Neighbourhood environments and cognitive health in the longitudinal Personality and Total Health (PATH) through life study: A 12-year follow-up of older Australians.

Background: Urban neighbourhood environments may impact older adults' cognitive health. However, longitudinal studies examining key environmental correlates of cognitive health are lacking. We estimated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of neighbourhood built and natural environments and ambient air pollution with multiple cognitive health outcomes in Australian urban dwellers aged 60+ years.

Qualitative and Economic Impact of Standardized and Digitalized Operation Room Processes in Obesity Surgery.

Purpose: The introduction of innovative digital solutions in healthcare lags compared to other industries but promises high potential to create value in efficiency and quality. Increasing economic pressure forces hospitals to optimize operating room (OR) processes, in which such solutions might provide additional support.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective case-control and monocentric study investigated if digitalized and standardized intraoperative surgical workflows of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) have a significant impact on efficiency, quality, and economics.

Evaluation of 2- and 3-dimensional anatomic parameters of C-shaped root canals with cone beam computed tomography, microcomputed tomography, and nanocomputed tomography.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate 2-dimensional (2D) and 3D morphometric parameters of C-shaped root canals on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and microcomputed tomography (microCT) images using nanocomputed tomography (nanoCT) as the reference standard.

Study Design: Sixty mandibular molars with C-shaped canals were individually scanned using nanoCT and microCT. Cone beam computed tomography acquisitions were then performed with 4 CBCT systems, using high and standard resolutions.

The Economic Impact of Standardization and Digitalization in the Operating Room: A Systematic Literature Review.

Hospital face increased resource constraints and competition. This escalates the need for efficiency optimization especially in resource-intense areas, such as the Operating Room (OR). Efficiency cannot happen at expenses of patient outcomes.

Impact of a digitized workflow for knee endoprothesis implantations on hospital-specific ratios.

Background: The continuous decrease of healthcare resources requires hospitals to improve efficiency while striving to improve quality standards that deliver better patient outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze whether the implementation of digital support systems during orthopedic surgery positively affected clinical processes and quality ratios.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study of 297 knee joint replacement procedures was conducted between 2015 and 2020.

Vegetation and vehicle emissions around primary schools across urban Australia: associations with academic performance.

Background: Evolving evidence suggests that vegetation surrounding schools is beneficial to children's academic performance, however vehicle emissions are adversely related. Little is known about concurrent impacts of vegetation and vehicle emissions on academic performance. This study examined associations of vegetation and vehicle emissions near urban Australian primary schools with children's academic performance.

Intermittent BRAF inhibition in advanced BRAF mutated melanoma results of a phase II randomized trial.

Combination treatment with BRAF (BRAFi) plus MEK inhibitors (MEKi) has demonstrated survival benefit in patients with advanced melanoma harboring activating BRAF mutations. Previous preclinical studies suggested that an intermittent dosing of these drugs could delay the emergence of resistance. Contrary to expectations, the first published phase 2 randomized study comparing continuous versus intermittent schedule of dabrafenib (BRAFi) plus trametinib (MEKi) demonstrated a detrimental effect of the "on-off" schedule.

Combined FGFR and Akt pathway inhibition abrogates growth of FGFR1 overexpressing EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cells.

EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is inevitable. Identification of resistance mechanisms and corresponding targeting strategies can lead to more successful later-line treatment in many patients. Using spectrometry-based proteomics, we identified increased fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) expression and Akt activation across erlotinib, gefitinib, and osimertinib EGFR-TKI-resistant cell line models.

Camera-LiDAR Multi-Level Sensor Fusion for Target Detection at the Network Edge.

There have been significant advances regarding target detection in the autonomous vehicle context. To develop more robust systems that can overcome weather hazards as well as sensor problems, the sensor fusion approach is taking the lead in this context. Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and camera sensors are two of the most used sensors for this task since they can accurately provide important features such as target´s depth and shape.

Clinicopathologic Features and Response to Therapy of Fusion-Driven Lung Cancers: The eNRGy1 Global Multicenter Registry.

Purpose: Although fusions are oncogenic drivers across multiple tumor types including lung cancers, these are difficult to study because of their rarity. The global eNRGy1 registry was thus established to characterize fusion-positive lung cancers in the largest and most diverse series to date.

Methods: From June 2018 to February 2020, a consortium of 22 centers from nine countries in Europe, Asia, and the United States contributed data from patients with pathologically confirmed fusion-positive lung cancers.

Associations of traffic-related air pollution and greenery with academic outcomes among primary schoolchildren.

Background: There is preliminary evidence that greenery/greenspace around schools may be positively associated with children's cognitive development and academic outcomes, whereas traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) may have a detrimental effect. Few studies have examined pathways between both exposures and academic outcomes. This study aimed to assess associations between greenery, road traffic density (a proxy for TRAP) surrounding primary (elementary) schools, and academic achievement of primary schoolchildren in Melbourne, Australia.

The Demola model as a public policy tool boosting collaboration in innovation: A comparative study between Finland and Spain.

The next generation of Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) policies will be defined by mission orientation and co-creation processes and implemented by dynamic public-private partnerships. However, the experience of European countries up to now in attempting to boost cooperation in innovation reveals a very different story. Beyond some contextual factors, the characteristics of the agents involved, the dynamics of their relationships and the design of the collaboration tools also have a critical influence at organisational level.

Impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms on the efficacy and toxicity of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are the treatment of choice for advanced-stage (IIIB-IV) NSCLC patients with mutations in EGFR. However, EGFR-TKIs clinical outcomes vary from person to person and these inter-individual differences may be due to genetic factors such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs in genes involved in EGFR-TKIs pharmacodynamics, metabolism and mechanism of action have been demonstrated to be associated with response, survival and toxicity in advanced NSCLC patients treated with EGFR-TKIs.

Characterising acquired resistance to erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

: The therapy of patients with lung adenocarcinoma has significantly changed after the discovery of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. EGFR mutations occur in 10-15% of Caucasian lung cancer patients and are associated with favorable outcome to orally administered EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), like erlotinib. However, as soon as the tumor cells are under the pressure of the specific inhibitor, compensatory signaling pathways are activated and resistance emerges.

Association between the novel classification of lung adenocarcinoma subtypes and EGFR/KRAS mutation status: A systematic literature review and pooled-data analysis.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the association of EGFR/KRAS mutation status with histological subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) based on the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification.

Methods: Pubmed and Cochrane databases were searched from January 2011 to June 2018 for studies that included patients with LAC who underwent surgical resection were classified according to the new IASLC/ATS/ERS classification. EGFR/KRAS status assessment was requireded.

A Single-Center Retrospective Study of Patients with Double Primary Cancers: Breast Cancer and EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Second primary malignancies (SPM) in the lung are not common in breast cancer (BC) patients. EGFR-mutant lung cancer (LC) is a separate molecular subset, and the co-existence of EGFR-mutant LC and BC has not been explored. We hypothesized that EGFR-mutant LC patients could have higher rates of primary BC than those with EGFR-wild type (WT).

Consensus statement on physical rehabilitation in children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta.

On the occasion of the 13th International Conference on Osteogenesis imperfecta in August 2017 an expert panel was convened to develop an international consensus paper regarding physical rehabilitation in children and adolescents with Osteogenesis imperfecta. The experts were chosen based on their clinical experience with children with osteogenesis imperfecta and were identified by sending out questionnaires to specialized centers and patient organizations in 26 different countries. The final expert-group included 16 representatives (12 physiotherapists, two occupational therapists and two medical doctors) from 14 countries.

Possible application of circulating free tumor DNA in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Liquid biopsies have been heralded as a game changer in cancer management. Blood tests offer a minimally invasive, safe and sensitive complementary (or even alternative) approach for tissue biopsies. With lung cancer being the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, due to the limitations of tissue sampling, liquid biopsies must urgently materialize in the clinic.

Convergent Akt activation drives acquired EGFR inhibitor resistance in lung cancer.

Non-small-cell lung cancer patients with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations typically benefit from EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. However, virtually all patients succumb to acquired EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance that occurs via diverse mechanisms. The diversity and unpredictability of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance mechanisms presents a challenge for developing new treatments to overcome EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance.

Interleukins as new prognostic genetic biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Surgery is the standard treatment for early-stage NSCLC, and platinum-based chemotherapy remains as the treatment of choice for advanced-stage NSCLC patients with naïve EGFR status. However, overall 5-years relative survival rates are low. Interleukins (ILs) are crucial for processes associated with tumor development.

Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling in EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Gefitinib, erlotinib or afatinib are the current treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring an activating mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), but less than 5% of patients achieve a complete response and the median progression-free survival is no longer than 12 months. Early adaptive resistance can occur as soon as two hours after starting treatment by activating signal transducer and activation of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. We investigated the activation of STAT3 in a panel of gefitinib-sensitive EGFR mutant cell lines, and gefitinib-resistant PC9 cell lines developed in our laboratory.

Contribution of genetic factors to platinum-based chemotherapy sensitivity and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

Although platinum-based chemotherapy remains the standard treatment for advanced NSCLC patients, clinical outcomes are poor and most patients develop high-grade toxicities. Genetic factors, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in platinum pharmacodynamics, metabolism and mechanism of action, may account for inter-individual differences shown in effectiveness and toxicity. Polymorphisms in genes involved in DNA repair and others such as PI3K/PTEN/AKT and TGF-β pathways have been demonstrated to be associated with response, survival and toxicity in advanced NSCLC patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Liquid biopsy in early stage lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths worldwide. Surgery is the standard treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, 30% to 80% of these patients will die within 5 yearS of diagnosis.

Melanoma: oncogenic drivers and the immune system.

Advances and in-depth understanding of the biology of melanoma over the past 30 years have contributed to a change in the consideration of melanoma as one of the most therapy-resistant malignancies. The finding that oncogenic BRAF mutations drive tumor growth in up to 50% of melanomas led to a molecular therapy revolution for unresectable and metastatic disease. Moving beyond BRAF, inactivation of immune regulatory checkpoints that limit T cell responses to melanoma has provided targets for cancer immunotherapy.