Gender and Authorship in Annals of Surgery: A nineteen-year review including the pandemic.

Objective: We examined article submission data from the Annals of Surgery to assess gender bias in publishing.

Background: Medicine has long been a male-dominated practice, particularly in surgical fields. A key criterion for promotion in academic medicine is the publication record.

Epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

To investigate incidence, treatment patterns and outcomes of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NEN) in the United States. The 2019 National Cancer Database was searched for adult GEP-NEN patients. Main outcomes included overall and site-specific incidence, treatment patterns, and overall survival (OS).

SARS-CoV-2 infection of salivary glands Compromises the production of a secreted antifungal peptide with potential implications for Development of oral candidiasis.

Saliva contains antimicrobial peptides considered integral components of host innate immunity, and crucial for protection against colonizing microbial species. Most notable is histatin-5 which is exclusively produced in salivary glands with uniquely potent antifungal activity against the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. Recently, SARS-CoV-2 was shown to replicate in salivary gland acinar cells eliciting local immune cell activation.

Estimation of Cancer Deaths Averted From Prevention, Screening, and Treatment Efforts, 1975-2020.

Importance: Cancer mortality has decreased over time, but the contributions of different interventions across the cancer control continuum to averting cancer deaths have not been systematically evaluated across major cancer sites.

Objective: To quantify the contributions of prevention, screening (to remove precursors [interception] or early detection), and treatment to cumulative number of cancer deaths averted from 1975 to 2020 for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In this model-based study using population-level cancer mortality data, outputs from published models developed by the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network were extended to quantify cancer deaths averted through 2020.

Molecular Oxygen (O) Artifacts in Tandem Mass Spectra.

Peak annotation plays an important role in mass spectral evaluation of the NIST 2023 tandem mass spectral library. While most fragment ions are formed by neutral losses, there are peaks that represent adduct ions from these fragments. Previously, we have reported two main types of addition reactions in the collision cell, namely addition of HO and N.

Identification of raccoon rabies virus variant in a stray kitten: the role of veterinary practitioners in detection and reporting of a non-native zoonotic pathogen-Nebraska, 2023.

Rabies is a fatal encephalitic disease affecting all mammals. This report describes identification of raccoon rabies virus variant isolated from a stray kitten in an urban Midwestern city that is nonendemic for this virus variant. The kitten originally presented with nonspecific neurologic abnormalities.

Neonatal Miliaria Pustulosa-A Case Series.

Background/objectives: Miliaria pustulosa is a noninfectious, transient skin eruption of pustules overlying erythematous plaques secondary to obstruction of eccrine glands. There are very few case reports in the literature detailing miliaria pustulosa in neonates. When presenting in neonates, its similarity to life-threatening infections may cause diagnostic confusion.

A human monoclonal antibody neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants containing the L452R mutation.

The effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic antibodies targeting the spike (S) receptor-binding domain (RBD) has been hampered by the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs), which have acquired mutations to escape neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). These mutations are not evenly distributed on the RBD surface but cluster on several distinct surfaces, suggesting an influence of the targeted epitope on the capacity to neutralize a broad range of VOCs. Here, we identified a potent nAb from convalescent patients targeting the receptor-binding domain of a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

Undergraduate musculoskeletal ultrasound training based on current national guidelines-a prospective controlled study on transferability.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is integral to routine clinical diagnostics for musculoskeletal and joint disorders. This study aims to establish and validate a sonography course tailored to undergraduate medical students acquiring MSUS-specific skills at a German university.

Methods: A blended learning training concept, comprising 24 instruction sessions of 45 min each, was designed based on the current national guidelines of the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM).

Notes from the Field: Enhanced Surveillance for Raccoon Rabies Virus Variant and Vaccination of Wildlife for Management - Omaha, Nebraska, October 2023-July 2024.

On September 28, 2023, a kitten aged approximately 6 weeks found in Omaha, Nebraska, had test results positive for rabies at the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center (NVDC) after dying with neurologic signs and having bitten and scratched its caretakers. Preliminary investigation identified 10 exposed persons for whom postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was recommended. Subsequent variant-typing by NVDC yielded a presumptive positive result for the Eastern raccoon rabies virus variant (RRVV), which CDC confirmed on October 6.

Uracil phosphoribosyltransferase is required to establish a functional cytochrome bf complex.

Arabidopsis uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPP) is an essential enzyme and plants lacking this enzyme are strongly compromised in chloroplast function. Our analysis of UPP amiRNA mutants has confirmed that this vital function is crucial to establish a fully functional photosynthesis as the RIESKE iron sulfur protein (PetC) is almost absent, leading to a block in photosynthetic electron transport. Interestingly, this function appears to be unrelated to nucleotide homeostasis since nucleotide levels were not altered in the studied mutants.

Breast Cancer Screening Using Mammography, Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging by Breast Density.

Importance: Information on long-term benefits and harms of screening with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) with or without supplemental breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is needed for clinical and policy discussions, particularly for patients with dense breasts.

Objective: To project long-term population-based outcomes for breast cancer mammography screening strategies (DBT or digital mammography) with or without supplemental MRI by breast density.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Collaborative modeling using 3 Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) breast cancer simulation models informed by US Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium data.

Variation of Site-Specific Glycosylation Profiles of Recombinant Influenza Glycoproteins.

This work presents a detailed determination of site-specific N-glycan distributions of the recombinant influenza glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase. Variation in glycosylation among recombinant glycoproteins is not predictable and can depend on details of the biomanufacturing process as well as details of protein structure. In this study, recombinant influenza proteins were analyzed from eight strains of four different suppliers.

Tumor response assessment in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with immunotherapy: imaging biomarkers for clinical decision-making.

Objective: To compare the performance of 1D and 3D tumor response assessment for predicting median overall survival (mOS) in patients who underwent immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Patients with HCC who underwent immunotherapy between 2017 and 2023 and received multi-phasic contrast-enhanced MRIs pre- and post-treatment were included in this retrospective study. Tumor response was measured using 1D, RECIST 1.

A single arm phase 2 clinical trial of YIV-906 with neoadjuvant concurrent chemo-radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background: Pre-operative chemoradiation for rectal cancer is often associated with severe gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity which can interrupt, delay, and/or lead to termination of treatment. In this study, we evaluated whether the addition of YIV-906, a novel herbal medicine proven to reduce GI toxicity associated with chemotherapy could also reduce GI side effects during standard pre-operative capecitabine and pelvic radiation therapy (RT) in the neoadjuvant setting for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer.

Methods: This single arm clinical study enrolled 24 patients between Dec 23, 2014-Sep 17, 2018 at Smilow Cancer Hospital, a comprehensive cancer center at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Perioperative Modified FOLFIRINOX for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Importance: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignant tumor, and durable disease control is rare with the current standard of care, even for patients who undergo surgical resection.

Objective: To assess whether neoadjuvant modified 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (mFOLFIRINOX) leads to early control of micrometastasis and improves survival.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This open-label, single-arm, phase 2 nonrandomized controlled trial for resectable PDAC was conducted at the Yale Smilow Cancer Hospital from April 3, 2014, to August 16, 2021.

Longitudinal patient-reported outcomes on genotype-guided irinotecan dosing: feasibility and clinical relevance.

Introduction: Standard investigator-based adverse events (AE) assessment is via CTCAE for clinical trials. However, including the patient perspective through PRO (patient-reported outcomes) enhances clinicians' understanding of patient toxicity and fosters early detection of AEs. We assessed longitudinal integration of PRO-CTCAE within clinical workflow in a phase II trial.

Interventional analytics in skilled nursing facilities associated with reduced readmissions.

Objective: To assess differences in longitudinal profiles for 30-day risk-adjusted readmission rates in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) associated with Penn Medicine's Lancaster General Hospital (LGH) that implemented an interventional analytics (IA) platform vs other LGH facilities lacking IA vs other SNFs in Pennsylvania vs facilities in all other states.

Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal analysis of CMS readmissions data from 2017 through 2022, and cross-sectional analysis using CMS quality metrics data.

Methods: CMS SNF quality performance data were aggregated and compared with risk-adjusted readmissions by facility and time period.

Shoulder and Knee Arthroscopy Access Point: Prospective Comparison of Sonographic and Palpatory Detection - Which Method is Better for Novices?

 Arthroscopy is one of the most common interventions in orthopedics. Hence it is important to train users early in order to ensure the safest possible identification of access portals (AP). This prospective study aimed to compare a palpatory (PalpMethod) with a sonographic (SonoMethod) method for AP location in the shoulder and knee joints.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Salivary Glands Compromises Oral Antifungal Innate Immunity and Predisposes to Oral Candidiasis.

Saliva contains antimicrobial peptides considered integral components of host innate immunity, and crucial for protection against colonizing microbial species. Most notable is histatin-5 which is exclusively produced in salivary glands with uniquely potent antifungal activity against the opportunistic pathogen . Recently, SARS-CoV-2 was shown to replicate in salivary gland acinar cells eliciting local immune cell activation.