Pilot Feasibility Study of Physical Activity to Manage Bowel Dysfunction in Survivors of Rectal Cancer.

Background: Low anterior resection syndrome can disrupt health-related quality of life for survivors of rectal cancer.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, satisfaction with, and benefit of a pilot telehealth physical activity counseling intervention for survivors of rectal cancer with low anterior resection syndrome.

Design: Single site, single arm prospective pre-post pilot feasibility intervention.

Proportional myoelectric control of a virtual bionic arm in participants with hemiparesis, muscle spasticity, and impaired range of motion.

Background: This research aims to improve the control of assistive devices for individuals with hemiparesis after stroke by providing intuitive and proportional motor control. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States, with 80% of stroke-related disability coming in the form of hemiparesis, presented as weakness or paresis on half of the body. Current assistive exoskeletonscontrolled via electromyography do not allow for fine force regulation.

Evaluation and lessons learned from the dissemination and implementation science scholars program in the national cancer prevention and control research network.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) has been a leader in cancer-related dissemination & implementation (D&I) science. Given increased demand for D&I research, the CPCRN Scholars Program launched in 2021 to expand the number of practitioners, researchers, and trainees proficient in cancer D&I science methods.

Methods: The evaluation was informed by a logic model and data collected through electronic surveys.

Vascular fibrosis and extracellular matrix remodelling in post-COVID 19 conditions.

Causal associations between viral infections and acute myocardial injury are not fully understood, with mechanisms potentially involving direct cardiovascular involvement or systemic inflammation. This review explores plausible mechanisms of vascular fibrosis in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome, focusing on extracellular matrix remodelling. Despite global attention, significant mechanistic or translational breakthroughs in the management of post-viral syndromes remain limited.

Perspectives on barriers to traditional sources of sexual and reproductive health information and services: Are mHealth technologies the answer?

Background: In Ghana, several qualitative studies have explored users' perspectives on conventional sources of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and factors which influence provision of and access in rural settings. However, there is a dearth of qualitative studies on healthcare provider (HCP) perspectives on factors that deter access to conventional sources of SRH information among young people in rural Ghana and innovative ways for addressing barriers. This study explored perspectives on barriers to traditional sources of SRH information and services and innovative ways of using mHealth technologies for addressing provision and access challenges among young people in rural Ghana.

Intake and Nutritional Adequacy in Patients With Cancer Diagnosed With Malignant Bowel Obstruction: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial.

Background: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is experienced by many with advanced cancer. Patients with MBO cannot eat and may have reduced ability to eat once the acute process has resolved. Sparse data exist to describe oral intake capacity and adequacy of nutrition in patients with MBO.

Enhancing neuroprosthesis calibration: the advantage of integrating prior training over exclusive use of new data.

Neuroprostheses typically operate under supervised learning, in which a machine-learning algorithm is trained to correlate neural or myoelectric activity with an individual's motor intent. Due to the stochastic nature of neuromyoelectric signals, algorithm performance decays over time. This decay is accelerated when attempting to regress proportional control of multiple joints in parallel, compared with the more typical classification-based pattern recognition control.

Host-Guest Interactions Facilitated by Chalcogen Bonding within Selenadiazole Functionalised Porphyrin Nanotubes.

The structural rigidity of tetrakis(4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TPyP) has been utilised to prepare a robust novel porous coordination polymer of composition Cd(TPyP)(sez) (TPyP=5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin, sez=1,2,5-benzoselenadiazole-5-carboxylate). The coordination polymer may be described as a hexagonal porphyrin nanotube (PNT) and has the potential to bind guest molecules through chalcogen bonding. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) data indicate an internal pore diameter ~9 Å which represents ~35 % of the crystal volume.

Running Through the Haze: How Wildfire Smoke Affects Physical Activity and Mental Well-Being.

Background: With a warming climate, extreme wildfires are more likely to occur, which may adversely affect air quality, physical activity (PA), and therefore, mental well-being.

Methods: We assessed PA engagement and mental well-being between periods with and without wildfire smoke, and whether there were associations between changes in PA behavior and mental well-being. Questionnaires on PA and mental well-being during a period of wildfire smoke were completed by 348 participants; of these participants, 162 also completed a follow-up PA and mental well-being questionnaire during a period without wildfire smoke.

'Can you have it all?' Exploring perceived gender roles in leadership through the lens of the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer's clinical fellows 2023/24.

Background: Women often face the challenge of balancing professional growth with societal expectations around family and household responsibilities. Conversely, men encounter limitations due to restrictive paternity leave policies, often receiving undue praise for basic parenting duties. Through the lens of the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer's clinical fellows 2023/24, we explore the question: 'Can you have it all?'

Methods: We explore stereotypical gender norms alongside the challenges and expectations faced by individuals of all genders on their leadership journeys.

Malnutrition risk screening in adult oncology outpatients: An ASPEN systematic review and clinical recommendations.

Background: Malnutrition screening is not widely practiced in outpatient cancer centers. This review aims to determine the validity of malnutrition screening tools and provide recommendations for clinical use.

Methods: Studies identified by a systematic review assessed the general validity of screening tools in adult oncology outpatients from five databases through 2022.

History of Infertility and Risk of Endometrial Cancer in the Women's Health Initiative.

Background: Several studies have suggested an association between infertility and risk of endometrial cancer. However, most studies have evaluated this relationship in premenopausal people, yet the mean age of endometrial cancer is 60 years, after the average age of menopause.

Methods: Our study included Women's Health Initiative participants who self-reported whether they had a history of infertility.

The American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable strategic plan: Optimizing strategies for lung nodule evaluation and management.

Lung nodules are frequently detected on low-dose computed tomography scans performed for lung cancer screening and incidentally detected on imaging performed for other reasons. There is wide variability in how lung nodules are managed by general practitioners and subspecialists, with high rates of guideline-discordant care. This may be due in part to the level of evidence underlying current practice guideline recommendations (primarily based on findings from uncontrolled studies of diagnostic accuracy).

The American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable strategic plan: Implementation of high-quality lung cancer screening.

More than a decade has passed since researchers in the Early Lung Cancer Action Project and the National Lung Screening Trial demonstrated the ability to save lives of high-risk individuals from lung cancer through regular screening by low dose computed tomography scan. The emergence of the most recent findings in the Dutch-Belgian lung-cancer screening trial (Nederlands-Leuvens Longkanker Screenings Onderzoek [NELSON]) further strengthens and expands on this evidence. These studies demonstrate the benefit of integrating lung cancer screening into clinical practice, yet lung cancer continues to lead cancer mortality rates in the United States.

Structure-Based Optimization of a Series of Covalent, Cell Active Bfl-1 Inhibitors.

Bfl-1, a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, plays a crucial role in apoptosis regulation and has been implicated in cancer cell survival and resistance to venetoclax therapy. Due to the unique cysteine residue in the BH3 binding site, the development of covalent inhibitors targeting Bfl-1 represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Herein, the optimization of a covalent cellular tool from a lead-like hit using structure based design is described.

Optimal Pair Matching Combined with Machine Learning Predicts a Significant Reduction in Myocardial Infarction Risk in African Americans Following Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation.

Conflicting clinical trial results on omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) have prompted uncertainty about their cardioprotective effects. While the VITAL trial found no overall cardiovascular benefit from n-3 HUFA supplementation, its substantial African American (AfAm) enrollment provided a unique opportunity to explore racial differences in response to n-3 HUFA supplementation. The current observational study aimed to simulate randomized clinical trial (RCT) conditions by matching 3766 AfAm and 15,553 non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals from the VITAL trial utilizing propensity score matching to address the limitations related to differences in confounding variables between the two groups.

Collagen IV deficiency causes hypertrophic remodeling and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization in small vessel disease with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: Genetic variants in COL4A1 and COL4A2 (encoding collagen IV alpha chain 1/2) occur in genetic and sporadic forms of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), a leading cause of stroke, dementia and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). However, the molecular mechanisms of CSVD with ICH and COL4A1/COL4A2 variants remain obscure.

Methods: Vascular function and molecular investigations in mice with a Col4a1 missense mutation and heterozygous Col4a2 knock-out mice were combined with analysis of human brain endothelial cells harboring COL4A1/COL4A2 mutations, and brain tissue of patients with sporadic CSVD with ICH.

Randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of a multimodal mobile application for the treatment of chronic pain.

Background: Until recently, treatments for chronic pain commonly relied on in-person interventions, and despite more hybrid care options today, capacity for delivery remains challenged. Digital programs focusing on the psychosocial aspects of pain may provide low-barrier alternatives.

Aims: Through a randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effectiveness of a multimodal mobile application.

Negative Pain Thoughts Questionnaire Short Form (NPTQ-SF) Scores and Outcomes After Arthroscopic Meniscectomy.

Background: Pain is multifactorial, and pain intensity has been shown to be influenced by patients' thoughts. The Negative Pain Thoughts Questionnaire Short Form (NPTQ-SF) can be used to quantify unhelpful negative cognitive biases about pain, but the relationship between negative pain thoughts and orthopaedic surgery outcomes is not known.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of negative pain thoughts in patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy using the NPTQ-SF survey and assess the relationship these thoughts have to knee function, general health, pain, and satisfaction before and after surgery.

A Pre-Post Study Design Exploring the Potential Benefits of a Hiking Intervention for Active and Inactive Older Adults.

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is essential for healthy aging, yet PA levels are low in older adults. Group-based nature programming may be an ideal opportunity for engaging older adults in PA and improving health-related quality of life.

Methods: Twenty-seven older adults, 55-75 years of age (n = 14 active and n = 13 previously inactive), enrolled in a biweekly 8-week hiking program.

Accelerated Discovery of Carbamate Cbl-b Inhibitors Using Generative AI Models and Structure-Based Drug Design.

Casitas B-lymphoma proto-oncogene-b (Cbl-b) is a RING finger E3 ligase that has an important role in effector T cell function, acting as a negative regulator of T cell, natural killer (NK) cell, and B cell activation. A discovery effort toward Cbl-b inhibitors was pursued in which a generative AI design engine, REINVENT, was combined with a medicinal chemistry structure-based design to discover novel inhibitors of Cbl-b. Key to the success of this effort was the evolution of the "Design" phase of the Design-Make-Test-Analyze cycle to involve iterative rounds of an in silico structure-based drug design, strongly guided by physics-based affinity prediction and machine learning DMPK predictive models, prior to selection for synthesis.