Opioid and benzodiazepine utilization patterns in metropolitan and rural Texas.

Introduction: Although many drugs are implicated in the crisis, opioids and concomitant sedatives are associated with increased overdose risk in both rural and urban communities. Individuals in rural areas are up to 5-fold more likely to experience adverse outcomes related to opioids. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate concomitant use of opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions in Texas, compare metropolitan and rural differences, and use these data to inform clinicians and to help develop harm reduction strategies.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination as defense against SARS-CoV-2 (BADAS): a randomized controlled trial to protect healthcare workers in the USA by enhanced trained immune responses.

Background: A large epidemic, such as that observed with SARS-CoV-2, seriously challenges available hospital capacity, and this would be augmented by infection of healthcare workers (HCW). Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine against tuberculosis, with protective non-specific effects against other respiratory tract infections in vitro and in vivo. Preliminary analyses suggest that regions of the world with existing BCG vaccination programs have lower incidence and mortality from COVID-19.

Epizootic Yersinia enterocolitica in captive African green monkeys ().

is a Gram-negative bacterium that typical results in enterocolitis in humans and poses significant worldwide risks to public health. An outbreak of yersiniosis in the Vervet/African green monkey colony at the WFSM during the winter of 2015-2016 accounted for widespread systemic infection with high morbidity and mortality. Most of the cases had extensive necrosis with suppuration and large colonies of bacilli in the large bowel and associated lymph nodes; however, the small intestine, stomach, and other organs were also regularly affected.

Novel Homozygous Variants and Associated Disease Phenotypes in Dogs with Dermatosparactic Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Tissue fragility, skin hyperextensibility and joint hypermobility are defining characteristics of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Human EDS is subclassified into fourteen types including dermatosparactic EDS, characterized by extreme skin fragility and caused by biallelic mutations. We report two novel, variants in DNA from EDS-affected dogs.

Genetic ablation of Pim1 or pharmacologic inhibition with TP-3654 ameliorates myelofibrosis in murine models.

Myelofibrosis (MF) is the deadliest form of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). The JAK inhibitor Ruxolitinib can reduce constitutional symptoms but it does not substantially improve bone marrow fibrosis. Pim1 expression is significantly elevated in MPN/MF hematopoietic progenitors.

Patient Education on Opioid Storage, Security, and Disposal of Opioids: Should the Approach Differ in Rural and Urban Settings?

Purpose: The opioid crisis is devastating rural America, but findings of opioid utilization vary among previous studies. Previous studies were focused on misuse behaviors or overdose issues. This study will focus on the number of pills and prescriptions that rural and urban adults received.

Trends in Bone Marrow Sampling and Core Biopsy Specimen Adequacy in the United States and Canada: A Multicenter Study.

Objectives: To assess bone marrow (BM) sampling in academic medical centers.

Methods: Data from 6,374 BM samples obtained in 32 centers in 2001 and 2011, including core length (CL), were analyzed.

Results: BM included a biopsy (BMB; 93%) specimen, aspirate (BMA; 92%) specimen, or both (83%).

Crizotinib induces apoptosis and gene expression changes in ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma cell lines; brentuximab synergizes and doxorubicin antagonizes.

Background: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) shows 60-70% event free survival with standard treatments. Targeted therapies are being tested for increased benefit and/or reduced toxicity, but interactions with standard agents are not well known.

Methods: We exposed four ALCL cell lines to two targeted agents, crizotinib and brentuximab vedotin, and to two standard agents, doxorubicin and vinblastine.

Epstein-Barr virus DNA in serum as an early prognostic marker in children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Assay of cell-free DNA in blood offers an approach to assessment of tumor DNA. We sought to determine whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in cell-free blood is also a good surrogate for the presence of tumor DNA in children with Hodgkin lymphoma, as it is in adults, and whether it correlates with pediatric outcomes. Pediatric patients enrolled in a Children's Oncology Group trial (AHOD0031) were studied at baseline and at 8 days after the initiation of treatment.

Variant histology, IgD and CD30 expression in low-risk pediatric nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Background: Histologic prognostic factors have been described for nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). This study examines histologic and immunophenotypic variants in a clinical trial for pediatric NLPHL.

Procedure: One hundred sixty-eight cases of localized NLPHL were examined for histologic variants, CD30 and immunoglobulin D (IgD) expression, and outcome.

Abdominal Wall Endometriosis in a Rhesus Macaque ().

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrium outside of the uterus. Although endometriosis occurs in both pelvic and extrapelvic locations, extrapelvic locations are less common. The development of abdominal wall or incisional endometriosis in women is associated with gynecologic surgeries and is often misdiagnosed.

Hmga2 promotes the development of myelofibrosis in Jak2 knockin mice by enhancing TGF-β1 and Cxcl12 pathways.

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a devastating blood disorder. The mutation has been detected in ∼50% cases of MF. Elevated expression of high-mobility group AT hook 2 (HMGA2) has also been frequently observed in patients with MF.

Childhood Hodgkin International Prognostic Score (CHIPS) Predicts event-free survival in Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Background: Early response to initial chemotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) measured by computed tomography (CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) after two to three cycles of chemotherapy may inform therapeutic decisions. Risk stratification at diagnosis could, however, allow earlier and potentially more efficacious treatment modifications.

Patients And Methods: We developed a predictive model for event-free survival (EFS) in pediatric/adolescent HL using clinical data known at diagnosis from 1103 intermediate-risk HL patients treated on Children's Oncology Group protocol AHOD0031 with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, cyclophosphamide (ABVE-PC) chemotherapy and radiation.

Minimal Treatment of Low-Risk, Pediatric Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group.

Purpose: Children's Oncology Group study AHOD03P1 was designed to determine whether excellent outcomes can be maintained for patients with low-risk, pediatric lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (LPHL) with a strategy of resection alone or minimal chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Patients with stage IA LPHL in a single node that was completely resected were observed without further therapy; recurrences were treated with three cycles of doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone/cyclophosphamide (AV-PC). Patients with unresected stage IA or stage IIA LPHL were treated with three cycles of AV-PC.

Loss of Ezh2 cooperates with Jak2V617F in the development of myelofibrosis in a mouse model of myeloproliferative neoplasm.

An activating JAK2V617F mutation has been found in ∼50% patients with myelofibrosis (MF). Inactivating mutations in histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) also have been observed in patients with MF. Interestingly, inactivating EZH2 mutations are often associated with JAK2V617F mutation in MF, although their contributions in the pathogenesis of MF remain elusive.

Cardioprotection and Safety of Dexrazoxane in Patients Treated for Newly Diagnosed T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or Advanced-Stage Lymphoblastic Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Report of the Children's Oncology Group Randomized Trial Pediatric Oncology Group 9404.

Purpose: To determine the oncologic efficacy, cardioprotective effectiveness, and safety of dexrazoxane added to chemotherapy that included a cumulative doxorubicin dose of 360 mg/m(2) to treat children and adolescents with newly diagnosed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) or lymphoblastic non-Hodgkin lymphoma (L-NHL).

Patients And Methods: Patients were treated on Pediatric Oncology Group Protocol POG 9404, which included random assignment to treatment with or without dexrazoxane given as a bolus infusion immediately before every dose of doxorubicin. Cardiac effects were assessed by echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular function and structure.

Immunohistochemical expression of mTOR in germinal center and nongerminal center group of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological study.

Background: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates many major cellular processes and is implicated in an increasing number of neoplasms, including lymphoma.

Patients And Methods: We correlated immunohistochemical expression of mTOR with germinal center and nongerminal center phenotype, B cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) and cellular homolog of the retroviral v-myconcogene (c-myc) expression, and International Prognostic Index (IPI) score in 31 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Results: Virtually all patients in our study with high mTOR scores had a germinal center phenotype.

Dose-intensive response-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy for children and adolescents with newly diagnosed intermediate-risk hodgkin lymphoma: a report from the Children's Oncology Group Study AHOD0031.

Purpose: The Children's Oncology Group study AHOD0031, a randomized phase III study, was designed to evaluate the role of early chemotherapy response in tailoring subsequent therapy in pediatric intermediate-risk Hodgkin lymphoma. To avoid treatment-associated risks that compromise long-term health and to maintain high cure rates, dose-intensive chemotherapy with limited cumulative doses was used.

Patients And Methods: Patients received two cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone (ABVE-PC) followed by response evaluation.

A highly curable lymphoma occurs preferentially in the proximal tibia of young patients.

The presentation of two 19-year-old male subjects with stage I non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the proximal tibia prompted an extensive review of institutional and national databases to assess whether there is any statistical evidence that these reflected a previously overlooked syndromic pattern of presentation. The institutional records of a single institution were reviewed for presentation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the bone. The records of two additional institutions were reviewed for all reports of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the tibia.

Critical role of Jak2 in the maintenance and function of adult hematopoietic stem cells.

Jak2, a member of the Janus kinase family of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases, is activated in response to a variety of cytokines, and functions in survival and proliferation of cells. An activating JAK2V617F mutation has been found in most patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, and patients treated with Jak2 inhibitors show significant hematopoietic toxicities. However, the role of Jak2 in adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has not been clearly elucidated.