CAnceR IN PreGnancy (CARING) - a retrospective study of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy in the United Kingdom.

Background: The incidence of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy is increasing. Data relating to investigation and management, as well as maternal and foetal outcomes is lacking in a United Kingdom (UK) population.

Methods: In this retrospective study we report data from 119 patients diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy from 14 cancer centres in the UK across a five-year period (2016-2020).

Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with oesophagogastric cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: national study.

Background: The national response to COVID-19 has had a significant impact on cancer services. This study investigated the effect of national lockdown on diagnosis, management, and outcomes of patients with oesophagogastric cancers in Scotland.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included consecutive new patients presenting to regional oesophagogastric cancer multidisciplinary teams in National Health Service Scotland between October 2019 and September 2020.

Multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in hematopoietic stem cells for fetal hemoglobin reinduction generates chromosomal translocations.

Sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia are common monogenic disorders that cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. The only curative treatment currently is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which is unavailable to many patients due to a lack of matched donors and carries risks including graft-versus-host disease. Genome editing therapies targeting either the erythroid enhancer or the promoter are already demonstrating success in reinducing fetal hemoglobin.

AMD3100 redosing fails to repeatedly mobilize hematopoietic stem cells in the nonhuman primate and humanized mouse.

AMD3100 (plerixafor) is a vital component of many clinical and preclinical transplant protocols, facilitating harvest of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells through mobilization into the peripheral blood circulation. Repeat mobilization with AMD3100 is also necessary for many patients with suboptimal first stem cell collection or those requiring repeat transplantation. In this study we investigated the mobilization efficacy of repeated AMD3100 dosages in the nonhuman primate and humanized mouse models.

CRISPR/Cas9 for the treatment of haematological diseases: a journey from bacteria to the bedside.

Genome editing therapies represent a significant advancement in next-generation, precision medicine for the management of haematological diseases, and CRISPR/Cas9 has to date been the most successful implementation platform. From discovery in bacteria and archaea over three decades ago, through intensive basic research and pre-clinical development phases involving the modification of therapeutically relevant cell types, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing is now being investigated in ongoing clinic trials. Despite the widespread enthusiasm brought by this new technology, significant challenges remain before genome editing can be routinely recommended and implemented in the clinic.

Therapeutically relevant engraftment of a CRISPR-Cas9-edited HSC-enriched population with HbF reactivation in nonhuman primates.

Reactivation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is being pursued as a treatment strategy for hemoglobinopathies. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) edited with the CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease platform to recapitulate naturally occurring mutations identified in individuals who express increased amounts of HbF, a condition known as hereditary persistence of HbF. CRISPR-Cas9 treatment and transplantation of HSPCs purified on the basis of surface expression of the CD34 receptor in a nonhuman primate (NHP) autologous transplantation model resulted in up to 30% engraftment of gene-edited cells for >1 year.

A daily topical decontamination regimen reduces catheter-related bloodstream infections in haematology patients.

Objective: To assess impact of a topical decontamination regimen on rates of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in intensively-treated haematology patients.

Methods: A historically-controlled cohort study was used to evaluate the effect of applying chlorhexidine or Octenisan® body washes and nasal Prontoderm® ointment for 5 days around the time of Hickman line insertion on the incidence of CRBSI and infection-free catheter time. Lines inserted during a 24 month period prior to implementation of the decolonisation regimen were compared with those inserted during a 12 month period after the intervention was applied.

High prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory abnormalities in advanced, intensively treated (transplanted) myeloma: The case for 'late effects' screening and preventive strategies.

Objectives: Modern management of myeloma has significantly improved survival, with increasing numbers of patients living beyond a decade. However, little is known about the long-term cardiovascular and respiratory status of intensively treated and multiply relapsed survivors.

Methods: We performed detailed cardiovascular and respiratory evaluations in patients with intensively treated, advanced but stable myeloma.

Exposure Path Perceptions and Protective Actions in Biological Water Contamination Emergencies.

This study extends the Protective Action Decision Model, developed to address disaster warning responses in the context of natural hazards, to "boil water" advisories. The study examined 110 Boston residents' and 203 Texas students' expectations of getting sick through different exposure paths for contact with contaminated water. In addition, the study assessed respondents' actual implementation (for residents) or behavioral expectations (for students) of three different protective actions - bottled water, boiled water, and personally chlorinated water - as well as their demographic characteristics and previous experience with water contamination.

Bilateral ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block in a patient with severe electrocution injuries of the upper extremities.

The performance of bilateral supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve blocks is controversial. We present the challenging case of a 29-year-old male who suffered bilateral high-voltage electrocution injuries to the upper extremities, resulting in severe tissue damage, sensory and motor deficits, and wounds in both axillae. This injury necessitated bilateral below-elbow amputations.

Intraoperative and Postoperative Blood Glucose Concentrations in Diabetic Surgical Patients Receiving Lactated Ringer's Versus Normal Saline: A Retrospective Review of Medical Records.

Background: Hyperglycemia is associated with poor postoperative outcomes after carotid endarterectomy. This retrospective study examined the effect of lactated Ringer's and normal saline solutions on intraoperative blood glucose control in diabetic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Methods: The anesthetic and surgical records of type 2 diabetic patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy and received either lactated Ringer's solution or normal saline exclusively during the case were reviewed, and 20 patients were randomly selected from each group for further analysis.

Mandibular advancement for obstructive sleep apnea: relating outcomes to anatomy.

Importance: This study provides insight into the response and cure rates of oral appliances (OAs) in patients with primary retropalatal, retroglossal, or retroepiglottic obstruction, as well as the effect of minimal cross-sectional area on the overall decrease in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) across all anatomical locations of collapse.

Objective: To examine the role of regional upper airway obstruction measured with acoustic pharyngometry as a determinant of OA success.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective case-series included patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome at a tertiary care center.

Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea by peripheral arterial tonometry: meta-analysis.

Importance: Efficient diagnosis and early treatment of obstructive sleep apnea may help prevent the development of related morbidity and mortality. Compared with polysomnography (PSG), ambulatory sleep study devices offer the possibility of an accurate diagnosis with convenience and low cost.

Objective: To assess the correlation between sleep indexes measured by a portable sleep-testing device (peripheral arterial tonometry [PAT]) and those measured by PSG.

Effects of track and threat information on judgments of hurricane strike probability.

Although evacuation is one of the best strategies for protecting citizens from hurricane threat, the ways that local elected officials use hurricane data in deciding whether to issue hurricane evacuation orders is not well understood. To begin to address this problem, we examined the effects of hurricane track and intensity information in a laboratory setting where participants judged the probability that hypothetical hurricanes with a constant bearing (i.e.

Effects of Pillar implants for sleep-related breathing disorders on middle ear function.

Pillar implants provide a reasonable outcome with minimal post-operative morbidity and complications in treating patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) who had obvious palatal obstruction. The palatal structure is responsible for a normal functioning Eustachian tube; however, little is known if there is any potential otologic implication of minimally invasive palatal stiffening surgery for SDB. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Pillar implantation on middle ear function.

Diagnostic value of the Friedman tongue position and Mallampati classification for obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the association between the Mallampati classification and Friedman tongue position for obstructive sleep apnea severity as determined by apnea-hypopnea index and to determine which method is most closely correlated with prediction of obstructive sleep apnea severity.

Data Sources: English-language searches of PubMed, MedLine, and the Cochrane database. Reference sections of identified studies were examined for additional articles.

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure on C-reactive protein levels in sleep apnea: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, reported either as a primary or secondary end point among patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) based on a meta-analysis of published studies.

Data Sources: English-language searches of PubMed, Ovid, and the Cochrane databases were completed. Reference sections of identified studies were also examined for additional relevant articles to review.

Modified adenotonsillectomy to improve cure rates for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of adenotonsillectomy (T&A) with and without pharyngoplasty (tonsillar pillar closure) in the treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Study Design: Randomized single-blind controlled study.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Compliance and efficacy of titratable thermoplastic versus custom mandibular advancement devices.

Objective: To share our experiences treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) with titratable thermoplastic (TPD) and custom-made mandibular advancement devices (MAD) and to compare these devices in terms of objective improvement and cure and treatment success (improvement/cure plus adherence at 6 months).

Study Design: Case series with planned data collection.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Dead Sea salt irrigations vs saline irrigations with nasal steroids for symptomatic treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis: a randomized, prospective double-blind study.

Background: Intranasal steroids are 1 of the most frequently prescribed medications for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and saline irrigations are commonly used as an adjunct to medical therapy. We aimed to compare the efficacy of Dead Sea salt (DSS) irrigations and DSS nasal spray vs saline irrigations and topical nasal steroid spray in the treatment of symptoms of CRS.

Methods: A total of 145 symptomatic adult patients without acute infection were initially enrolled and 114 completed the study.

The value of routine pH monitoring in the diagnosis and treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Objective: To assess the need for pH testing in diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Study Design: Case series with planned data collection.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Transoral robotic glossectomy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Objective: In previous reports of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), patients underwent routine tracheotomy. We aim to assess the feasibility of performing robotically assisted partial glossectomy without tracheotomy and to assess efficacy by comparing OSAHS outcomes with those of established techniques.

Study Design: Historical cohort study with planned data collection.