Kidney and Cardiovascular Effectiveness of SGLT2 Inhibitors vs GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Emerging data suggest that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) improve kidney outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Direct comparisons of the kidney and cardiovascular effectiveness of GLP-1 RA with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), a first-line therapy for this population, are needed.

Objectives: The authors compared kidney and cardiovascular outcomes for new users of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RAs with T2D.

Exploring the impact of GSTM1 as a novel molecular determinant of survival in head and neck cancer patients of African descent.

Background: Blacks/African American (BAA) patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have worse survival outcomes than White patients. However, the mechanisms underlying racial disparities in HNSCC have not been thoroughly characterized.

Methods: Data on gene expression, copy number variants (CNVs), gene mutations, and methylation were obtained from 6 head and neck cancer datasets.

Cell death shapes cancer immunity: spotlighting PANoptosis.

PANoptosis represents a novel type of programmed cell death (PCD) with distinctive features that incorporate elements of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. PANoptosis is governed by a newly discovered cytoplasmic multimeric protein complex known as the PANoptosome. Unlike each of these PCD types individually, PANoptosis is still in the early stages of research and warrants further exploration of its specific regulatory mechanisms and primary targets.

Cancer metabolism and carcinogenesis.

Metabolic reprogramming is an emerging hallmark of cancer cells, enabling them to meet increased nutrient and energy demands while withstanding the challenging microenvironment. Cancer cells can switch their metabolic pathways, allowing them to adapt to different microenvironments and therapeutic interventions. This refers to metabolic heterogeneity, in which different cell populations use different metabolic pathways to sustain their survival and proliferation and impact their response to conventional cancer therapies.

Adaptive c-Met-PLXDC2 Signaling Axis Mediates Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity to Confer Radioresistance-associated Aggressiveness in Head and Neck Cancer.

Unlabelled: Radiotherapy plays an essential role in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), yet radioresistance remains a major barrier to therapeutic efficacy. A better understanding of the predominant pathways determining radiotherapy response could help develop mechanism-informed therapies to improve cancer management. Here we report that radioresistant HNSCC cells exhibit increased tumor aggressiveness.

Patterns of toxicity burden for FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitors in the United States.

Background: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are a common phenomenon in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Surprisingly, the toxicity burdens of these irAEs have not been illustrated clearly. In this study, we analyzed irAEs for seven FDA-approved ICIs in cancer treatment to show the pattern of toxicity burden among cancer patients.

Effectiveness of Standard vs Enhanced Self-measurement of Blood Pressure Paired With a Connected Smartphone Application: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) with commercially available connected smartphone applications may help patients effectively use SMBP measurements.

Objective: To determine if enhanced SMBP paired with a connected smartphone application was superior to standard SMBP for blood pressure (BP) reduction or patient satisfaction.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This randomized clinical trial was conducted among 23 health systems participating in PCORnet, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, and included patients who reported having uncontrolled BP at their last clinic visit, a desire to lower their BP, and a smartphone.

Identification and Treatment of Opioid-Associated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Emergency Medical Service Protocols.

This cross-sectional study reviews emergency medical services (EMS) treatment protocols for adults presenting with cardiac arrest or overdose to evaluate whether current protocols include the consideration of opioid overdose for patients with possible out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Using web-based training to improve accuracy of blood pressure measurement among health care professionals: A randomized trial.

Accurate blood pressure measurement is crucial for proper screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of high blood pressure. However, providers are not aware of proper blood pressure measurement skills, do not master all the appropriate skills, or miss key steps in the process, leading to inconsistent or inaccurate readings. Training in blood pressure measurement for most providers is usually limited to a one-time brief demonstration during professional education coursework.

ATAD3A mediates activation of RAS-independent mitochondrial ERK1/2 signaling, favoring head and neck cancer development.

Background: Targeting mitochondrial oncoproteins presents a new concept in the development of effective cancer therapeutics. ATAD3A is a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial enzyme contributing to mitochondrial dynamics, cholesterol metabolism, and signal transduction. However, its impact and underlying regulatory mechanisms in cancers remain ill-defined.

Blockade of glutamine-dependent cell survival augments antitumor efficacy of CPI-613 in head and neck cancer.

Background: Alterations in metabolism are one of the emerging hallmarks of cancer cells and targeting dysregulated cancer metabolism provides a new approach to developing more selective therapeutics. However, insufficient blockade critical metabolic dependencies of cancer allows the development of metabolic bypasses, thus limiting therapeutic benefits.

Methods: A series of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and animal models were used to determine the efficacy of CPI-613 and CB-839 when given alone or in combination.

Tracking Blood Pressure Control Performance and Process Metrics in 25 US Health Systems: The PCORnet Blood Pressure Control Laboratory.

Background The National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network Blood Pressure Control Laboratory Surveillance System was established to identify opportunities for blood pressure (BP) control improvement and to provide a mechanism for tracking improvement longitudinally. Methods and Results We conducted a serial cross-sectional study with queries against standardized electronic health record data in the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) common data model returned by 25 participating US health systems. Queries produced BP control metrics for adults with well-documented hypertension and a recent encounter at the health system for a series of 1-year measurement periods for each quarter of available data from January 2017 to March 2020.

Evaluating the Anticancer Activity of Natural Products Using a Novel 3D Culture Model.

Natural products, particularly as anticancer agents, continue to provide prototypes for pharmacologically active compounds. Compared with traditional two-dimensional (2D) approaches, 3D cell cultures have shown a clear role in drug discovery and development as they more closely resemble in vivo cell environments and come closer to capturing the in vivo functions of organs and tissues. The growing interest in using more physiological in vitro cancer models has driven the adoption of 3D cell cultures in evaluating anticancer activities of natural products.

PGK1 : An Essential Player in Modulating Tumor Metabolism.

Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) is the first enzyme in glycolysis to generate a molecule of ATP in the conversion of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPG) to 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG). In addition to the role of glycolysis, PGK-1 acts as a polymerase alpha cofactor protein, with effects on the tricarboxylic acid cycle, DNA replication and repair. Posttranslational modifications such as methylation, phosphorylation, and acetylation have been seen to activate PGK1 in cancer.

The New Frontier of Three-Dimensional Culture Models to Scale-Up Cancer Research.

In vitro cancer research models require the utmost accuracy and precision to effectively investigate physiological pathways and mechanisms, as well as test the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs. Although two-dimensional (2D) cell culture models have been the traditional hallmark of cancer research, increasing evidence suggests 2D tumor models cannot accurately recapitulate complex aspects of tumor cells and drug responses. Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, however, are more physiologically relevant in oncology as they model the cancer network and microenvironment better, allowing for development and assessment of natural products and other anticancer drugs.

SHOX2 cooperates with STAT3 to promote breast cancer metastasis through the transcriptional activation of WASF3.

Background: Metastasis is most often the root cause of cancer-related death. Human short stature homeobox 2 (SHOX2), a homeodomain transcription factor, is a novel inducer of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells, though its exact role and underlying mechanisms in metastasis are not well understood.

Methods: TCGA analysis was performed to identify the clinical relevance of SHOX2 in breast cancer.

Exploring experiences of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosis, treatment, and impacts on quality of life among middle-aged and older adults: An interview study.

Background: Limited studies exist that describe diagnosis, treatment, and management experiences of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This study's purpose is to characterize patient experiences related to symptom onset, diagnosis, symptom management, support from healthcare professionals, and impacts on daily living.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted using open-ended questions and question probes were conducted with adults aged ≥18 years diagnosed with HCM ≥1 year prior.

Multifaceted Roles of Long Non-coding RNAs in Head and Neck Cancer.

The majority of RNA transcripts are non-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts with lengths exceeding 200 nucleotides that are not translated into protein. Unlike microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) are not confined to a single mechanism of action but have a large and diverse role in biological processes as they can function as transcription regulators, decoys, scaffolds, and enhancer RNAs. Currently, many lncRNA molecules are under investigation for their role in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and prognosis in different types of cancer.

FGF19/FGFR4 signaling axis confines and switches the role of melatonin in head and neck cancer metastasis.

Background: There is no consensus about the effective dosages of melatonin in cancer management, thus, it is imperative to fully understand the dose-dependent responsiveness of cancer cells to melatonin and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells with or without melatonin treatment were used as a research platform. Gene depletion was achieved by short hairpin RNA, small interfering RNA, and CRISPR/Cas9.

Unveiling Tumor Microenvironment Interactions Using Zebrafish Models.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a rich and active arena that is strategically evolved overtime by tumors to promote their survival and dissemination. Over the years, attention has been focused to characterize and identify the tumor-supporting roles and subsequent targeting potentials of TME components. Nevertheless, recapitulating the human TME has proved inherently challenging, leaving much to be explored.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2021 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association.

Background: The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

Methods: The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update.