Estimating age-specific COVID-19 fatality risk and time to death by comparing population diagnosis and death patterns: Australian data.

Background: Mortality is a key component of the natural history of COVID-19 infection. Surveillance data on COVID-19 deaths and case diagnoses are widely available in the public domain, but they are not used to model time to death because they typically do not link diagnosis and death at an individual level. This paper demonstrates that by comparing the unlinked patterns of new diagnoses and deaths over age and time, age-specific mortality and time to death may be estimated using a statistical method called deconvolution.

Guidelines for Reporting Trial Protocols and Completed Trials Modified Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Extenuating Circumstances: The CONSERVE 2021 Statement.

Importance: Extenuating circumstances can trigger unplanned changes to randomized trials and introduce methodological, ethical, feasibility, and analytical challenges that can potentially compromise the validity of findings. Numerous randomized trials have required changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but guidance for reporting such modifications is incomplete.

Objective: As a joint extension for the CONSORT and SPIRIT reporting guidelines, CONSERVE (CONSORT and SPIRIT Extension for RCTs Revised in Extenuating Circumstances) aims to improve reporting of trial protocols and completed trials that undergo important modifications in response to extenuating circumstances.

Optical Evaluation for Predicting Cancer in Large Nonpedunculated Colorectal Polyps Is Accurate for Flat Lesions.

Background And Aims: The ability of optical evaluation to diagnose submucosal invasive cancer (SMIC) prior to endoscopic resection of large (≥20 mm) nonpedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs) is critical to inform therapeutic decisions. Prior studies suggest that it is insufficiently accurate to detect SMIC. It is unknown whether lesion morphology influences optical evaluation performance.

Impact of technical innovations in EMR in the treatment of large nonpedunculated polyps involving the ileocecal valve (with video).

Background And Aims: The endoscopic management of large nonpedunculated colorectal polyps involving the ileocecal valve (ICV-LNPCPs) remains challenging because of its unique anatomic features, with long-term outcomes inferior to LNPCPs not involving the ICV. We sought to evaluate the impact of technical innovations and advances in the EMR of ICV-LNPCPs.

Methods: The performance of EMR for ICV-LNPCPs was retrospectively evaluated in a prospective observational cohort of LNPCPs ≥20 mm.

Efficacy and Safety of Long-Term Evolocumab Use Among Asian Subjects - A Subgroup Analysis of the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk (FOURIER) Trial.

Background: There are concerns that Asian patients respond differently to some medications. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of evolocumab among Asian vs. other subjects in the FOURIER trial, which randomized stable atherosclerosis patients to receive either evolocumab or placebo.

Pathophysiological roles of cell surface and extracellular protein disulfide isomerase and their molecular mechanisms.

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is the prototypic member of the thiol isomerase family that catalyses disulfide bond rearrangement. Initially identified in the endoplasmic reticulum as folding catalysts, PDI and other members in its family have also been widely reported to reside on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Although how PDI is exported and retained on the cell surface remains a subject of debate, this unique pool of PDI is developing into an important mechanism underlying the redox regulation of protein sulfhydryls that are critical for the cellular activities under various disease conditions.

Reporting the trajectories of adverse events over the entire treatment course in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer treated with platinum-based combination chemotherapy regimens: A graphical approach to trial adverse event reporting.

Background: Clinical trials report adverse events (AEs) in a dense table focusing on the frequency of 'worst grade' AEs experienced over the duration of treatment. There is usually no granular information provided on the timing and trajectory of AEs or whether they are likely to worsen, improve, or remain constant over time.

Patients And Methods: Non-hematologic (NH) AE data was extracted from the CALYPSO trial comparing carboplatin with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (CD) to carboplatin with paclitaxel (CP) in recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC).

Olaparib tablets as maintenance therapy in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer and a BRCA1/2 mutation (SOLO2/ENGOT-Ov21): a final analysis of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: Olaparib, a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, has previously been shown to extend progression-free survival versus placebo when given to patients with relapsed high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian cancer who were platinum sensitive and who had a BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) mutation, as part of the SOLO2/ENGOT-Ov21 trial. The aim of this final analysis is to investigate the effect of olaparib on overall survival.

Methods: This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial was done across 123 medical centres in 16 countries.

Using recurrent time-to-event models with multinomial outcomes to generate toxicity profiles.

Most clinical studies, which investigate the impact of therapy simultaneously, record the frequency of adverse events in order to monitor safety of the intervention. Study reports typically summarise adverse event data by tabulating the frequencies of the worst grade experienced but provide no details of the temporal profiles of specific types of adverse events. Such 'toxicity profiles' are potentially important tools in disease management and in the assessment of newer therapies including targeted treatments and immunotherapy where different types of toxicity may be more common at various times during long-term drug exposure.

Use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer: a scoping review on the benefits and harm of mpMRI in different biopsy scenarios.

Background: There is uncertainty on how multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and MRI-targeted biopsy (MRI-TB) can be best used to manage low-risk prostate cancer patients on Active Surveillance (AS). We performed a scoping review to evaluate the benefits and harm associated with four different biopsy scenarios in which mpMRI can be implemented in AS.

Methods: Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases (1 January 2013-18 September 2020) were searched.

Clinical utility of plasma EGFR mutation detection with quantitative PCR in advanced lung cancer: A meta-analysis.

Objectives: To assess the clinical utility of quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, a routinely used test for detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in treatment-naive advanced lung cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with individual patient data. Eligible RCTs compared EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) and chemotherapy in first line setting for advanced lung cancer, and included tumour EGFR+ (tEGFR+) with paired ctDNA results using real-time (quantitative) PCR.

REZOLVE (ANZGOG-1101): A phase 2 trial of intraperitoneal bevacizumab to treat symptomatic ascites in patients with chemotherapy-resistant, epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of intraperitoneal bevacizumab (IP-bev) in delaying re-accumulation of malignant ascites in women with chemotherapy-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (CR-EOC) who have ceased chemotherapy. Secondary outcomes were safety and quality of life.

Methods: Women with CR-EOC and malignant ascites that reaccumulated within 28 days of their last paracentesis (P-1) were administered IP-bev 5 mg/kg following their first therapeutic paracentesis on study (P0).

Umbilical Cord Management at Term and Late Preterm Birth: A Meta-analysis.

Context: The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation prioritized scientific review of umbilical cord management at term and late preterm birth.

Objective: To assess effects of umbilical cord management strategies (clamping timing and cord milking) in infants ≥34 weeks' gestational age.

Data Sources: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and trial registries searched July 2019.

Outcomes of Deep Mural Injury After Endoscopic Resection: An International Cohort of 3717 Large Non-Pedunculated Colorectal Polyps.

Background & Aims: Although perforation is the most feared adverse event associated with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), limited data exists concerning its management. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of intra-procedural deep mural injury (DMI) in an international multi-center observational cohort of large (≥20 mm) non-pedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs).

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent EMR for a LNPCP ≥20 mm were evaluated.

Setting minimum clinical performance specifications for tests based on disease prevalence and minimum acceptable positive and negative predictive values: Practical considerations applied to COVID-19 testing.

Objectives: Several guidelines for the evaluation of laboratory tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have recommended establishing an a priori definition of minimum clinical performance specifications before test selection and method evaluation.

Methods: Using positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), we constructed a spreadsheet tool for determining the minimum clinical specificity (conditional on NPV or PPV, sensitivity and prevalence) and minimum clinical sensitivity (conditional on NPV or PPV, specificity and prevalence) of tests.

Results: At a prevalence of 1%, there are no minimum sensitivity requirements to achieve a desired NPV of 60%-95% for a given clinical specificity above 20%.

Effect of Evolocumab on Complex Coronary Disease Requiring Revascularization.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the ability of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor evolocumab to reduce the risk of complex coronary atherosclerosis requiring revascularization.

Background: PCSK9 inhibitors induce plaque regression and reduce the risk of coronary revascularization overall.

Methods: FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk) was a randomized trial of the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab versus placebo in 27,564 patients with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease on statin therapy followed for a median of 2.

Efficacy and safety of lowering LDL cholesterol in older patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: The clinical benefit of LDL cholesterol lowering treatment in older patients remains debated. We aimed to summarise the evidence of LDL cholesterol lowering therapies in older patients.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE and Embase for articles published between March 1, 2015, and Aug 14, 2020, without any language restrictions.

Adjuvant Sorafenib for Renal Cell Carcinoma at Intermediate or High Risk of Relapse: Results From the SORCE Randomized Phase III Intergroup Trial.

Purpose: SORCE is an international, randomized, double-blind, three-arm trial of sorafenib after surgical excision of primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) found to be at intermediate or high risk of recurrence.

Patients And Methods: We randomly assigned participants (2:3:3) to 3 years of placebo (arm A), 1 year of sorafenib followed by 2 years of placebo (arm B), or 3 years of sorafenib (arm C). The initial sorafenib dose was 400 mg twice per day orally, amended to 400 mg daily.

Analysis of angiogenic and stromal biomarkers in a large malignant mesothelioma cohort.

Background: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive malignancy of the pleura and other mesothelial membranes. Agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) such as bevacizumab; and multi-kinase inhibitors such as nintedanib [angiokinase inhibitor of VEGF, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)] have recently demonstrated efficacy in MM.

Methods: Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were created from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples obtained from 326 patients with MM who were treated surgically.

Concordance between CA-125 and RECIST progression in patients with germline BRCA-mutated platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer treated in the SOLO2 trial with olaparib as maintenance therapy after response to chemotherapy.

Background: Limited evidence exists to support CA-125 as a valid surrogate biomarker for progression in patients with ovarian cancer on maintenance PARP inhibitor (PARPi) therapy. We aimed to assess the concordance between CA-125 and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) criteria for progression in patients with BRCA mutations on maintenance PARPi or placebo.

Methods: We extracted data on progression as defined by Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup CA-125, investigator- and independent central-assessed RECIST from the SOLO2/ENGOT-ov21(NCT01874353) trial.

Trends and Outcomes in Simultaneous Liver and Kidney Transplantation in Australia and New Zealand.

Aim: Rates of simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation (SLKT) have increased, but indications for SLKT remain poorly defined. Additional data are needed to determine which patients benefit from SLKT to best direct use of scarce donor kidneys.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) database for all SLKT performed until the end of 2017.

Regulation of hepatic insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis by sphingosine kinase 2.

Sphingolipid dysregulation is often associated with insulin resistance, while the enzymes controlling sphingolipid metabolism are emerging as therapeutic targets for improving insulin sensitivity. We report herein that sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2), a key enzyme in sphingolipid catabolism, plays a critical role in the regulation of hepatic insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis both in vitro and in vivo. Hepatocyte-specific knockout mice exhibit pronounced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.

Validation of Progression-Free Survival Rate at 6 Months and Objective Response for Estimating Overall Survival in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months has been proposed as a potential surrogate for overall survival (OS) rate at 12 months for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) trials but requires further assessment for validation.

Objective: To validate 6-month PFS and objective response rate (ORR) as estimators of 12-month OS in the ICI arms of randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Data Sources: Electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for ICI RCTs published between January 2000 and June 2019.