Prospective Evaluation of Circulating Tumor DNA using Next Generation Sequencing as a Biomarker during Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Localized Pancreatic Cancer.

Objective: In this prospective study, we aim to characterize the prognostic value of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) by next-generation-sequencing (NGS) in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Summary Background Data: Circulating tumor DNA is a promising blood-based biomarker that is prognostic in several malignancies. Detection of ctDNA by NGS may provide insights regarding the mutational profiles in PDAC to help guide clinical decisions for patients in a potentially curative setting.

The Racial Divide: A Follow Up Study on Racial Disparity Amongst COVID-19 Survivors in an Urban Community.

Background: Studies have shown that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on minority groups in both the clinical and social settings in America. We conducted a follow up study on patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19 one year ago in an urban community in New Jersey. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 as well as assess for receptiveness towards COVID-19 vaccination amongst various ethnic groups.

Jejunal Adenocarcinoma: A Rare Cause of Small Bowel Obstruction.

Jejunal adenocarcinoma (JA) is both a rare type of gastrointestinal malignancy and an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction (SBO). It typically presents with vague symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and, in some cases, weight loss. Due to this vague presentation as well as lack of definitive imaging techniques, diagnosis tends to be delayed and patients typically present at later stages.

Acute Pancreatitis-Induced Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are a class of medications utilized for the treatment of diabetes mellitus by mechanisms promoting incretin release and insulin production. Although poorly understood, cases of acute pancreatitis have been observed in patients taking GLP-1 RAs. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are another class of diabetic medications inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption which have been associated with rare cases of euglycemic ketoacidosis.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in liver transplant.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis occurs due to chronic irritation of the peritoneal surface resulting in inflammation and fibrosis. Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis usually occurs in patients requiring peritoneal dialysis (PD); however, it may also occur in liver transplant patients. The fibrosis in encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis could be severe enough to cause small bowel obstruction (SBO).

Efficacy of Ibrutinib-Based Regimen in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Systematic Review.

Ibrutinib has shown to have better efficacy than standard chemoimmunotherapy in del17 positive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients; however its role in del17 negative patients is less clear. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of ibrutinib-based regimens in CLL. Seven databases were searched in accordance with PRISMA statement guidelines using the following keywords: chronic lymphocytic leukemia, CLL, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib, and PCI-32765.

Perception of Preparedness of Health Care Professionals in Case of a Nuclear, Chemical, Biological Attack/Emergency in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background With the growth of global terrorism and rapid advancements in the field of science, the threat of a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) attack remains imminent. This study assesses perceptions of preparedness of health care professionals in case of an NBC attack/incident in a tertiary care hospital. Patients and methods We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 200 health care workers (including nurses and doctors) in a tertiary care hospital, from October 2018 through December 2018.

Neuropsychiatric Manifestation of Addison's Disease: A Rare Case Report.

Addison's disease (AD), also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting males and females equally. The most common cause of AD is autoimmune adrenalitis and other causes include metastatic cancers, tuberculosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AD presents with a wide variety of signs and symptoms and thus, making a diagnosis challenging.

Endoscopic Removal of Large Sharp-edged Foreign Bodies in the Gastrointestinal Tract Using an Innovative Modification of the Overtube.

Foreign body ingestion is commonly encountered in clinical practice. According to standard guidelines, urgent therapeutic endoscopy should be performed in cases involving sharp objects to prevent complications. Although several extraction methods are available, few cases may still pose a therapeutic challenge.

Cross-regulation of T cell growth factor expression by p53 and the Tax oncogene.

In this study, we demonstrate that p53 directly inhibits expression of the T cell growth factor (IL-2) in activated T cells. This repression is independent of the intrinsic transcriptional activity of p53 and is mediated by the Tax-responsive CD28RE-3'-12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response element (AP1) element of the IL-2 promoter. Coexpression of the Tax oncogene causes full reversal of this repression through coordinate targeting of p300, CREB, and the NF-kappaB pathways.

Novel cell-specific and dominant negative anti-apoptotic roles of p73 in transformed leukemia cells.

Although extensive homology exists between related genes p53 and p73, recent data suggest that the family members have divergent roles. We demonstrate that the differential regulatory roles of p53 family member p73 are highly cell-context and promoter-specific. Full-length p73 expressed in the transformed leukemia cell line Jurkat behaves as a specific dominant negative transcriptional repressor of the cell cycle inhibitor gene p21 and blocks p53-mediated apoptosis.