Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors for urothelial carcinoma: systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose: To compare disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) among muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) patients receiving adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) versus placebo/observation following radical surgery.

Methods: This was a systematic review/meta-analysis of all published phase 3 randomized controlled trials. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched from inception until April 4, 2024.

Directional integration and pathway enrichment analysis for multi-omics data.

Omics techniques generate comprehensive profiles of biomolecules in cells and tissues. However, a holistic understanding of underlying systems requires joint analyses of multiple data modalities. We present DPM, a data fusion method for integrating omics datasets using directionality and significance estimates of genes, transcripts, or proteins.

Association of whole-person eigen-polygenic risk scores with Alzheimer's disease.

Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder with complex etiology and high heritability. Its multifactorial risk profile and large portions of unexplained heritability suggest the involvement of yet unidentified genetic risk factors. Here we describe the "whole person" genetic risk landscape of polygenic risk scores for 2218 traits in 2044 elderly individuals and test if novel eigen-PRSs derived from clustered subnetworks of single-trait PRSs can improve the prediction of LOAD diagnosis, rates of cognitive decline, and canonical LOAD neuropathology.

Ultrafast Computational Screening of Molecules with Inverted Singlet-Triplet Energy Gaps Using the Pariser-Parr-Pople Semiempirical Quantum Chemistry Method.

Molecules with an inverted energy gap between their first singlet and triplet excited states have promising applications in the next generation of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials. Unfortunately, such molecules are rare, and only a handful of examples are currently known. High-throughput virtual screening could assist in finding novel classes of these molecules, but current efforts are hampered by the high computational cost of the required quantum chemical methods.

Precision Oncology in Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), including gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), are mesenchymal neoplasms with heterogeneous clinical behavior and represent broad categories comprising multiple distinct biologic entities. Multidisciplinary management of these rare tumors is critical. To date, multiple studies have outlined the importance of biological characterization of mesenchymal tumors and have identified key molecular alterations which drive tumor biology.

Management of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Today, and in the Future.

Treatment options have expanded rapidly and widely in the past two decades for patients with multiple myeloma. Triplet novel agent-based induction regimens have been accepted as the standard practice wordwide over the last decade both for transplant-eligible and non-eligible patients. The addition of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies as part of quadruplet regimens has led to even deeper and longer-lasting responses.

Metronomic chemotherapy in ovarian cancer.

Translational research and the development of targeted therapies have transformed the therapeutic landscape in epithelial ovarian cancer over the last decade. However, recurrent ovarian cancer continues to pose formidable challenges to therapeutic interventions, necessitating innovative strategies to optimize treatment outcomes. Current research focuses on the development of pharmaceuticals that target potential resistance pathways to DNA repair pathways.

Observation of ultrafast interfacial Meitner-Auger energy transfer in a Van der Waals heterostructure.

Atomically thin layered van der Waals heterostructures feature exotic and emergent optoelectronic properties. With growing interest in these novel quantum materials, the microscopic understanding of fundamental interfacial coupling mechanisms is of capital importance. Here, using multidimensional photoemission spectroscopy, we provide a layer- and momentum-resolved view on ultrafast interlayer electron and energy transfer in a monolayer-WSe/graphene heterostructure.

A total inverse planning paradigm: Prospective clinical trial evaluating the performance of a novel MR-based 3D-printed head immobilization device.

Background And Purpose: Brain radiotherapy (cnsRT) requires reproducible positioning and immobilization, attained through redundant dedicated imaging studies and a bespoke moulding session to create a thermoplastic mask (T-mask). Innovative approaches may improve the value of care. We prospectively deployed and assessed the performance of a patient-specific 3D-printed mask (3Dp-mask), generated solely from MR imaging, to replicate a reproducible positioning and tolerable immobilization for patients undergoing cnsRT.

Toxicity and outcomes of melanoma brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery: the risk of subsequent symptomatic intralesional hemorrhage exceeds that of radiation necrosis.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the outcomes and patterns of toxicity in patients with melanoma brain metastases (MBM) treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with or without immunotherapy (IO).

Methods: From a prospective registry, we reviewed MBM patients treated with single fraction Gamma Knife SRS between 2008 and 2021 at our center. We recorded all systemic therapies (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy) administered before, during, or after SRS.

Pain resolution and functional outcomes of total mesh excision: a case series.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The objective was to assess the impact of total excision of polypropylene midurethral slings (MUS) on patient pain levels and to report on functional outcomes including recurrent/de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI), sexual function, and quality of life measures.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent total MUS excision from March 2017 to December 2019. The primary outcome was the impact on pain assessed by a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).

Small Renal Masses: The Evolving Histologic, Imaging, and Genomic Landscapes.

According to the American Cancer Society, it is currently estimated that approximately 81,800 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2023 [...

Use of radiation therapy among patients with Extensive-stage Small-cell lung cancer receiving Immunotherapy: Canadian consensus recommendations.

Objectives: Thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) are commonly used in the management of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC); however, Phase III trials of first-line immunotherapy often excluded these options. Guidance is needed regarding appropriate use of TRT, PCI, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) surveillance while new data are awaited.

Materials And Methods: In two web-based meetings, a pan-Canadian expert working group of five radiation oncologists and four medical oncologists addressed eight clinical questions regarding use of radiation therapy (RT) and MRI surveillance among patients with ES-SCLC receiving immunotherapy.

A Bayesian approach to estimating COVID-19 incidence and infection fatality rates.

Naive estimates of incidence and infection fatality rates (IFR) of coronavirus disease 2019 suffer from a variety of biases, many of which relate to preferential testing. This has motivated epidemiologists from around the globe to conduct serosurveys that measure the immunity of individuals by testing for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the blood. These quantitative measures (titer values) are then used as a proxy for previous or current infection.

The Anatomy of a Hybrid In-Person and Virtual Sexual Health Clinic in Oncology.

Sexual health is compromised by the diagnosis and treatment of virtually all cancer types. Despite the prevalence and negative impact of sexual dysfunction, sexual health clinics are the exception in cancer centers. Consequently, there is a need for effective, efficient, and inclusive sexual health programming in oncology.

Perceived guideline clarity impacts guideline-concordant care for breast cancer screening in women age 40-49.

Background: Canadian and US Task Forces recommend against routine mammography screening for women age 40-49 at average breast cancer risk as harms outweigh benefits. Both suggest individualized decisions based on the relative value women place on potential screening benefits and harms. Population-based data reveal variation in primary care professionals (PCPs) mammography rates in this age group after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, highlighting the need to explore PCP screening perspectives and how this informs clinical behaviours.

Temporal Models for Demographic and Global Health Outcomes in Multiple Populations: Introducing a New Framework to Review and Standardise Documentation of Model Assumptions and Facilitate Model Comparison.

There is growing interest in producing estimates of demographic and global health indicators in populations with limited data. Statistical models are needed to combine data from multiple data sources into estimates and projections with uncertainty. Diverse modelling approaches have been applied to this problem, making comparisons between models difficult.

Models of Classroom Assessment for Course-Based Research Experiences.

Course-based research pedagogy involves positioning students as contributors to authentic research projects as part of an engaging educational experience that promotes their learning and persistence in science. To develop a model for assessing and grading students engaged in this type of learning experience, the assessment aims and practices of a community of experienced course-based research instructors were collected and analyzed. This approach defines four aims of course-based research assessment - 1) Assessing Laboratory Work and Scientific Thinking; 2) Evaluating Mastery of Concepts, Quantitative Thinking and Skills; 3) Appraising Forms of Scientific Communication; and 4) Metacognition of Learning - along with a set of practices for each aim.

Observation of Multi-Directional Energy Transfer in a Hybrid Plasmonic-Excitonic Nanostructure.

Hybrid plasmonic devices involve a nanostructured metal supporting localized surface plasmons to amplify light-matter interaction, and a non-plasmonic material to functionalize charge excitations. Application-relevant epitaxial heterostructures, however, give rise to ballistic ultrafast dynamics that challenge the conventional semiclassical understanding of unidirectional nanometal-to-substrate energy transfer. Epitaxial Au nanoislands are studied on WSe with time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and femtosecond electron diffraction: this combination of techniques resolves material, energy, and momentum of charge-carriers and phonons excited in the heterostructure.

Plasma-first: accelerating lung cancer diagnosis and molecular profiling through liquid biopsy.

Introduction: Molecular profiling of tumor tissue is the gold standard for treatment decision-making in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results may be delayed or unavailable due to insufficient tissue, prolonged wait times for biopsy, pathology assessment and testing. We piloted the use of plasma testing in the initial diagnostic workup for patients with suspected advanced lung cancer.

Targeting the FGFR Pathway in Urothelial Carcinoma: the Future Is Now.

As we come to better understand cancer genomics, we are increasingly shifting towards precision medicine. FGFR has been elucidated as one of the oncogenic driver pathways in urothelial carcinoma, leading to exciting targeted drug development. Although many agents are being investigated, erdafitinib is the only FGFR inhibitor currently approved by the FDA for treating platinum-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma harboring susceptible FGFR2/3 alterations, with seemingly higher response rates than second-line chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Patient consent preferences on sharing personal health information during the COVID-19 pandemic: "the more informed we are, the more likely we are to help".

Background: Rapid ethical access to personal health information (PHI) to support research is extremely important during pandemics, yet little is known regarding patient preferences for consent during such crises. This follow-up study sought to ascertain whether there were differences in consent preferences between pre-pandemic times compared to during Wave 1 of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and to better understand the reasons behind these preferences.

Methods: A total of 183 patients in the pandemic cohort completed the survey via email, and responses were compared to the distinct pre-pandemic cohort (n = 222); all were patients of a large Canadian cancer center.