Characteristics of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and their association with treatment outcomes: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: There are few data on the treatment of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis, especially with more recently available drugs and regimens. We aimed to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics and their associations with treatment outcomes in this susceptible population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Factors Associated With Surgical Management in Gallbladder Cancer-A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare-Based Study.

Introduction: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) incidence is rising, yet prognosis remains poor. Oncological resection of stage T1b or higher improves survival, yet many patients do not receive appropriate resection. This study aims to evaluate factors that may attribute to this discrepancy using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare (SEER-Medicare) database.

Exploring rural-urban differences in the receipt of nonelective cancer-specific gastrointestinal surgery using a multilevel mixed-effects approach.

Background: Rural communities constitute a populace marked by various social challenges influencing health outcomes. As such, nonelective surgeries for cancer may have a disproportionate impact on rural populations. We explored patient and county-level factors contributing to differences in the receipt of nonelective cancer-specific surgery between rural and urban residents.

Defining the role and impact of specialty surgeons in ensuring high-quality, accessible abdominal surgery: a report from the 2024 GI Surgery Summit.

Background: The 2024 GI Surgery Summit brought together Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), and Society of University Surgeons (SUS) members to assess the current state of gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. This report reviews the key discussions and recommendations after the dedicated plenary session that addressed challenges in providing high-quality, accessible GI surgery for all patients.

Methods: The Summit took place from January 14 to 16.

Pharmaceutical cost dynamics for the treatment of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in children and adolescents in South Africa, India, and the Philippines.

Rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis (TB) in children is a major global health concern but is often neglected in economics research. Accurate cost estimations across the spectrum of paediatric RR-TB treatment regimens are critical inputs for prioritisation and budgeting decisions, and an existing knowledge gap at local and international levels. This normative cost analysis was nested in a Phase I/II pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and acceptability trial of TB medications in children in South Africa, the Philippines and India.

Overall Volume of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Positively Impacts Gastric Cancer Outcomes at Centers with Low Gastrectomy Volume.

Background: The relationship between hospital volume and surgical mortality is well documented. However, complete centralization of surgical care is not always feasible. The present study investigates how overall volume of upper gastrointestinal surgery at hospitals influences patient outcomes following resection for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Observations on the Representation of Asians in Surgical Training and Leadership.

Introduction: Diversity in medicine has a positive effect on outcomes, especially for Asian patients. We sought to evaluate representation of Asians across entry and leadership levels in surgical training.

Methods: Publicly accessible population data from 2018 to 2023 were collected from the US Census Bureau, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the American Board of Surgery (ABS).

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome associated with antibiotic therapy: a case report and systematic review.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an acute neurological condition associated with different etiologies, including antibiotic therapy. To date, most data regarding antibiotic-related PRES are limited to case reports and small case series. Here, we report a novel case description and provide a systematic review of the clinico-radiological characteristics and prognosis of available cases of PRES associated with antibiotic therapy.

Disparate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delays in colorectal cancer treatment: A National Cancer Database study.

Background: Timely treatment for patients with colorectal cancer may have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the impact of the pandemic on delays to treatment with surgery or systemic therapy for patients with colorectal cancer and delineated factors predictive of delayed treatment.

Methods: Using the National Cancer Database, patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer were categorized by year of diagnosis as COVID-19 era (2020) versus pre-COVID-19 (2018-2019).

Trends in access to minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancers.

Background: Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD), including robotic (RPD) and laparoscopy (LPD), is becoming more frequently employed in the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), though the majority of operations are still performed via open approach (OPD). Access to technologic advances often neglect the underserved. Whether disparities in access to MIPD exist, remain unclear.

Association of Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Insurance with Time to Treatment Initiation Among Women with Breast Cancer at an Urban, Academic, Safety-Net Hospital.

Introduction: Initial treatment for nonmetastatic breast cancer is resection or neoadjuvant systemic therapy, depending on tumor biology and patient factors. Delays in treatment have been shown to impact survival and quality of life. Little has been published on the performance of safety-net hospitals in delivering timely care for all patients.

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Real World Evidence of Care Delivery in AccessHope Data.

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is an aggressive disease and the delivery of comprehensive care to individuals with this cancer is critical to achieve appropriate outcomes. The identification of gaps in care delivery facilitates the design of interventions to optimize care delivery and improve outcomes in this population.

Methods: AccessHope™ is a growing organization that connects oncology subspecialists with treating providers through contracts with self-insured employers.

Porocarcinoma of the Left Foot: A Case Review.

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor of the eccrine sweat gland. This malignancy occurs most commonly in the lower extremities. It tends to occur in patients aged 60 to 80 years, affecting men and women equally.

Monitoring of carbon-water fluxes at Eurasian meteorological stations using random forest and remote sensing.

Simulating the carbon-water fluxes at more widely distributed meteorological stations based on the sparsely and unevenly distributed eddy covariance flux stations is needed to accurately understand the carbon-water cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. We established a new framework consisting of machine learning, determination coefficient (R), Euclidean distance, and remote sensing (RS), to simulate the daily net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange (NEE) and water flux (WF) of the Eurasian meteorological stations using a random forest model or/and RS. The daily NEE and WF datasets with RS-based information (NEE-RS and WF-RS) for 3774 and 4427 meteorological stations during 2002-2020 were produced, respectively.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Delays to Breast Cancer Surgery: Ripples or Waves?

Background: Adherence to current recommendations for optimal time from diagnosis to treatment for patients with breast cancer may have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on time to surgery or systemic treatment with chemotherapy or immunotherapy for patients diagnosed with breast cancer.

Methods: Using the National Cancer Database, patients diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 were compared to those diagnosed from 2018-2019 (Pre-COVID).

Association of Race, Ethnicity, Insurance, and Language and Rate of Breast-Conserving Therapy Among Women With Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer at an Urban, Safety-Net Hospital.

Introduction: Breast-conserving therapy (BCT), specifically breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and adjuvant radiation, provides an equivalent alternative to mastectomy for eligible patients. However, previous studies have shown that BCT is underused in the United States, particularly among marginalized demographic groups. In this study, we examine the association between race, ethnicity, insurance, and language and rate of BCS among patients treated at an academic, safety-net hospital.

The Evaluation of Gallstone Disease in the Year Before Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis.

Introduction: Patients with pancreatic cancer can present with a variety of insidious abdominal symptoms, complicating initial diagnosis. Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer often mirror those associated with gallstone disease, which has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for this malignancy. This study aims to compare the incidence of gallstone disease in the year before diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as compared to the general population, and evaluate the association of gallstone disease with stage at diagnosis and surgical intervention.

The impact of social risk factors on the presentation, treatment and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma at an urban, academic safety-net hospital.

Background: Vulnerable populations have worse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outcomes. We sought to understand if this could be mitigated at a safety-net hospital.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of HCC patients was conducted (2007-2018).