Evaluation of Miracle Mouthwash plus Hydrocortisone Versus Prednisolone Mouth Rinses as Prophylaxis for Everolimus-Associated Stomatitis: A Randomized Phase II Study.

Background: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor-associated stomatitis (mIAS) is a frequent adverse event (AE) associated with mTOR inhibitor therapy and can impact treatment adherence. The objectives are to evaluate two steroid-based mouthrinses for preventing/ameliorating mIAS in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with everolimus.

Materials And Methods: This prospective, randomized phase II study enrolled 100 postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive MBC within the US Oncology Network who were initiating therapy with an aromatase inhibitor + everolimus (AIE; 10 mg/day).

Case Report: Energy Field Changes Approaching and During the Death Experience.

Background: This case report, addressing the aspect of the art of nursing devoted to end-of-life care, discusses subtle energy changes identified in the literature and observed in 3 case studies during the dying process. Biofield changes were noted during 3 case studies using assessment procedures of hand scan and penduling. Comparisons were made with near-death experiences reported in the literature and reports of care providers regarding subtle energy changes observed during their care of the terminally ill as they moved through the dying process.

Biosimilars: Implications for Clinical Practice.

In 2015, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first biosimilar, filgrastim-sndz, a biosimilar of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor filgrastim. Since that time, the FDA has approved four additional biosimilar tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors, and, in May 2017, the Oncology Drug Advisory Committee voted in favor of approval of an epoetin alfa biosimilar. The patents of several widely used biologic cancer therapies (including trastuzumab, rituximab, bevacizumab, cetuximab, and pegfilgrastim) are recently expired or due to expire in the near future, so the introduction of biosimilars into the oncology treatment armamentarium is imminent.

Incidence and Predictive Factors for Recovery of Ovarian Function in Amenorrheic Women in Their 40s Treated With Letrozole.

Purpose: This prospective study assessed the impact of 2 years of aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy on the incidence of ovarian function recovery (OFR) in women age 40 to 49 with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who were premenopausal at diagnosis and who underwent chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea during adjuvant treatment.

Patients And Methods: Women age 40 to 49 with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who had ceased menstruating with adjuvant cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy, had postmenopausal serum estradiol (E2), and had received tamoxifen for ≥ 1 year were treated with letrozole (2.5 mg) daily for ≥ 2 years.

Improved class preparation and learning through immediate feedback in group testing for undergraduate nursing students.

Purpose: A mixed-method educational evaluation project to increase learning through testing was conducted in a required senior nursing course.

Method: The Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IF-AT) was used to motivate preparation for optimal final examination performance. Students took multiple-choice final exams in small groups, used critical thinking and collaboration to select best answers, and then used scratch-off answer sheets indicating correct answers.

Long-acting reversible contraception.

Although short-acting reversible hormonal contraceptives, such as oral contraceptives and the contraceptive patch and vaginal ring, remain the most commonly used contraceptive methods in the United States, they are also associated with the highest failure rates. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, such as intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants, offer high continuation rates and very low failure rates, and are safe for use in most women. The provision of LARC methods to adolescent, young adult and nulliparous women is a relatively new concept that offers an innovative option for these populations.

Proceedings of the First Global Workshop on Breast Cancer: pathways to the evaluation and clinical development of novel agents for breast cancer.

The number of treatment options available to patients with breast cancer is larger and more complex than ever before. This is due in part to increased understanding of breast cancer tumor biology and the signaling pathways involved in tumor development and progression, which drives new areas of breast cancer research and the development of novel agents. Therapies targeting HER2 signaling, angiogenesis, DNA repair, and many other essential cellular processes that are dysregulated in cancer have produced significant improvements in disease outcome, although careful patient selection and toxicity management are required to maximize their therapeutic potential.

Women's risk of heart disease: promoting awareness and prevention--a primary care approach.

Despite advances in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, the public and health care practitioners remain largely unaware of its threat for women. The risk and occurrence of heart disease in women are reviewed, and current resources for clinicians and patients are identified.

Total dose intravenous infusion of iron dextran for iron-deficiency anemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Iron-deficiency anemia is a frequent complication in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Parenteral iron therapy is rarely prescribed because of concern about potential side effects. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of total dose intravenous (TDI) iron therapy.