1,217 results match your criteria: "UMass-Memorial Medical Center[Affiliation]"

Gut mycobiota dysbiosis in drug-naïve, first-episode schizophrenia.

Schizophr Res

December 2022

Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan International Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Psychiatric Transformation Research Key Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. Electronic address:

Bacterial dysbiosis has been demonstrated in patients with schizophrenia (SCH). The aim of the present study was to investigate alterations in mycobiota composition and fungi-bacteria correlation network in drug-naïve, first episode SCH. We recruited 205 SCH patients and 125 healthy controls (HCs), whose gut bacterial and fungal compositions were characterized by 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing, respectively.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Analysis revealed 2,171 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 117 pathways linked to UI, along with 730 DEGs and 33 pathways related to uRPL, indicating distinct genetic signatures for each condition.
  • * The results suggest a strong overlap in gene expression pathways between UI and uRPL, implying that uRPL might be a subset of UI, but also highlight unique genetic markers that could lead to specific diagnostic tools for uRPL.
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Management of Gynecomastia and Male Benign Diseases.

Surg Clin North Am

December 2022

Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, 800Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA. Electronic address:

Gynecomastia is a common benign breast disease involving abnormally increased mammary gland tissue that can affect men of all ages. It is usually due to a hormonal imbalance without a definitive underlying cause (idiopathic), or secondary to medications/drugs, systemic disorders, or malignancy. Gynecomastia is often self-limiting, and its management is watchful waiting.

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Background: Metformin slows tumor growth and progression in vitro, and in combination with chemoradiotherapy, resulted in high overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in our phase 1 clinical trial (NCT02325401). Metformin is also postulated to activate an antitumor immune response. Here, we investigate immunologic effects of metformin on natural killer (NK) and natural killer T cells, including results from two phase I open-label studies in patients with HNSCC treated with metformin (NCT02325401, NCT02083692).

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Suboptimal endometrial receptivity and altered embryo-endometrial crosstalk account for approximately two-thirds of human implantation failures. Current tests of the window of implantation, such as endometrial thickness measurements and the endometrial receptivity assay, do not consistently improve clinical outcomes as measured by live birth rates. Understanding the mechanisms regulating the endometrial receptivity during the window of implantation is a critical step toward developing clinically meaningful tests.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs in Radiology: Data-Driven Strategies for Success, From the Special Series on DEI.

AJR Am J Roentgenol

June 2023

Department of Radiology, Division of Breast Imaging, UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Memorial Medical Center, 55 Lake Ave N, Worcester, MA 01655.

Radiology practices nationwide have implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs seeking to change the landscape of a field traditionally dominated by White men. However, measuring these programs' success is often challenging, and a lack of documented success may threaten such programs' ongoing growth. This article explores the application of metrics and overall concepts from the business world to assess the success of DEI programs in radiology practices.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how the oropharyngeal microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms in the upper respiratory tract, affects the severity of COVID-19 in patients presenting with acute symptoms.
  • Among 115 patients tested for COVID-19, 50 had confirmed positive results; of these, 76% required supplemental oxygen support.
  • Machine learning methods revealed that certain low-abundance microorganisms and metabolic pathways in the microbiome can predict the need for respiratory support in COVID-19 patients.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate evidence and create recommendations for common heart and lung uses of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS), reviewing 10 clinical questions in these areas.
  • The expert review group (38 international experts) assessed the evidence, requiring over 75% agreement on findings, with a consensus reached for varying levels of evidence and recommendations for each question.
  • The conclusion emphasized that these consensus recommendations can improve clinical practice and point to areas needing further research in the use of PoCUS in acute medical settings.
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Objective:  To evaluate the evidence and produce a summary and recommendations for the most common heart and lung point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS).

Methods:  We reviewed 10 clinical domains/questions related to common heart and lung applications of PoCUS. Following review of the evidence, a summary and recommendations were produced, including assigning levels of evidence (LoE) and grading of recommendation, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE).

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Objectives: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Janus kinase (JAK)1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring mechanical ventilation.

Design: Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Ruxolitinib in Participants With COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Who Require Mechanical Ventilation (RUXCOVID-DEVENT; NCT04377620).

Setting: Hospitals and community-based private or group practices in the United States (29 sites) and Russia (4 sites).

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The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated a rapid shift towards telemedicine, which has had tremendous repercussions on all domains of the healthcare ecosystem. The effects of the transition to telemedicine on post-graduate medical education and on patient care provided by trainees have not been fully elucidated. Focusing on the multifaceted scope of endocrinology teaching clinics, the experience garnered by endocrinology fellows, preceptors, and patients through the adoption of virtual visits has shed new light on relevant challenges that require specific attention.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study explored how the multibiomarker disease activity (MBDA) score can assess the similarity of biosimilars, comparing them to their reference products in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Two randomized controlled trials were conducted, with patients receiving either biosimilar infliximab (IFX-qbtx) or adalimumab (ADL-afzb) versus their EU-sourced counterparts, measuring their MBDA scores at various points during treatment.
  • Results showed that the MBDA scores were very similar between the biosimilars and their corresponding reference products, suggesting that MBDA scores can objectively indicate biosimilarity compared to traditional assessment methods.
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We identify the sodium leak channel non-selective protein (NALCN) as a key regulator of cancer metastasis and nonmalignant cell dissemination. Among 10,022 human cancers, NALCN loss-of-function mutations were enriched in gastric and colorectal cancers. Deletion of Nalcn from gastric, intestinal or pancreatic adenocarcinomas in mice did not alter tumor incidence, but markedly increased the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and metastases.

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COVID-19 and the Transformation of Intensive Care Unit Telemedicine.

Clin Chest Med

September 2022

Medicine, Surgery, and Anesthesiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. Electronic address:

The concept of telecritical care has evolved over several decades. ICU Telemedicine providers using both the hub-and-spoke ICU telemedicine center and consultative service delivery models offered their services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine center responses were more efficient, timely, and widely used than those of the consultative model.

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Performance of Advanced Practice Providers compared with that of Physicians in Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration of Thyroid Nodules and Superficial Neck Masses.

J Vasc Interv Radiol

December 2022

Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts. Electronic address:

Advanced practice providers (APPs) perform ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) procedures for superficial neck lesions after appropriate training in some interventional radiology practices. This allows physicians additional time to be involved in more complex procedures. This report compared the performance between physicians and APPs.

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Liquid-based rapid onsite evaluation of endobronchial ultrasound cytologies.

J Am Soc Cytopathol

October 2022

Department of Pathology, UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • Rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) can be done using traditional smears or a new method using liquid-based cytology (ThinPrep), which simplifies the process and reduces the number of people needed.
  • The study compared the adequacy and diagnosis of both methods, showing that liquid-based ROSE was accurate in 65.2% of cases and took significantly less time (around 13 minutes) compared to smear-based ROSE.
  • The findings suggest that liquid-based ROSE offers better slide preservation, a more accurate assessment of specimen material, and potential for improved telecytology use.
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Background: Patients with serious illness look to their clinicians for discussion and guidance on high-stakes treatment decisions, which are complex, emotional and value-laden. However, required training in serious illness communication is rare in U.S.

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Background: The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic necessitates the development of accurate, rapid, and affordable diagnostics to help curb disease transmission, morbidity, and mortality. Rapid antigen tests are important tools for scaling up testing for SARS-CoV-2; however, little is known about individuals' use of rapid antigen tests at home and how to facilitate the user experience.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the feasibility and acceptability of serial self-testing with rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2, including need for assistance and the reliability of self-interpretation.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates whether a single midline incision or dual medial/lateral incisions for dual plating of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures leads to different rates of deep infection and need for reoperation.
  • The researchers analyzed data from 346 patients treated at two Level-1 trauma centers between 2001 and 2018, focusing on those with AO/OTA 41-C BTP fractures.
  • Results showed no significant difference in infection or reoperation rates between the single incision and dual incision groups, but single plating via a single incision had lower complication rates compared to dual plating.
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Patterns of structural variation define prostate cancer across disease states.

JCI Insight

September 2022

Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Article Synopsis
  • The study explores how prostate cancer evolves genetically due to treatments aimed at blocking androgen receptor (AR) signaling, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of structural changes in the cancer genome.
  • Researchers analyzed 674 prostate cancer samples (531 localized and 143 metastatic) through whole genome and transcriptome sequencing to identify significant genetic alterations and structural variations.
  • They found unique genetic patterns in different stages of the disease, distinguishing 9 subclasses of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) which relate to specific genetic traits and clinical outcomes, offering insights for potential targeted therapies.
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