Phase Ib clinical and pharmacodynamic study of the TIE2 kinase inhibitor rebastinib with paclitaxel or eribulin in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: Breast cancer cells disseminate to distant sites via Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis (TMEM) doorways. The TIE2 inhibitor rebastinib blocks TMEM doorway function in the PyMT mouse model of breast cancer. We aimed to assess the safety and pharmacodynamics of rebastinib plus paclitaxel or eribulin in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Neoadjuvant T-DM1 for HER2-positive breast cancer used as a bridging strategy during COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned-a case series.

Background: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has played a pivotal role in changing medical care around the world. During the pandemic, the operating rooms (ORs) were closed to elective surgery. Since breast cancer surgery is not regarded as an emergent procedure, there was an adoption of treatment regimen modification due to delays in treatment.

Capsules for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders- A Game Changer.

Purpose Of Review: Over the last few decades, there have been remarkable strides in endoscopy and radiological imaging that have advanced gastroenterology. However, the management of neurogastroenterological disorders has lagged behind, in part handicapped by the use of catheter-based manometry that is both non-physiological and uncomfortable. The advent of capsule technology has been a game changer for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Arthroscopic Implantation of Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Improves Cartilage Regeneration and Pain Relief in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Purpose: To compare the pain relief and cartilage repair status of patients with knee osteoarthritis who received arthroscopic treatment with or without stromal vascular fraction (SVF) implantation.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the patients who were examined with 12-month follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after arthroscopic treatment for knee osteoarthritis from September 2019 to April 2021. Patients were included in this study if they had grade 3 or 4 knee osteoarthritis according to the Outerbridge classification in MRI.

Ventilation strategies based on an aerodynamic analysis during a large-scale SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in an acute-care hospital.

Background: This study aimed to investigate ventilation strategies to prevent nosocomial transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective epidemiological investigation of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in a teaching hospital (February-March 2021). The largest outbreak ward was studied, and measurements were taken to determine the pressure difference and air change per hour (ACH) of the rooms.

Cartilage lesion size and number of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells strongly influenced the SVF implantation outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose: This study evaluated outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis following stromal vascular fraction implantation and assessed the associated prognostic factors.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 43 patients who underwent follow-up magnetic resonance imaging 12 months after stromal vascular fraction implantation for knee osteoarthritis. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale and measured at baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up appointments.

Steady amelioration of institutional hand hygiene behavior among health care personnel after 12-year consistent intervention.

Background: Institutional hand hygiene (HH) behavior is difficult to monitor and improve consistently, especially over long periods. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of HH promotion activities.

Method: We launched the HH promotion team in 2010 and conducted interventions including goal setting, observation and feedback, education, reward incentives, and accountability.

Crystal structure of the Ate1 arginyl-tRNA-protein transferase and arginylation of N-degron substrates.

N-degron pathways are proteolytic systems that target proteins bearing N-terminal (Nt) degradation signals (degrons) called N-degrons. Nt-Arg of a protein is among Nt-residues that can be recognized as destabilizing ones by the Arg/N-degron pathway. A proteolytic cleavage of a protein can generate Arg at the N terminus of a resulting C-terminal (Ct) fragment either directly or after Nt-arginylation of that Ct-fragment by the Ate1 arginyl-tRNA-protein transferase (R-transferase), which uses Arg-tRNA as a cosubstrate.

A SARS-CoV-2 outbreak associated with vaccine breakthrough in an acute care hospital.

Background: We aimed to analyze an outbreak caused by a vaccine breakthrough infection in a hospital with an active infection control program where 91.9% of health care workers were vaccinated.

Methods: We investigated a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak between September 9 and October 2, 2021, in a referral teaching hospital in Korea.

Malnutrition Increases Hospital Length of Stay and Mortality among Adult Inpatients with COVID-19.

Background: Malnutrition has been linked to adverse health economic outcomes. There is a paucity of data on malnutrition in patients admitted with COVID-19. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study consisting of 4311 COVID-19 adult (18 years and older) inpatients at 5 Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospitals between 1 March and 3 December 2020.

Primary results of STRONG: An open-label, multicenter, phase 3b study of fixed-dose durvalumab monotherapy in previously treated patients with urinary tract carcinoma.

Background: Prior durvalumab (anti-PD-L1 agent) studies in platinum-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma evaluated a dose of 10 mg/kg administered every two weeks. The nonrandomised phase 3b STRONG study (NCT03084471) evaluated the safety and efficacy of fixed-dose durvalumab at a more convenient dosing schedule in a previously treated patient population, more similar to a real-world clinical setting.

Patients And Methods: 867 patients with urothelial or nonurothelial urinary tract carcinoma (UTC) who progressed on or after platinum or nonplatinum chemotherapy were treated with durvalumab 1500 mg every four weeks; 87% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0-1, and 13% had an ECOG PS of 2.

Posterior Thoracic Cage Interbody Fusion Offers Solid Bone Fusion with Sagittal Alignment Preservation for Decompression and Fusion Surgery in Lower Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Spine.

Objective: It is challenging to make solid fusion by posterior screw fixation and laminectomy with posterolateral fusion (PLF) in thoracic and thoracolumbar (TL) diseases. In this study, we report our experience and follow-up results with a new surgical technique entitled posterior thoracic cage interbody fusion (PTCIF) for thoracic and TL spine in comparison with conventional PLF.

Methods: After institutional review board approval, a total of 57 patients who underwent PTCIF (n=30) and conventional PLF (n=27) for decompression and fusion in thoracic and TL spine between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed.

A 4-Year Follow-Up of Subjects with Visually Equivocal Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography Findings from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Cohort.

Background: To date, the clinical significance of visually equivocal amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) has not been well established.

Objective: We studied the clinical significance of equivocal amyloid PET images from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI).

Methods: Subjects with F-18 florbetapir PET scans at baseline who were followed up for 4 years were selected.

Perspectives on PARP inhibitors as pharmacotherapeutic strategies for breast cancer.

Approximately 10% of all breast cancer cases occur in individuals who have germline pathogenic variants of the BRCA 1, BRCA 2, and other genes associated with impaired DNA damage repair that is associated with an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Inhibitors of poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) induce synthetic lethality in cancer cells harboring such pathogenic variants. In this review, the authors review the mechanisms of action, antitumor activity, and adverse events associated with PARP inhibitors for the treatment of advanced breast cancer.

Effects of endogenous and exogenous oestrogen exposure on hearing level in postmenopausal women: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the effect of endogenous and exogenous oestrogen exposure on hearing levels in postmenopausal women.

Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: Population-based survey data collected by the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012.

Comparative Effectiveness of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Aspirin and Clopidogrel Versus Aspirin Monotherapy in Mild-to-Moderate Acute Ischemic Stroke According to the Risk of Recurrent Stroke: An Analysis of 15 000 Patients From a Nationwide, Multicenter Registry.

Background: This study compared the effectiveness of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel-aspirin with that of aspirin monotherapy (AM) in mild-to-moderate acute ischemic stroke considering the risk of recurrent stroke using the Stroke Prognosis Instrument II (SPI-II) score.

Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of data from a prospective, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry database between January 2011 and July 2018. We included patients with mild-to-moderate (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤10), acute (within 24 hours of onset), noncardioembolic ischemic stroke.

Shortcomings of Trials Assessing Antidepressants in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Critical Review.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder requiring complex, multidisciplinary management. Antidepressants are commonly used and recommended in guidelines for the treatment of patients with IBS. We assessed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on antidepressants in patients with IBS, with specific attention to study design and data quality/reporting characteristics.

Scope of a weekly infection control team rounding in an acute-care teaching hospital: a pilot study.

Regular and well-organized inspection of infection control is an essential element of an infection control program. The aim of this study was to identify the functional scope of weekly infection control team rounding (ICTR) in an acute care hospital. We conducted weekly ICTR between January 18 and December 26, 2018 to improve the compliance to infection control and prevention measures at a 734-bed academic hospital in the Republic of Korea and analyzed the results retrospectively.

HNG, A Humanin Analogue, Promotes Hair Growth by Inhibiting Anagen-to-Catagen Transition.

The hair follicle goes through repetitive cycles including anagen, catagen, and telogen. The interaction of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and keratinocytes regulates the hair cycle and hair growth. Humanin was discovered in the surviving brain cells of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Acute appendicitis is associated with appendiceal microbiome changes including elevated levels.

Objectives: To compare the appendiceal microbiomes and examine the prevalence of species in the appendices of adult subjects with confirmed acute non-perforated appendicitis and controls with healthy appendices.

Design: Archived samples of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded appendiceal tissues were obtained from 50 consecutive female subjects who underwent appendectomy for acute, non-perforated appendicitis, and 35 consecutive female controls who underwent incidental appendectomy during gynaecological surgery.

Results: 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the relative abundances (RAs) of the major phyla in appendiceal tissues (Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria) were similar in both groups.

Chronic Constipation in the United States: Results From a Population-Based Survey Assessing Healthcare Seeking and Use of Pharmacotherapy.

Objectives: Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is characterized by unsatisfactory defecation and difficult or infrequent stools. CIC affects 9%-20% of adults in the United States, and although prevalent, gaps in knowledge remain regarding CIC healthcare seeking and medication use in the community. We recruited a population-based sample to determine the prevalence and predictors of (i) individuals having discussed their constipation symptoms with a healthcare provider and (ii) the use of constipation therapies.