The Association of the Microbiome with Melanoma Tumor Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment and Immune-Related Adverse Events (NCT05102773).

Improved understanding of the factors that underlie immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response and toxicity are needed as only half of patients with metastatic melanoma respond, and 10-40% experience immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Modifying the gut microbiome could positively affect response to ICIs and reduce toxicities. Here, we sought to determine if the pre-treatment gut microbiome predicts ICI response or toxicity in the setting of metastatic melanoma.

Comparing In-Person, Standard Telehealth, and Remote Musculoskeletal Examination With a Novel Augmented Reality Exercise Game System: Pilot Cross-Sectional Comparison Study.

Background: Current telemedicine technologies are not fully optimized for conducting physical examinations. The Virtual Remote Tele-Physical Examination (VIRTEPEX) system, a novel proprietary technology platform using a Microsoft Kinect-based augmented reality game system to track motion and estimate force, has the potential to assist with conducting asynchronous, remote musculoskeletal examinations.

Objective: This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of the VIRTEPEX system as a supplement to telehealth musculoskeletal strength assessments.

Prevalence and Correlates of Social Isolation Among Older Adults in Subsidized Housing.

Background And Objectives: Social isolation is an increasing public health concern. Older residents in subsidized housing may be susceptible to isolation given high rates of chronic illness/disabilities, low income, and living alone. This cross-sectional study examined correlates of social isolation among over 3,000 older adults from nearly 100 subsidized housing communities across the US.

Knockdown of EPS8 expression attenuates the proliferation of enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells.

Androgen deprivation therapies, the key treatment options for prostate cancer, have shown resistance and disease progression in many patients receiving these treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to identify new targetable pathways. Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (Eps8) is one such potential target.

A Randomized Pilot Trial of Virtual Reality Surgical Planning for Head and Neck Oncologic Resection.

Objective: Application of virtual reality (VR) for surgical planning may improve clinical outcomes for head and neck cancer (HNC) resection. There is a lack of randomized trials and meaningful metrics to assess such technological applications. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of a VR protocol for oncologic surgical planning and assess the impact on surgical outcomes.

Iterative Development of a Clinical Decision Support Tool to Enhance Naloxone Coprescribing.

Background:  Opioid overdoses have contributed significantly to mortality in the United States. Despite long-standing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to coprescribe naloxone for patients receiving opioids who are at high risk of overdose, compliance with these guidelines has remained low.

Objectives:  The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a hospital-wide electronic health record (EHR)-based clinical decision support (CDS) tool designed to promote naloxone coprescription for high-risk opioids.

Long Term Cardiovascular Outcomes Between Sleep Surgery and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.

Objectives: Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) suffer from a multitude of concurrent morbidities including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Limited data exists comparing long term cardiovascular disease (CVD) clinical outcomes for patients treated with surgical intervention versus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The purpose of this study was to compare CVD outcomes at multiple time points comparing those treated with sleep surgery versus CPAP alone.

Phase 1 dose-escalation trial evaluating a group 2 influenza hemagglutinin stabilized stem nanoparticle vaccine.

The relative conservation of the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) stem compared to that of the immunodominant HA head makes the HA stem an attractive target for broadly protective influenza vaccines. Here we report the first-in-human, dose-escalation, open-label trial (NCT04579250) evaluating an unadjuvanted group 2 stabilized stem ferritin nanoparticle vaccine based on the H10 A/Jiangxi-Donghu/346/2013 influenza HA, H10ssF, in healthy adults. Participants received a single 20 mcg dose (n = 3) or two 60 mcg doses 16 weeks apart (n = 22).

Social Determinants of Health Impact Complications Following Free-Flap Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer.

Objective: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) have increased in prevalence and often require free-flap reconstruction (FFR) after tumor ablation. Postoperative complications following FFR can be high, occurring in as many as 48% and 71% of cases. HNC patients also have many disparities in Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), but the potential impact of SDOH disparities on postoperative complications following FFR has not been formally assessed.

A phase 3b, open-label, single-arm, multicenter, expanded-access study of the safety and clinical outcomes of StrataGraft® treatment in adults with deep partial-thickness thermal burns.

Background: A phase 3b, open-label, multicenter, expanded-access study (NCT04123548) evaluated safety and clinical outcomes of StrataGraft treatment in adults with deep partial-thickness thermal burns with intact dermal elements.

Methods: Adult patients with 3 % to < 50 % total body surface area burns were treated with a single application of ≤ 1:1 meshed StrataGraft and followed for 24 weeks. Primary endpoint was count and percentage of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).

Laparoscopic training workshop to assess medical students' skill acquisition and interest in surgical careers.

Background: With its minimally invasive approach, laparoscopic surgery has transformed the medical landscape. As the demand for these procedures escalates, there is a pressing need for adept surgeons trained in laparoscopic techniques. However, current training often falls short of catering to medical school education.

Readability of Patient Education Materials in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Patient education materials (PEMs) can promote patient engagement, satisfaction, and treatment adherence. The American Medical Association recommends that PEMs be developed for a sixth-grade or lower reading level. Health literacy (HL) refers to an individual's ability to seek, understand, and use health information to make appropriate decisions regarding their health.

Hedgehog pathway inhibitors for locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma: A real-world single-center retrospective review.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is highly curable by surgical excision or radiation. In rare cases, BCC can be locally destructive or difficult to surgically remove. Hedgehog inhibition (HHI) with vismodegib or sonidegib induces a 50-60% response rate.

Current Perceptions, Practice Patterns, and Barriers to Adoption of Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Under Local Anesthesia.

Objective: To assess perceptions, practice patterns, and barriers to adoption of transperineal prostate biopsy (TPBx) under local anesthesia.

Methods: Providers from Michigan urological surgery improvement collaborative (MUSIC) and Pennsylvania urologic regional collaborative (PURC) were administered an online survey to assess beliefs and educational needs regarding TPBx. Providers were divided into those who performed or did not perform TPBx.

FEA-Based Stress-Strain Barometers as Forecasters for Corneal Refractive Power Change in Orthokeratology.

Purpose: To improve the effectivity of patient-specific finite element analysis (FEA) to predict refractive power change (RPC) in rigid Ortho-K contact lens fitting. Novel eyelid boundary detection is introduced to the FEA model to better model the effects of the lid on lens performance, and stress and strain outcomes are investigated to identify the most effective FEA components to use in modelling.

Methods: The current study utilises fully anonymised records of 249 eyes, 132 right eyes, and 117 left eyes from subjects aged 14.

Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis of Patient Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and the Response to Inhibition of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase.

Unlabelled: Myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) levels are elevated in patients with cancer and contribute to reduced efficacy of immune checkpoint therapy. MDSC express Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) and BTK inhibition with ibrutinib, an FDA-approved irreversible inhibitor of BTK, leads to reduced MDSC expansion/function in mice and significantly improves the antitumor activity of anti-PD-1 antibody treatments. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was used to characterize the effect of ibrutinib on gene expression of fluorescence-activated cell sorting-enriched MDSC from patients with different cancer types [breast, melanoma, head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC)].