An Exploratory Analysis of the Role of Religion in Colorectal Cancer Screening among Safety-Net Clinic Patients.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence among low income populations is disproportionate when compared to the general population. Cancer screening studies show religion as a potentially influential factor in individual screening. The present study was an exploratory analysis of religious involvement (RI) among older safety-net clinic patients who participated in 90-day follow up calls during an intervention trial.

Effect of Enrichment Devices on Aggression in Manipulated Nude Mice.

Agonistic behavior in group-housed male mice is a recurring problem in many animal research facilities. Common management procedures, such as the removal of aggressors, are moderately successful but often fail, owing to recurrence of aggressive behavior among cagemates. Studies have incorporated enrichment devices to attenuate aggression, but such devices have had mixed results.

Infrequent chemoradiation-induced acute esophagitis in the Asian population: A meta-analysis of published clinical trials for unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Severe (grade 3 or higher) esophagitis is one of the major toxicities for chemoradiation in the treatment of stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The difference among ethnic groups has never been investigated in detail. Prospective trials with concurrent platinum-containing chemoradiation in unresectable disease were investigated, and a total of 116 treatment arms with 7520 patients were identified.

Tolvaptan in hospitalized cancer patients with hyponatremia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on efficacy and safety.

Background: The rate of hyponatremia is higher in hospitalized cancer patients than in hospitalized patients without cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. The availability of V2 receptor antagonists has been a major breakthrough in the management of hyponatremia, but its efficacy and safety in treating hyponatremia in patients with cancer is not known.

Methods: Adult patients with cancer who were admitted to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center with nonhypovolemic hyponatremia (125-130 mmol/L) were randomized to receive either tolvaptan or placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive, randomized trial.

Hepatitis C virus screening in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Purpose: Reactivation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication can occur in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of HCV screening at the onset of chemotherapy among patients with cancer.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults with cancer who were newly registered at MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 2004 to April 2011 and received chemotherapy.

Frequency and factors associated with falls in patients with advanced cancer presenting to an outpatient supportive care clinic.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with fall episodes in advanced cancer patients.

Method: We analyzed data that included demographic characteristics, utilization of assistive devices, cancer diagnosis, metastatic site, performance status, medications including hypnotics and opioids, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) score, and Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) score in 384 consecutive patients who were newly referred to the Supportive Care Clinic at the MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 1 to December 31, 2009. All patients completed standardized forms to report falls within the last month.

Factors associated with survival after opioid rotation in cancer patients presenting to an outpatient supportive care center.

Context: Data on cancer outpatients undergoing opioid rotation (OR) are limited. Understanding the characteristics of patients who do not follow up after OR could facilitate optimization of OR.

Objectives: To compare the characteristics and overall survival of patients with and without follow-up after OR.

Self-reported sleep disturbance in patients with advanced cancer: Frequency, intensity, and factors associated with response to outpatient supportive care consultation--A preliminary report.

Objectives: Self-reported sleep disturbance (SD) is a distressing symptom in patients with advanced cancer. There are limited data on the treatment of SD and predictors to response of SD to outpatient supportive care clinic (OPC) consultation. The aims of our study was to determine the frequency, intensity, and correlates of SD as assessed with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) sleep item at the time of initial consultation and identify the predictors of improvement in SD at follow-up.

Small molecule ErbB inhibitors decrease proliferative signaling and promote apoptosis in philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The presence of the Philadelphia chromosome in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+)ALL) is a negative prognostic indicator. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) that target BCR/ABL, such as imatinib, have improved treatment of Ph(+)ALL and are generally incorporated into induction regimens. This approach has improved clinical responses, but molecular remissions are seen in less than 50% of patients leaving few treatment options in the event of relapse.

Sociooccupational and physical outcomes more than 20 years after the diagnosis of osteosarcoma in children and adolescents: limb salvage versus amputation.

Background: To the best of the authors' knowledge, there has been relatively little research published to date regarding very long-term survivors of childhood and adolescent osteosarcoma. In the current study, the authors compared the very long-term survival outcomes of patients with osteosarcoma who were treated with either limb salvage procedures or amputation.

Methods: A total of 38 patients with osteosarcoma who survived ≥ 20 years from the time of diagnosis were divided into 2 groups according to whether they underwent amputation or limb salvage.

Mentoring in pediatric oncology: a report from the Children's Oncology Group Young Investigator Committee.

A formal Mentorship Program within the Children's Oncology Group (COG) was established to pair young investigators (mentees) with established COG members (mentors). Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement promoting mentorship programs, there are no publications describing and evaluating national mentorship programs in pediatric subspecialties. In this study, a series of internal program evaluations were performed using surveys of both mentors and mentees.

Rasburicase in tumor lysis syndrome of the adult: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The use of rasburicase has been evaluated extensively in children, but not in adults. We review the current literature to evaluate its effect on adults.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Case control study of women treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer during pregnancy as compared with nonpregnant patients with breast cancer.

Background: The purpose of this analysis was to compare disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) between pregnant and nonpregnant patients with breast cancer.

Methods: From 1989 to 2009, 75 women were treated with chemotherapy during pregnancy. Each pregnant case was matched on age and cancer stage to two nonpregnant patients with breast cancer (controls).

A prospective study of family conferences: effects of patient presence on emotional expression and end-of-life discussions.

Context: Limited research has taken place examining family conferences (FCs) with patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers in the palliative care setting.

Objectives: To characterize the FCs involving cancer patients in a palliative care unit at a comprehensive cancer center and examine the effects of patient participation on emotional expression by the participants and end-of-life discussions.

Methods: A data collection sheet was completed immediately after 140 consecutive FCs that documented the number of participants, caregiver demographics, expressions of emotional distress, dissatisfaction with care, and the topics discussed.

Validation of ICD-9-CM codes for identification of acetaminophen-related emergency department visits in a large pediatric hospital.

Background: Acetaminophen overdose is a major concern among the pediatric population. Our objective was to assess the validity of International Classification of Disease (ICD-9-CM) codes for identification of pediatric emergency department (ED) visits resulting from acetaminophen exposure or overdose.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of ED visits at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2010.

Frequency, outcome, and predictors of success within 6 weeks of an opioid rotation among outpatients with cancer receiving strong opioids.

Background: Opioid rotation is used to treat uncontrolled pain and/or opioid-related adverse effects. Our aim was to determine the frequency, indications, outcomes, and predictors of successful opioid rotation in outpatients with cancer.

Methods: Medical records of consecutive outpatients with cancer who received strong opioids and returned for follow-up visit within ≤6 weeks to our supportive care center from January to December 2008 were reviewed.

Use of injectable spasticity management agents in a cancer center.

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the utilization and effectiveness of injectable spasticity medications by the physiatry team at a referral-based tertiary cancer center.

Methods: A retrospective review and analysis of patient and injection characteristics were obtained from patients who had received onabotulinum toxin or phenol nerve block injections from December 1, 2007 through January 31, 2012. Out of 3,724 physiatry consultations during this period, 20 (less than 1 %) different cancer patients received a total of 54 total procedures.

UBE4B levels are correlated with clinical outcomes in neuroblastoma patients and with altered neuroblastoma cell proliferation and sensitivity to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.

Background: The UBE4B gene, which is located on chromosome 1p36, encodes a ubiquitin ligase that interacts with hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs), a protein involved in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) trafficking, suggesting a link between EGFR trafficking and neuroblastoma pathogenesis. The authors analyzed the roles of UBE4B in the outcomes of patients with neuroblastoma and in neuroblastoma tumor cell proliferation, EGFR trafficking, and response to EGFR inhibition.

Methods: The association between UBE4B expression and the survival of patients with neuroblastoma was examined using available microarray data sets.

Characteristics of advanced cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue enrolled in clinical trials and patients referred to outpatient palliative care clinics.

Context: Limited published data exist on whether characteristics of patients with advanced cancer enrolled in cancer-related fatigue clinical trials (CCTs) differ from patients in outpatient palliative care clinics (OPCs).

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of two groups of patients with advanced cancer and moderate-to-severe fatigue: patients in CCTs and patients at an OPC.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 337 patients who were enrolled in one of five CCTs for advanced cancer patients at The University of Texas M.

The relationship between body composition and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with operable breast cancer.

Introduction: Overweight women diagnosed with breast cancer have greater recurrence and mortality risks. Recent studies in advanced cancer showed that the combination of sarcopenia and an overweight or obese body mass index (BMI) is associated with poor clinical outcomes.

Objectives: To compare pathological complete response (pCR) cases with controls and evaluate associations among a pCR, survival outcome, and sarcopenia as well as the combination of both sarcopenia and a BMI ≥25 kg/m(2).

Adoptive T-cell therapy improves treatment of canine non-Hodgkin lymphoma post chemotherapy.

Clinical observations reveal that an augmented pace of T-cell recovery after chemotherapy correlates with improved tumor-free survival, suggesting the add-back of T cells after chemotherapy may improve outcomes. To evaluate adoptive immunotherapy treatment for B-lineage non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), we expanded T cells from client-owned canines diagnosed with NHL on artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPC) in the presence of human interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-21. Graded doses of autologous T cells were infused after CHOP chemotherapy and persisted for 49 days, homed to tumor, and significantly improved survival.

Cervical spine radiographs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing anesthesia.

Background: There is no consensus on the role of preoperative cervical spine radiographs to screen for instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the preoperative use of cervical spine radiographs in patients with RA undergoing preoperative anesthesia assessment and to determine whether preoperative radiographic findings influenced anesthesia delivery techniques.

Methods: We reviewed all medical records of RA patients who underwent surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia with airway intubation or monitored anesthesia care without airway intubation.

Feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory ™ generic core scales, cancer module, and multidimensional fatigue scale in long-term adult survivors of pediatric cancer.

Background: Most health-related quality of life assessments are designed for either children or adults and have not been evaluated for adolescent and young adult survivors of pediatric cancer. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL ™ Generic Core Scales, Cancer Module, and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale in adult survivors of pediatric cancer.

Methods: Adult survivors (n = 64; Mean age 35 year old; >2 years after treatment) completed the PedsQL™ Generic Core Scales, Cancer Module, and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale.

Retrospective analysis of antitumor effects of zoledronic acid in breast cancer patients with bone-only metastases.

Background: Bisphosphonates have been used successfully in the treatment of hypercalcemia and to reduce skeletal complications of bone metastasis, but have not been shown to prevent bone metastasis or to prolong survival time in metastatic breast cancer patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with bone-only breast cancer metastasis differed based on whether patients received zoledronic acid, pamidronate, or no bisphosphonate upon diagnosis of their metastases.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively identified 314 patients diagnosed with bone-only metastasis at the time of initial staging or who developed bone metastasis as the first recurrence site during follow-up from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2008, at The MD Anderson Cancer Center.