Evaluating pre-consult patient education videos for patients with newly-diagnosed anal squamous cell carcinoma: Impact on patient comprehension, satisfaction and distress.

We hypothesized that pre-consult patient education videos can improve patient understanding about their diagnosis, lead to high satisfaction and low distress. In this pilot study, we developed a patient education video curriculum for patients with newly-diagnosed anal cancer. Comprehension of key content was evaluated by comparing pre- and post-test scores.

Screening for Toxic Stress Response and Buffering Factors: A Case-Based, Trauma-Informed Approach to Health Equity.

Introduction: Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to a toxic stress response with impacts on health that affect health equity. As part of our Health Equity, Social Justice, and Anti-racism curriculum, our aim was to introduce second-year medical students to a case-based method using a template-based screening and application of toxic stress, buffering factors, and resiliency-fostering tools to address health disparities and inequities with a trauma-informed care approach.

Methods: We developed an asynchronous e-learning module that demonstrated the impact of ACEs by introducing students to screening for toxic stress response and buffering factors on health, their role as health equity determinants, and the use of brief in-clinic resilience-fostering tools in patient care.

A systematic review of immunomodulatory strategies used in skin-containing preclinical vascularized composite allotransplant models.

Background: Acute rejection remains a vexing problem in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA). Available immunosuppressive regimens are successful at minimizing alloimmune response and allowing VCA in humans. However, repeated rejection episodes are common, and systemic side effects of the current standard regimen (Tacrolimus, MMF, Prednisone) are dose limiting.

Dynamic Maxillary Sinus Changes of Facial Vascularized Composite Allotransplants.

Skin is one of the target tissues of rejection in face transplants and, because of its easy accessibility, has become the gold standard in the diagnosis of rejection. The allograft contains deeper tissues where rejection can occur, but samples cannot be obtained because of difficult access. Deep tissue changes were monitored on computed tomographic scans of the midface in six face transplant recipients with the help of image segmentation.

Local immunosuppression in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA): A systematic review.

Background: Local immunosuppression in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) aims to minimize immunosuppressant-related toxic and malignant side effects. Promising allograft survival data have been published by multiple workgroups. In this systematic review, we examine preclinical animal studies that investigated local immunosuppression in VCA.

Has Breast Surgery Shattered the Glass Ceiling? Trends in Female Representation at The American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting 2009-2019.

Background: Our study sought to evaluate gender representation and the impact of gender on the large volume of research presented at The American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) Annual Meeting, the largest breast surgery meeting in the United States.

Methods: Publicly available ASBrS meeting programs and proceedings from 2009 to 2019 were reviewed to ascertain proportions of female engagement in society positions, contributions to scientific sessions, and subsequent manuscript publications. Trend analyses for temporal changes in gender representation and univariate tests of associations between authorship gender and publication success were performed.

Mucosa and Rejection in Facial Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation: A Systematic Review.

Background: Facial vascularized composite allotransplantation (fVCA) presents an established approach to restore form and function of patients with catastrophic facial defects. Skin is one of the target tissues of the rejection process, and due to its easy accessibility has become the gold standard in the diagnosis of rejection. Mucosal rejection frequently occurs; however, the added value of mucosal rejection assessment for patient management is unknown.

Tracey judgement and hospice DNACPR orders: steady as she goes or seismic change?

Objectives: The 2014 Court of Appeals decision with respect to Tracey vs Cambridge University Hospital ('the Tracey judgement') changed the requirements for discussing Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions with patients. This study is a retrospective case note review aiming to identify any changes in practice around discussing DNACPR decisions in hospices following the judgement.

Methods: 150 case notes from 2013 (before the Tracey judgement) were compared with 150 case notes from 2015 (following the Tracey judgement).

Comparison of hepatic transcription profiles of locked ribonucleic acid antisense oligonucleotides: evidence of distinct pathways contributing to non-target mediated toxicity in mice.

Development of LNA gapmers, antisense oligonucleotides used for efficient inhibition of target RNA expression, is limited by non-target mediated hepatotoxicity issues. In the present study, we investigated hepatic transcription profiles of mice administered non-toxic and toxic LNA gapmers. After repeated administration, a toxic LNA gapmer (TS-2), but not a non-toxic LNA gapmer (NTS-1), caused hepatocyte necrosis and increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels.

Preclinical studies of PF-04849285, an interferon-α8 fusion protein for the treatment of HCV.

Background: This study presents preclinical data of a novel interferon (IFN)-α8 fusion protein, PF-04849285, and compares it with IFN-α2 and pegylated IFN-α2; the latter being the current standard of care for HCV.

Methods: The antiviral properties were evaluated in vitro using the HCV replication assay (replicon) and the general encephalomyocarditis virus assay. The binding affinity to both IFNR-subunits was assessed using surface plasmon resonance.

Prostate cancer screening and detection in inner-city and underserved men.

Context: In the era of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, the incidence of prostate cancer has increased dramatically. Simultaneously however, stage migration has occurred, and treatment outcomes have improved. Inner-city men have lower screening rates and, thus, may be diagnosed with more advanced disease that it less likely to be successfully treated.

The role of the African traditional healer in women's health.

Traditional healers provide an important link between the rural people of Africa and primary health care. The purpose of this article is to review more recent literature and contemporary practices related to the role of the traditional healer in Africa and the move toward collaboration with an introduction of Western-style medicine and health care, especially for women. African women, particularly older ones in rural communities, utilize the traditional healer's timeless and ancient caregiving when faced with symptoms of mental and physical illness.

cDNA cloning, expression, purification, distribution, and characterization of biologically active canine alanine aminotransferase-1.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a pyridoxal enzyme found mainly in the liver and kidney, but also in small amounts in the heart, muscle, fat, and brain. Serum aminotransferase activities have been used broadly as surrogate markers for tissue injury and disease in human and veterinary clinical settings and in safety assessment of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Because of its relative abundance in liver, increased serum ALT activity is generally considered indicative of liver damage.

Prevention of organ allograft rejection by a specific Janus kinase 3 inhibitor.

Because of its requirement for signaling by multiple cytokines, Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) is an excellent target for clinical immunosuppression. We report the development of a specific, orally active inhibitor of JAK3, CP-690,550, that significantly prolonged survival in a murine model of heart transplantation and in cynomolgus monkeys receiving kidney transplants. CP-690,550 treatment was not associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or lymphoproliferative disease.

Differentiation of ruminal and human Streptococcus bovis strains by DNA homology and 16s rRNA probes.

Streptococcus bovis is commonly present in the rumen, but strains of S. bovis have also occasionally been isolated from human blood or fecal samples. Studies were undertaken with 16s rRNA gene sequences and DNA hybridizations to define the genetic relationships between these two groups of strains.