Circulating cytokine associations with clinical outcomes in melanoma patients treated with combination nivolumab plus ipilimumab.

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab (aCTLA-4/aPD-1) combination therapy has significantly improved clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic melanoma, with 50%-60% of patients responding to treatment, but predictors of response are poorly characterized. We hypothesized that circulating cytokines and peripheral white blood cells may predict response to therapy and evaluated 15 cytokines and complete blood counts (CBC with differentials) from 89 patients with advanced melanoma treated with combination therapy from three points in time: pre-treatment, one month and approximately three months after starting therapy. Clinical endpoints evaluated included durable clinical benefit (DCB), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Impact of Intracellular Proteins on μ-Opioid Receptor Structure and Ligand Binding.

Chronic pain is a prevalent problem affecting approximately one out of every five adults in the U.S. The most effective way to treat chronic pain is with opioids, but they cause dangerous side effects such as tolerance, addiction, and respiratory depression, which makes them quite deadly.

Prevalence of participation of Brazilian aged people in Advanced Activities of Daily Living and associated factors.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of participation of aged Brazilians in Advanced Activities of Daily Living and associated factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study developed with secondary data from the National Health Survey. Aged people (60 years old or older) were included.

Optimising aerial herbicide treatment for control of dense conifer infestations: a New Zealand case study.

Background: Conifers, mainly of the genus Pinus, have invaded natural and productive landscapes worldwide. Controlling dense conifer invasions is challenging and requires both effective initial control methods and long-term site management to prevent re-invasion. Broadcast aerial herbicide application is often the preferred treatment method for dense infestations of pines with high rates of complex herbicide mixtures used.

Visual Field Asymmetries in Responses to ON and OFF Pathway Biasing Stimuli.

Recent reports suggest the ON and OFF pathways are differentially susceptible to selective vision loss in glaucoma. Thus, perimetric assessment of ON- and OFF-pathway function may serve as a useful diagnostic. However, this necessitates a developed understanding of normal ON/OFF pathway function around the visual field and as a function of input intensity.

Development of a new Peyronie's disease self-assessment screening app.

Peyronie's disease (PD) is an underdiagnosed and undertreated fibroproliferative disorder associated with the formation of plaques that results in penile curvature and discourages some men from seeking medical consultation. The PD self-assessment app, a digital application (app), was developed to increase PD awareness, provide men with a self-screening and educational tool for PD, and help eliminate barriers to seeking consultation with a physician. Prior to deployment, 4 board-certified urologists provided qualitative reviews on the app's usability and utility as a screening tool.

Does Chronic Kidney Disease Influence Revascularization Strategy After Acute Coronary Syndrome? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) provides superior long-term outcomes to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for complex multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have increased prevalence of multivessel CAD, but also increased surgical risk. We investigated whether CKD predicted real-world use of CABG, versus PCI, in patients revascularized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Identification and odor exposure regulation of odorant-binding proteins in .

The highly developed sensitive olfactory system is essential for Scott (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) adults, an widely distributed natural predatory enemy, to locate host plants. During this process, odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are thought to have significant involvement in the olfactory recognition. However, the roles of OBPs in the olfactory perception of are not frequently reported.

A prognostic model for predicting functional impairment in youth mental health services.

Background: Functional impairment is a major concern among those presenting to youth mental health services and can have a profound impact on long-term outcomes. Early recognition and prevention for those at risk of functional impairment is essential to guide effective youth mental health care. Yet, identifying those at risk is challenging and impacts the appropriate allocation of indicated prevention and early intervention strategies.

Quantifying Similarities Between MediaPipe and a Known Standard to Address Issues in Tracking 2D Upper Limb Trajectories: Proof of Concept Study.

Background: Markerless motion tracking methods have promise for use in a range of domains, including clinical settings where traditional marker-based systems for human pose estimation are not feasible. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems can offer a markerless, lightweight approach to motion capture. However, the accuracy of such systems, such as MediaPipe, for tracking fine upper limb movements involving the hand has not been explored.

Engaging Red River Métis families in Manitoba in the development of child health resources - findings from a qualitative study.

Background: Most research that includes Red River Métis tends to be pan-Indigenous. Grouping Métis with First Nations and Inuit can diminish their unique and diverse experiences, as well as distinctions-based approaches. Taking a step toward addressing this problem, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF; the national government of the Red River Métis) invited researchers within the Canadian network Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids to partner in this research, which focuses on understanding engagement strategies that can help expose Red River Métis parents to child health research opportunities and build trust and transparency amongst research partners and participants.

The limited clinical utility of a routine creatine kinase (CK) on admission to a psychiatric inpatient unit.

Background: Creatine kinase (CK) is an intracellular enzyme expressed most commonly in tissues such as skeletal muscle. CK can be used as an investigation to support the diagnosis of conditions such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a rare idiosyncratic drug reaction - classically to antipsychotic medications - which can be fatal. Routine screening of CK in psychiatric inpatients is a known practice, but its value is uncertain.

Dietitians as innovators: a deductive-inductive qualitative analysis.

Background: Frontline health professionals are well-placed to develop and implement beneficial innovations. Evidence supports the clinical and financial benefits of Registered Dietitian (RD)-led improvement initiatives, but we know little about how RDs perceive of innovation or of themselves as innovators. The objectives of the study were to gain an understanding of: 1) how RDs define innovation; 2) who RDs perceive as innovative; 3) whether RDs feel prepared to innovate, and; 4) to what extent work context impacts RDs' capacity to innovate at work.

Methodological report of a cross-sectional survey of abortion-related knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst health professionals in Britain, strategies adopted and lessons learned: evidence from the SACHA Study.

Background: Most surveys examining health professionals' knowledge, attitudes and practices around abortion have used convenience samples and have targeted doctors. Our goal in the SACHA Study, drawing on evidence-based strategies to maximise response rates, was to achieve a representative sample of a wider range of health professionals, working in general practice, maternity services, pharmacies, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) clinics and specialist abortion services in Britain, to explore the knowledge, attitudes and experience of abortion care and views on future models of delivery.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of midwives, doctors, nurses and pharmacists in England, Scotland and Wales was undertaken between November, 2021 and July, 2022.

Women's perspectives of molecular breast imaging: a qualitative study.

Background: Mammography has poor sensitivity in dense breast tissue. Retrospective studies suggest that Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI), has superior diagnostic accuracy to mammography in women with very dense breast tissue. Women's perspectives of MBI are unknown, but are crucial to understanding the feasibility of, and routes to, adoption into practice.

Association Between Delayed/Forgone Medical Care and Resource Utilization Among Women with Breast Cancer in the United States.

Background: Although high treatment costs of breast cancer care are well documented, the relationship between delayed/forgone (D/F) care and resource utilization among patients with breast cancer is unknown. This study sought to investigate the relationship between D/F care, resource use, and healthcare expenditures among patients with breast cancer.

Methods: Data on adult female patients with breast cancer were obtained from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to assess resource utilization and expenditures in the United States from 2007 to 2017.

The Epilepsy-Aphasia Syndrome gene, Cnksr2, Plays a Critical Role in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Mediating Vocal Communication.

Epilepsy Aphasia Syndrome (EAS) is a spectrum of childhood disorders that exhibit complex co-morbidities that include epilepsy and the emergence of cognitive and language disorders. CNKSR2 is an X-linked gene in which mutations are linked to EAS. We previously demonstrated Cnksr2 knockout (KO) mice model key phenotypes of EAS analogous to those present in clinical patients with mutations in the gene.

Elective outpatient middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma is safe.

Background: Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) is a safe and effective treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH); however, the appropriate level of postoperative care is unknown.

Objective: To evaluate whether elective MMAE for cSDH could be safely performed in an outpatient setting.

Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective study of patients with cSDH who underwent elective MMAE.

Gene Signatures and Oncology Treatment Implications.

Gene expression signatures (GES) are a powerful tool in oncology used for classification, prognostication, and therapeutic response prediction of malignancies. In this article, we review the disease site guidelines by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network that use GES for treatment planning and clinical use. We identified 4 cancer types for which treatment decisions are frequently influenced by GES.

Supporting equitable cervical cancer elimination for Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse communities: A call for intersectoral action.

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease and is related to persistent health equities. Whilst several priority populations face health inequities related to cervical cancer prevention, my co-authors and I bring special attention to those who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD). By reflecting on some of our research and work experiences, we propose four ways that governments and policymakers can enact the community engagement goals of the published and proposed cervical cancer prevention and treatment strategies for CALD communities.

Five Year Outcomes in Low-Risk Patients Undergoing Surgery in the PARTNER 3 Trial.

Background: Surgery remains an important treatment for low-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). We evaluated 5-year outcomes in low-risk patients undergoing isolated surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or SAVR with concomitant procedures within the randomized PARTNER 3 trial.

Methods: In the PARTNER 3 trial, 454 patients underwent surgery for severe, symptomatic, tri-leaflet AS and were followed for 5 years.