"Developing a manual clinical trials screening process in a diverse southern gynecologic oncology practice".

Objective: There is no standard clinical trial screening process in gynecologic oncology. In our low resource, highly diverse gynecologic oncology patient population, we sought to create an equitable, adaptable, manual screening process.

Methods: Our objective is to describe our clinical trial screening process and success in improving trial enrollment.

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Management of Cancer Pain: a Meta Analysis.

Purpose Of Review: The present investigation assesses efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on relief of cancer or chemotherapy-related pain. Patients with cancer experience a relatively high prevalence of pain that is reportedly undertreated. Therefore, this analysis is pertinent to determine if TENS is a useful complementary therapy considering its increase in accessibility and minimal side effect profile.

Efficacy, Indications, and Safety of Intrathecal Baclofen Pump: A Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: Baclofen, a muscle relaxant that reduces the release of excitatory neurotransmitters in the pre-synaptic neurons stimulating inhibitory neuronal signals in post-synaptic neurons, has been around for over 5 decades. Baclofen is used primarily for spasticity and since 1982, has had a role as an intrathecal agent. In the present investigation, we review research trends and updates on safety and efficacy of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pumps.

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent and debilitating condition affecting millions worldwide. Among emerging interventions, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has gained attention as a potential alternative for managing chronic LBP, particularly when alternative approaches fail to provide adequate relief.

Recent Findings: This systematic review focuses on both residual pain levels and ability to perform daily tasks after treatment with SCS.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Prevention and Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia: A Narrative Review.

The present investigation evaluated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the non-pharmacological treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is the most common complication of the Herpes Zoster virus, affecting one in every five patients with shingles, and presents as intense neuropathic pain that can persist for 90 days or longer after the initial onset of symptoms. Current pharmacological treatment options are mainly limited to symptom management, including oral medications such as tricyclic antidepressants and gabapentinoid preparations, as well as topical options such as lidocaine or capsaicin.

From Surviving to Thriving: Key Considerations for Weight Control Across Diverse Cancer Survivorship Populations.

Background: Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease of excess adiposity that increases the risk of dying from at least 16 types of cancer. The prevalence of obesity has increased more rapidly in cancer survivors compared with the general population. Tailored weight management strategies are needed to improve prognosis and health outcomes in the growing population of cancer survivors.

Trends in Phototherapy Utilization, Payments, and Geographic Distribution: An Analysis of United States Medicare Part B From 2000 to 2021.

Background: Trends in phototherapy utilization in the context of new therapeutics have not been evaluated.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate phototherapy utilization, payments, and geographic distribution for Medicare beneficiaries from 2000 to 2021.

Patients/methods: A longitudinal analysis of the Medicare Part B National Summary Data Files was conducted to obtain phototherapy utilization and payment amounts.

Dietary quality and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in colon cancer.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and dose-limiting chemotoxicity caused by oxaliplatin. This study investigated the relationship between dietary quality and the development of moderate and/or severe CIPN in colon cancer survivors using data from the Focus on Reducing Dose-Limiting Toxicities in Colon Cancer with Resistance Exercise trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03291951).

Inflammation, physical activity, and disease-free survival in stage III colon cancer: Cancer and Leukemia Group B-Southwest Oncology Group 80702 (Alliance).

Background: Inflammation and insufficient physical inactivity contribute to individual-level risk of disease recurrence and death in stage III colon cancer. The extent to which increased inflammatory risk can be offset by sufficient physical activity remains unknown.

Methods: This cohort study was nested within the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (now part of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology) and Southwest Oncology Group randomized trial.

A Systematic Review on Conditions Before and After Training of Teamwork Competencies and the Effect on Transfer of Skills to the Clinical Workplace.

We conducted a systematic review to assess if any condition before- or after simulation-based training of teamwork competencies for healthcare professionals affects learning or transfer of skills to the clinical environment.We searched CINAHL, Medline, and Embase for studies published between January 1, 2011, and July 10, 2023. We screened 13,149 abstracts and 335 full texts, of which 5 studies were included.

The Evolving Use of Gold Nanoparticles as a Possible Reversal Agent for the Symptoms of Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Narrative Review.

Neurodegenerative diseases are broadly hallmarked by impaired energy metabolism and toxic intracellular accumulations such as damaged organelles or reactive oxygen species (ROS). Gold nanoparticles readily cross the blood-brain barrier and increase nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide + hydrogen (NADH) oxidation to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), which is vital for intracellular energy generation, cellular repair, and protection from ROS. Thus, the use of gold nanoparticles to treat and potentially reverse cellular injury seen in neurodegenerative disease has been an area of ongoing research.

Emerging Treatments and Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review.

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased over the last decade. In this regard, many emerging therapies have been described as ASD therapies. Although ASD does not have a cure, there are several management options available that can help reduce symptom severity.

In vitro comparison of zinc-based, chlorhexidine, and essential oil mouth rinses.

Background: Chlorhexidine (CHX)-based mouth rinses are frequently prescribed following periodontal surgeries. A more recently available brand of zinc-based mouth rinses advertises one of its mouth rinses as a substitute for chlorhexidine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the effects of this brand of zinc-based mouth rinses on cell survival, cell motility, and gene expression of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

Diabetic Neuropathy: A Guide to Pain Management.

Purpose Of Review: Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and can affect up to 50% of DM patients during their lifetime. Patients typically present with numbness, tingling, pain, and loss of sensation in the extremities. Since there is no treatment targeting the underlying mechanism of neuropathy, strategies focus on preventative care and pain management.

Frontiers in Acute Pain Management: Emerging Concepts in Pain Pathways and the Role of VX-548 as a Novel NaV1.8 Inhibitor: A Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: Despite ongoing research into alternative postsurgical pain treatments, opioids remain widely used analgesics regardless of associated adverse effects, including dependence and overdose, as demonstrated throughout the current opioid crisis. This is likely related to a failure in proving the efficacy of alternative analgesics in clinical trials, despite strong evidence supporting the potential for effective analgesia through in vitro studies. While NaV1.

Multidisciplinary approach to diagnostic radiology education: a novel educational intervention for Turkish medical students.

Teleconferencing can facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to teaching radiology to medical students. This study aimed to determine whether an online learning approach enables students to appreciate the interrelated roles of radiology and other specialties during the management of different medical cases. Turkish medical students attended five 60-90-minute online lectures delivered by radiologists and other specialists from the United States and Canada through Zoom meetings between November 2020 and January 2021.

Effects of exercise or metformin on myokine concentrations in patients with breast and colorectal cancer: A phase II multi-centre factorial randomized trial.

Background: Physical activity and metformin pharmacotherapy are associated with improved clinical outcomes in breast and colorectal cancer survivors. Myokines are cytokines secreted from skeletal muscle that may mediate these associations.

Methods: This hypothesis-generating analysis used biospecimens collected from a multi-centre 2 × 2 factorial randomized design of 116 patients with stage I-III breast and colorectal cancer who were randomized to 12 weeks of (1) aerobic exercise (moderate intensity titrated to 220 min/week); (2) metformin (850 mg daily for 2 weeks and then titrated to 850 mg twice per day); (3) aerobic exercise and metformin; or (4) control.

Postoperative chemotherapy relative dose intensity and overall survival in patients with colon cancer.

Purpose: Quantifying the association of chemotherapy relative dose intensity (RDI) with overall survival may enable supportive care interventions that improve chemotherapy RDI to estimate their magnitude of potential clinical benefit.

Methods: This cohort study included 533 patients with stage II-III colon cancer who initiated a planned regimen of 12 cycles of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) chemotherapy. The primary exposure was chemotherapy RDI.

Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Usage Following Bullet Embolism to the Pulmonary Artery.

Pulmonary artery embolus is a rare complication following gunshot wounds that creates a unique and serious challenge for trauma surgeons. While the majority of bullets that embolize through the vascular system end in the peripheral circulation, approximately one-third enter the central venous circulation. We present the case of a bullet embolus to the left pulmonary artery following gunshot wounds to the right chest and the abdomen, with the abdominal ballistic traversing the liver before entering the vena cava and embolizing.

Comparison of in-person versus virtual ultrasound instruction for pediatric residents.

Purpose: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) instruction is prevalent in medical schools but not in pediatric residency programs, even though the majority of pediatric residents desire POCUS instruction. Virtual ultrasound instruction with affordable handheld ultrasound devices may help remedy this deficiency by allowing qualified instructors to circumvent geographic and financial limitations to reach this population. This study sought to determine if virtual ultrasound instruction is an effective alternative to traditional in-person instruction in a cohort of pediatric residents for the extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (eFAST) exam.