Preserved muscle oxidative metabolic phenotype in newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer cachexia.

Background: Cachexia augments cancer-related mortality and has devastating effects on quality of life. Pre-clinical studies indicate that systemic inflammation-induced loss of muscle oxidative phenotype (OXPHEN) stimulates cancer-induced muscle wasting. The aim of the current proof of concept study is to validate the presence of muscle OXPHEN loss in newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer, especially in those with cachexia.

Expanding the safety net of specialty care for the uninsured: a case study.

Objective: To describe core principles and processes in the implementation of a navigated care program to improve specialty care access for the uninsured.

Study Setting: Academic researchers, safety-net providers, and specialty physicians, partnered with hospitals and advocates for the underserved to establish Project Access-New Haven (PA-NH). PA-NH expands access to specialty care for the uninsured and coordinates care through patient navigation.

Project Access-New Haven: improving access to specialty care for patients without insurance.

Background: Poor access to specialty care among uninsured adults threatens the delivery of quality health care and may contribute to the misuse and overuse of emergency departments and hospitals.

Intervention: We sought to improve access to specialty care through a program called Project Access-New Haven (PA-NH),which engages specialty physicians and hospitals to volunteer in a coordinated-care model for the uninsured. Patient navigators guide patients through the health-care network and help to alleviate administrative obstacles.

Predictors of compliance with free endoscopic colorectal cancer screening in uninsured adults.

Background: National guidelines endorse colonoscopy as the only colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test which prevents CRC and evaluates the entire large bowel. However, little is known regarding patient compliance with a screening program that exclusively uses colonoscopy, particularly in an underserved population. The Connecticut Department of Public Health provided funds for the total cost of colonoscopies, patient navigators and education of staff and primary care providers.

Isolated gastric malakoplakia: a case report and review of the literature.

A 62-year-old African American woman presented with weight loss and dyspepsia. She did not have any clinical evidence of immunodeficiency. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed multiple small polypoid lesions in the gastric body and fundus that appeared larger and more erythematous than usual fundic gland polyps.