In vitro impacts of glyphosate on manatee lymphocytes.

Exposure to contaminants, such as the herbicide glyphosate, can suppress protective immune functions. Glyphosate is the herbicide most used worldwide and has been found in the plasma of more than 50 % of the Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and all-year-round in their aquatic environment. Our objectives were to analyze the consequences of glyphosate exposure on their immune responses via T-lymphocyte proliferation assays and transcriptomics.

Feasibility of an environmental scan-based approach to collecting information about factors impacting cancer genetics services in Latin American countries.

Objective: Clinical cancer genetics services are expanding globally, but national policy and health care systems influence availability and implementation. Understanding the environmental factors within a country is required to appropriately implement, adapt, and evaluate cancer genetics service delivery models. An environmental scan (ES) is an approach used in business, public health, health care and other sectors to collect information about an environment or system for strategic decision making and program planning.

Human in vivo baseline intrarenal pressure, peristaltic activity and response to ureteric stenting.

Objectives: To assess human in vivo intrarenal pressure (IRP) and peristaltic activity at baseline and after ureteric stent placement, using a narrow calibre pressure guidewire placed retrogradely in the renal pelvis.

Patients And Methods: A prospective, multi-institutional study recruiting consenting patients undergoing ureteroscopy was designed with ethical approval. Prior to ureteroscopy, the urinary bladder was emptied and the COMET™ II pressure guidewire (Boston Scientific) was advanced retrogradely via the ureteric orifice to the renal pelvis.

Implementation and Evaluation of a Multi-level, Place-Based Tobacco Prevention and Control Program at a Minority-Serving Institution in Texas.

Multi-level, place-based interventions have proven effective at promoting a range of health behaviors, including tobacco control and discouraging the uptake of tobacco products. This paper describes the implementation and impact of a 3-year, multi-level tobacco prevention and control program at a community-college minority-serving institution (MSI) on the Texas Gulf Coast within the context of a broader multi-sector, cross-functional health coalition. The intervention studied included a tobacco-free policy, a large-scale communication campaign highlighting parts of the intervention and prevention and cessation resources.

Intrarenal pressure with hand-pump or pressurized-bag irrigation: randomized clinical trial at retrograde intrarenal surgery.

Background: The aim was to ascertain the impact of irrigation technique on human intrarenal pressure during retrograde intrarenal surgery.

Methods: A parallel randomized trial recruited patients across three hospital sites. Patients undergoing retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stone treatment with an 11/13-Fr ureteral access sheath were allocated randomly to 100 mmHg pressurized-bag (PB) or manual hand-pump (HP) irrigation.

Surgical treatment of cystic pituitary adenomas: literature-based definitions and postoperative outcomes.

Background And Objectives: To survey the applied definitions of 'cystic' among pituitary adenomas and evaluate whether postoperative outcomes differ relative to non-cystic counterparts.

Methods: A literature search and meta-analysis was performed using PRISMA guidelines. Studies were eligible if novel data were reported regarding the applied definition of 'cystic' and postoperative outcomes among cases of surgically treated pituitary adenomas.

Microindentation of fresh soft biological tissue: A rapid tissue sectioning and mounting protocol.

Microindentation of fresh biological tissues is necessary for the creation of 3D biomimetic models that accurately represent the native extracellular matrix microenvironment. However, tissue must first be precisely sectioned into slices. Challenges exist in the preparation of fresh tissue slices, as they can tear easily and must be processed rapidly in order to mitigate tissue degradation.

Reducing risk for chronic disease: evaluation of a collective community approach to sustainable evidence-based health programming.

Background: Community initiatives can shape health behaviors, such as physical activity and dietary habits, across a population and help reduce the risk of developing chronic disease. To achieve this goal and impact health outcomes, Pasadena Vibrant Community aimed to engage communities in an ongoing dialogue about the importance of healthy behaviors, implement and advance community-based strategies to promote health, and improve diet and physical activity behaviors. The initiative was centered around a collaboration between a backbone organization, steering committee, and 7 collaborating organizations funded to implement multicomponent, evidence-based programs.

Cost-effectiveness of a novel urethral catheter safety device in preventing catheterization injuries in the UK.

Aims: Intraurethral catheter balloon inflation is a substantial contributor to significant catheter-related urethral injury. A novel safety valve has been designed to prevent these balloon-inflation injuries. The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the cost-effectiveness of urethral catheterisation with the safety valve added to a Foley catheter versus the current standard of care (Foley catheter alone).

Mechanical characteristics of the ureter and clinical implications.

The ureteric wall is a complex multi-layered structure. The ureter shows variation in passive mechanical properties, histological morphology and insertion forces along the anatomical length. Ureter mechanical properties also vary depending on the direction of tensile testing and the anatomical region tested.

Inferior Petrosal Sinus Sampling Tumor Lateralization and the Surgical Treatment of Cushing Disease: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

Objective: To determine whether accurate inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) tumor lateralization is associated with improved clinical outcomes following the surgical treatment of Cushing disease.

Methods: The presented study was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Data regarding patient demographics, IPSS tumor lateralization, and postoperative endocrinologic outcomes were abstracted and pooled with random effects meta-analysis models.

Be Well™ Acres Homes: a community-driven, evidence-based approach to reduce health inequities through sustained cross-sector partnership.

Purpose: Be Well Communities™ is MD Anderson's signature place-based approach for cancer prevention and control, working with communities to promote wellness and address modifiable risk factors for cancer. The purpose of this paper is to describe implementation of the planning phase of the Be Well Communities model in Acres Homes which began in 2019.

Methods: A community advisory group (Steering Committee) including residents, non-profit organizations, health care partners, city and county agencies, plus other stakeholders, was convened and aligned through a structured process to develop shared goals, foster multisector collaboration, as measured by a stakeholder survey administered twice, and enhance community capacity to improve health outcomes through development of a Community Action Plan.

In vivo ureteroscopic intrarenal pressures and clinical outcomes: a multi-institutional analysis of 120 consecutive patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the pressure range generated in the human renal collecting system during ureteroscopy (URS), in a large patient sample, and to investigate a relationship between intrarenal pressure (IRP) and outcome.

Patients And Methods: A prospective multi-institutional study was conducted, with ethics board approval; February 2022-March 2023. Recruitment was of 120 consecutive consenting adult patients undergoing semi-rigid URS and/or flexible ureterorenoscopy (FURS) for urolithiasis or diagnostic purposes.

Improvements in the Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Resection of Craniopharyngiomas: A Global Learning Curve.

Background: Surgical management of craniopharyngiomas is nuanced and has varied in terms of the selected approach and aggressiveness of resection over time. In the past several decades, the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach has become commonly used for craniopharyngioma resection. There is a well characterized institutional 'learning curve' regarding endoscopic transsphenoidal approaches for craniopharyngiomas at specialized centers; however, the broader global learning curve remains to be characterized.

Creating and Activating an Implementation Community to Drive HPV Vaccine Uptake in Texas: The Role of an NCI-Designated Cancer Center.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), defines its service population area as the State of Texas (29.1 M), the second most populous state in the country and the state with the greatest number of uninsured residents in the United States. Consistent with a novel and formal commitment to prevention as part of its core mission, alongside clear opportunities in Texas to drive vaccine uptake, MD Anderson assembled a transdisciplinary team to develop an institutional Framework to increase adolescent HPV vaccination and reduce HPV-related cancer burden.

Mechanical and morphological characterisation of porcine urethras for the assessment of paediatric urinary catheter safety.

Paediatric urinary catheters are often necessary in critical care settings or to address congenital anomalies affecting the urogenital system. Iatrogenic injuries can occur during the placement of such catheters, highlighting the need for a safety device that can function in paediatric settings. Despite successful efforts to develop devices that improve the safety of adult urinary catheters, no such devices are available for use with paediatric catheters.

Enhancing the utilization of healthy living interventions among cancer survivors in historically underserved populations and communities.

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and wellness programming preferences of cancer survivors from Acres Homes, a historically Black neighborhood in Houston, Texas, with areas of persistent poverty. The goal of this study was to identify opportunities to increase cancer survivor utilization of healthy eating and active living interventions aligned to cancer center community outreach and engagement efforts.

Methods: This multiple methods study included a retrospective review of electronic health record data (n = 413) and qualitative interviews with cancer survivors (n = 31) immediately preceding initiation of healthy eating, active living programming in Acres Homes.

Case report: , and novel sp. infections in an adult Atlantic spotted dolphin ().

A complete postmortem examination, including a computed tomography scan "virtopsy" (virtual necropsy), gross necropsy, cytology, histology, and molecular diagnostics were performed to investigate the cause of death of a deceased adult male Atlantic spotted dolphin () that stranded on Pensacola Beach, Florida, USA in February 2020. Significant findings included chronic inflammation of the meninges, brain, and spinal cord with intralesional protozoa (identified as 18S rRNA and ITS-1 sequences), suppurative fungal tracheitis and bronchopneumonia (identified as ITS-2 gene sequence) and ulcerative bacterial glossitis (associated with a novel species, Treponema stenella, identified 23S rRNA gene sequence). This is the first reported case of in a marine mammal.

Comparing Surgical Approaches for Craniopharyngioma Resection Among Adults and Children: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

Background: Craniopharyngioma treatment often necessitates surgical resection. Conventional approaches, such as transcranial and transsphenoidal approaches, are predominantly used. However, a recently adopted supraorbital approach may be more efficacious.

Outcomes of the "BRCA Quality Improvement Dissemination Program": An initiative to improve patient receipt of cancer genetics services at five health systems.

Objective: A quality improvement initiative (QII) was conducted with five community-based health systems' oncology care centers (sites A-E). The QII aimed to increase referrals, genetic counseling (GC), and germline genetic testing (GT) for patients with ovarian cancer (OC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods: QII activities occurred at sites over several years, all concluding by December 2020.

Comparison of macroscale and microscale mechanical properties of fresh and fixed-frozen porcine colonic tissue.

Mechanical changes to the microenvironment of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in tissue have been hypothesised to elicit a pathogenic response in the surrounding cells. Hence, 3D scaffolds are a popular method of studying cellular behaviour under conditions that mimic in vivo microenvironment. To create a 3D biomimetic scaffold that captures the in vivo ECM microenvironment a robust mechanical characterisation of the whole ECM at the microscale is necessary.

A Comprehensive Program to Reduce Tobacco-related Cancers Through Actions by a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center.

Tobacco use accounts for 30% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide and 20% in the US, despite effective, evidence-based interventions for reducing tobacco use and tobacco-related cancers and deaths. In 2012, to reduce the burden of tobacco-related cancer and associated population-level risks across Texas, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center initiated the EndTobacco program to promote statewide cancer control activities. We created evidence-based initiatives, established selection criteria, and implemented actions involving policy, education, and tobacco treatment services.

Spiral Laminar Flow is Associated with a Reduction in Disturbed Shear in Patient-Specific Models of an Arteriovenous Fistula.

Purpose: Areas of disturbed shear that arise following arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation are believed to contribute to the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH). The presence of helical flow can suppress areas of disturbed shear, which may protect the vasculature from IH. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine if helical flow, specifically spiral laminar flow (SLF), is present in patient-specific AVF models and is associated with a reduction in exposure to disturbed shear.

Implementation and outcome evaluations of a multi-site improvement program in cancer genetics.

Program evaluation can identify the successes and challenges of implementing clinical programs, which can inform future dissemination efforts. A cancer genetics improvement program, disseminated from the Lead Team's institution to five health systems (Participating Sites), was genetic counselor led, using virtual implementation facilitation to support Participating Sites' performance of quality improvement (QI) activities over several years. Program implementation and outcome evaluations were performed and included evaluation of program delivery and initial effects of the program on Participating Sites.

A Prospective Multi-Institutional Evaluation of Iatrogenic Urethral Catheterization Injuries.

Objectives: To perform a multi-institutional investigation of incidence and outcomes of urethral trauma sustained during attempted catheterization.

Patients & Methods: A prospective, multi-center study was conducted over a designated 3-4 month period, incorporating seven academic hospitals across the UK and Ireland. Cases of urethral trauma arising from attempted catheterization were recorded.