in emergency general surgery is increasing, but the data evaluating its outcome are sparse. We aimed to study the association between delayed abdominal closure, mortality, morbidity, and length of stay in an emergency surgery cohort.

Complicated Abdominal Wall Hernias in the Elderly: Time Is Life and Comorbidities Matter.

Background: Abdominal wall hernias represent a common problem that can present as surgical emergencies with increased morbidity and mortality. The data examining outcomes in elderly patients with hernia emergencies is scant.

Methods: The 2007-2017 ACS-NSQIP database was queried.

Radiomic analysis of magnetic resonance fingerprinting in adult brain tumors.

Purpose: This is a radiomics study investigating the ability of texture analysis of MRF maps to improve differentiation between intra-axial adult brain tumors and to predict survival in the glioblastoma cohort.

Methods: Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) acquisition was performed on 31 patients across 3 groups: 17 glioblastomas, 6 low-grade gliomas, and 8 metastases. Using regions of interest for the solid tumor and peritumoral white matter on T1 and T2 maps, second-order texture features were calculated from gray-level co-occurrence matrices and gray-level run length matrices.

Morbidity and Mortality After Burr Hole Craniostomy Versus Craniotomy for Chronic Subdural Hematoma Evacuation: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Chronic subdural hematomas (cSDHs) are common neurosurgical pathological entities and typically occur after trauma in elderly patients. The 2 most commonly used strategies for treatment have included burr hole drainage and craniotomy with decompression. However, the choice of these procedures has remained controversial and has been primarily determined by surgeon preference.

Concordance of angiography and cerebral biopsy results for suspected primary central nervous system vasculitis: A multi-center retrospective review.

Objective: Primary CNS Vasculitis (PCNSV) is a rare disease that is often challenging to diagnose. Cerebral angiography and biopsy have been utilized in the diagnostic workup for several decades but limited literature reports on the concordance of findings of angiography and biopsy. The primary objective of this work was to examine how cerebral angiography corresponded with biopsy findings in patients with suspected PCNSV.

High Dietary Intake of Specific Fatty Acids Increases Risk of Flares in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis in Remission During Treatment With Aminosalicylates.

Background & Aims: Dietary factors may have a significant role in relapse of disease among patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the relationship between diet and UC is inadequately understood. We analyzed data from the diet's role in exacerbations of mesalamine maintenance study to determine whether dietary factors affect the risk of disease flares in patients with UC.

Blood-based biomarkers used to predict disease activity in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Background: Identifying specific genes that are differentially expressed during inflammatory bowel disease flares may help stratify disease activity. The aim of this study was to identify panels of genes to be able to distinguish disease activity in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Patients were grouped into categories based on disease and severity determined by histological grading.

Synthesis and characterization of a redox-active ion channel supporting cation flux in lipid bilayers.

The synthesis, cation binding and transmembrane conductive properties of a novel synthetic ion channel containing a redox-active ferrocene unit are described. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that the channel supports multiple ion coordination and association constants for 1:1 and 1:2 (channel:cation) coordination for both Na(+) and K(+) were evaluated. Experiments using a black lipid membrane preparation revealed that this compound functioned effectively as an ion channel for both Na(+) and K(+).