Pre-radiation Nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas.

The limited success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the adjuvant setting for glioblastoma highlights the need to explore administering ICIs prior to immunosuppressive radiation. To address the feasibility and safety of this approach, we conducted a phase I study in patients with newly diagnosed Grade 3 and Grade 4 gliomas. Patients received nivolumab 300 mg every 2 weeks and ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Levofloxacin prophylaxis for pediatric leukemia patients: monitoring of outcomes for sustained benefit and consequences.

Levofloxacin prophylaxis reduces bloodstream infections in neutropenic patients with acute myeloid leukemia or relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A retrospective, longitudinal cohort study compares incidence of bacteremia, multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), and (CDI) between time periods of levofloxacin prophylaxis implementation. Benefits were sustained without increasing MDRO or CDI.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Health Markers and Performance Outcomes among Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cardiac rehabilitation on health markers and performance outcomes among diabetic and nondiabetic patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: One hundred and ninety-seven patients with PCI and CABG, who attended phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation, were included in the study. Patient data were separated by cardiac diagnosis, (PCI and CABG), diabetes category (diabetic and nondiabetic), number of sessions attended (12-24 or 25-36), and time (pre- to post-test).

Principles of Analytic Validation of Immunohistochemical Assays: Guideline Update.

Context.—: In 2014, the College of American Pathologists developed an evidence-based guideline to address analytic validation of immunohistochemical assays. Fourteen recommendations were offered.

The Journey to Improve the College of American Pathologists Cancer Biomarker Reporting Protocols.

Context.—: Biomarker reporting has increasingly become a key component of pathology reporting, providing diagnostic, prognostic, and actionable therapeutic data for patient care.

Objective.

Key considerations in navigating ticagrelor's reported effect on heparin-induced thrombocytopenia functional assays in a landscape of limited data.

Purpose: This article discusses key considerations regarding ticagrelor's reported effect on heparin-induced thrombocytopenia functional assays, such as literature gaps and possible management strategies.

Summary: Limited data indicate that ticagrelor may induce false-negative results in functional assays used in the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. False-negative functional assays for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia could have catastrophic consequences.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Infusion for the Treatment of Respiratory Failure From COVID-19: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Dosing Clinical Trial.

Background: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (ExoFlo) convey the immunomodulatory and regenerative properties of intact BM-MSCs. This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of ExoFlo as treatment for moderate to severe ARDS in patients with severe COVID-19.

Research Question: Do two doses of ExoFlo safely reduce mortality in COVID-19-associated moderate to severe ARDS compared with placebo?

Study Design And Methods: A prospective phase 2 multicenter double-anonymized randomized placebo-controlled dosing trial was conducted at five sites across the United States with infusions of placebo, 10 mL of ExoFlo, or 15 mL of ExoFlo on days 1 and 4.

Radiofrequency Ablation Provides Rapid and Durable Pain Relief for the Palliative Treatment of Lytic Bone Metastases Independent of Radiation Therapy: Final Results from the OsteoCool Tumor Ablation Post-Market Study.

Purpose: The OsteoCool Tumor Ablation Post-Market Study (OPuS One) was a prospective, multi-national, single-arm study to investigate safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for palliation of painful lytic bone metastases with 12 months of follow-up. RFA has demonstrated effective palliation of osseous metastases in small clinical studies with short-term follow-up; however, a long-term assessment with robust subject numbers is lacking.

Materials And Methods: Prospective assessments were conducted at Baseline, 3 days, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12-months.

A Practical Guide to Relugolix: Early Experience With Oral Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Background: Relugolix is the newest form of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) approved for prostate cancer. However, as an oral drug, several real-world concerns exist, particularly medication compliance, safety with other androgen receptor-targeted agents, and financial burden to patients.

Methods: A single institution retrospective chart review was conducted evaluating all patients who were prescribed relugolix for any prostate cancer indication from January 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022.

Efficacy and Safety of Pacritinib vs Placebo for Patients With Severe COVID-19: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 remain high despite advances in standard of care therapy, and the role of anti-inflammatory agents that inhibit the interleukin 6/JAK2 pathway is still being elucidated.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the oral JAK2/IRAK1 inhibitor pacritinib vs placebo in the treatment of adults with severe COVID-19.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial enrolled hospitalized adult patients with severe COVID-19 at 21 centers across the US between June 2020 and February 2021, with approximately 1.

Inhaled Sargramostim (Recombinant Human Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor) for COVID-19-Associated Acute Hypoxemia: Results of the Phase 2, Randomized, Open-Label Trial (iLeukPulm).

Introduction: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a protein produced in the lung, is essential for pulmonary host defense and alveolar integrity. Prior studies suggest potential benefits in several pulmonary conditions, including acute respiratory distress syndrome and viral infections. This trial evaluated the effect of the addition of inhaled sargramostim (yeast-derived, glycosylated recombinant human GM-CSF) to standard of care (SOC) on oxygenation and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19-associated acute hypoxemia.

A Proposed Approach for the Management of Clot-in-Transit.

Clot-in-transit (CIT) is defined as a mobile echogenic material in the right atrium or ventricle as observed on ultrasound. A right heart free-floating thrombus is unusual when there is no structural disease of the heart or atrial fibrillation. Cardiopulmonary collapse and quick death can come from CIT, which occurs when a blood clot moves from the heart to the lungs.

The Use of IV Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (Aviptadil) in Patients With Critical COVID-19 Respiratory Failure: Results of a 60-Day Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: Respiratory failure is a lethal complication of COVID-19 that has remained resistant to drug therapy. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is shown in nonclinical studies to upregulate surfactant production, inhibit cytokine synthesis, prevent cytopathy, and block replication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus in pulmonary cells. The study aims to determine whether Aviptadil (synthetic VIP) can improve survival and recovery in patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure compared with placebo and demonstrate biological effects in such patients.

Effects of Safety Zone Implementation on Perceptions of Safety and Well-being When Caring for COVID-19 Patients.

Background: In March 2020, the caseload of patients positive for COVID-19 in hospitals began increasing rapidly, creating fear and anxiety among health care workers and concern about supplies of personal protective equipment.

Objectives: To determine if implementing safety zones improves the perceptions of safety, well-being, workflow, and teamwork among hospital staff caring for patients during a pandemic.

Methods: A safety zone process was implemented to designate levels of contamination risk and appropriate activities for certain areas.

The B56α subunit of PP2A is necessary for mesenchymal stem cell commitment to adipocyte.

Adipose tissue plays a major role in maintaining organismal metabolic equilibrium. Control over the fate decision from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to adipocyte differentiation involves coordinated command of phosphorylation. Protein phosphatase 2A plays an important role in Wnt pathway and adipocyte development, yet how PP2A complexes actively respond to adipocyte differentiation signals and acquire specificity in the face of the promiscuous activity of its catalytic subunit remains unknown.

Modify Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Sepsis Core Measure (SEP-1) Now to Optimize Care for COVID-19.

In the commentary, the authors urge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to remove lactate measurement from the national Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Early Management Bundle (SEP-1) during the COVID-19 crisis.

Effect of a Coordinated Community and Chronic Care Model Team Intervention vs Usual Care on Systolic Blood Pressure in Patients With Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: The SUCCEED Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Few stroke survivors meet recommended cardiovascular goals, particularly among racial/ethnic minority populations, such as Black or Hispanic individuals, or socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

Objective: To determine if a chronic care model-based, community health worker (CHW), advanced practice clinician (APC; including nurse practitioners or physician assistants), and physician team intervention improves risk factor control after stroke in a safety-net setting (ie, health care setting where all individuals receive care, regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This randomized clinical trial included participants recruited from 5 hospitals serving low-income populations in Los Angeles County, California, as part of the Secondary Stroke Prevention by Uniting Community and Chronic Care Model Teams Early to End Disparities (SUCCEED) clinical trial.

Use of the Hypotension Prediction Index During Cardiac Surgery.

Objective: The hypotension prediction index (HPI) is a novel parameter developed by Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, CA) that is obtained through an algorithm based on arterial pressure waveform characteristics. Past studies have demonstrated its accuracy in predicting hypotensive events in noncardiac surgeries. The authors aimed to evaluate the use of the HPI in cardiac surgeries requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).