Impact of age on genomic alterations and the tumor immune microenvironment in papillary thyroid cancer.

Differentiated thyroid cancer in older adults has been linked to alterations in the mutational landscape and tumor immune cell infiltration that create a tumor-permissive microenvironment. We sought to determine the impact of age on genomic alterations and immune cell composition in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Genomic alterations, immune cell composition, and clinical data were obtained using The Cancer Genome Atlas and computational immunogenomic analyses.

Genetic variation drives cancer cell adaptation to ECM stiffness.

The progression of many solid tumors is accompanied by temporal and spatial changes in the stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Cancer cells adapt to soft and stiff ECM through mechanisms that are not fully understood. It is well known that there is significant genetic heterogeneity from cell to cell in tumors, but how ECM stiffness as a parameter might interact with that genetic variation is not known.

A summer course in cancer for high school students-an update on lessons taught and lessons learned.

Background: Previous graduate students and postdoctoral associates from the University of Florida Health Cancer Center, in partnership with the University of Florida Student Science Training Program, implemented a cooperative learning curriculum, providing high school students with a broad overview of cancer topics over six weeks over the summer. To address discussions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic on student autonomy, we report lessons learned and outcomes of a cancer biology and therapeutic curriculum modified for a collaborative learning environment.

Methods: This pre-post longitudinal observational study conducted in 2023 on a cancer biology and therapeutics course evaluated students' knowledge retention and general awareness and opinions in cancer research.

Psychedelic mushroom-containing chocolate exposures: Case series.

Introduction: The recreational use of psilocybin or psilocin-containing products, a chemical found naturally in certain mushroom species, is on the rise across the United States. Several cases of serious clinical effects related to mushroom-containing products have recently been reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The emergence of these new products and their health consequences are not yet well understood.

Methods for phenotyping adult patients with acute kidney injury: a systematic review.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a multifaceted disease characterized by diverse clinical presentations and mechanisms. Advances in artificial intelligence have propelled the identification of AKI subphenotypes, enhancing our capacity to customize treatments and predict disease trajectories.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature from 2017 to 2022, focusing on studies that utilized machine learning techniques to identify AKI subphenotypes in adult patients.

Impella 5.5: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature.

Objective: Impella 5.5 (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) is a temporary mechanical circulatory support device used for patients in cardiogenic shock. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the device's clinical effectiveness, safety profile, patient outcomes, and relevant procedural considerations.

Iron and cancer: overview of the evidence from population-based studies.

Iron is an essential nutrient required for various physiological processes in the body. However, iron imbalance can potentially contribute to initiating and promoting cancer development. Epidemiological studies have investigated the relationship between dietary iron intake and the risk of different types of cancer, yet, not all studies have consistently shown a significant association between dietary iron and cancer risk.

Evaluating the SEND eHealth Application to Improve Patients' Secure Message Writing.

Secure messaging (SM) is an important aspect of communication for patients with cancer. SM fosters patient-clinician communication and helps patients with symptom management and treatment support. However, patients are uncertain about how to phrase messages appropriately and have expressed the need for guidance.

Management of Index Finger Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthritis.

Metacarpophalangeal joint arthritis of the index finger is a debilitating disease often caused by osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritides such as rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment options include nonsurgical management with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, splinting, occupational therapy, corticosteroid injections, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Operative management options include arthrodesis and arthroplasty, which can be further broken down into silicone implants and 2 component resurfacing implants.

Prognostic Nomogram Predicting Survival and Propensity Score Matching with Demographics and Comparative Analysis of Prostate Small Cell and Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma.

: This retrospective study aims to examine the patient demographics, survival rates, and treatment methods for small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of prostate origin while also identifying the main differences between common types of prostate cancer with comparative analysis for survival. : Our analysis utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (SEER), and data was collected from 2000-2020. Cox proportional hazards and chi-squared analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Household Income Is Associated with Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain among Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study Using NHIS Data.

Pain is a prevalent issue among cancer patients, yet its link with socioeconomic status has not been thoroughly examined. This study investigated chronic pain (lasting ≥3 months) and high-impact pain (chronic pain limiting activities) among cancer survivors based on household income relative to the federal poverty level (FPL), using data from the National Health Interview Survey (2019-2020). Of the 4585 participants with a history of solid cancers, 1649 (36.

Comparison of microbial growth on primed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuits in varying environments using different priming solutions.

Background: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support device for patients with severe heart and/or lung failure. Emergency situations require immediate ECMO response. Primed circuits have become a routine practice, as it may take 30-60 min to assemble and prime.

Colorectal Leiomyosarcoma: Demographics Patterns, Treatment Characteristics, and Survival Analysis in the U.S. Population.

Background: Colorectal leiomyosarcoma (CR-LMS) is a rare neoplasm arising from smooth muscle cells. It accounts for less than 0.1% of all colorectal malignancies.

RNA Shielding of p65 Is Required to Potentiate Oncogenic Inflammation in TET2-Mutated Clonal Hematopoiesis.

This work identifies MALAT1 as a requisite downstream effector of oncogenic feedforward inflammatory circuits necessary for the development of TET2-mutated CH and fulminant myeloid malignancy. We elucidate a novel mechanism by which MALAT1 "shields" p65 from dephosphorylation to potentiate this circuit and nominate MALAT1 inhibition as a future therapeutic strategy.

Investigation of linear energy transfer (LET)-dependence behavior and dosimetric response of a flat-panel detector in pencil beam scanning proton therapy.

Purpose: This study aims to elucidate the dependence of the flat-panel detector's response on the linear energy transfer (LET) and evaluate the practical viability of employing flat-panel detectors in proton dosimetry applications through LET-dependent correction factors.

Methods: The study assessed the flat-panel detector's response across varying depths using solid water and distinct 100, 150, and 200 MeV proton beams by comparing the flat-panel readings against reference doses measured with an ionization chamber. A Monte Carlo code was used to derive LET values, and an LET-dependent response correction factor was determined based on the ratio of the uncorrected flat-panel dose to the ionization chamber dose.

Empathic communication skills training to reduce lung cancer stigma: Study protocol of a cluster randomized control trial.

Background: Prior research demonstrates that nearly all (95 %) people with lung cancer (PwLC) report stigma, and approximately half (48 %) PwLC experience stigma during clinical encounters with oncology care providers (OCPs). When stigma is experienced in a medical context, it can have undesirable consequences including patients' delaying and underreporting of symptoms, misreporting of smoking behavior, and avoiding help-seeking such as psychosocial support and cessation counseling. Multi-level interventions are needed to prevent and mitigate lung cancer stigma.

Predictors of Specialty Outpatient Palliative Care Utilization Among Persons With Serious Illness.

Context: Outpatient Palliative Care (OPC) benefits persons living with serious illness, yet barriers exist in utilization.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with OPC clinic utilization.

Methods: Emergency Medicine Palliative Care Access is a multicenter, randomized control trial comparing two models of palliative care for patients recruited from the Emergency Department (ED): nurse-led telephonic case management and OPC (one visit a month for six months).

Community-engaged artificial intelligence research: A scoping review.

The degree to which artificial intelligence healthcare research is informed by data and stakeholders from community settings has not been previously described. As communities are the principal location of healthcare delivery, engaging them could represent an important opportunity to improve scientific quality. This scoping review systematically maps what is known and unknown about community-engaged artificial intelligence research and identifies opportunities to optimize the generalizability of these applications through involvement of community stakeholders and data throughout model development, validation, and implementation.

Heparin-Bead Extraction Enhanced Fluorogenic Aptamer-Thrombin Composite Reporter Enables Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Functional Antithrombin.

Antithrombin (AT) deficiency in the extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery leads to uncontrolled inflammation and vascular damage in patients. AT levels decrease in sepsis, major trauma, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and eclampsia. Monitoring plasma AT levels facilitates the accurate restoration of AT to baseline values through precise supplementation.

Impact of breast cancer on in-hospital mortality and health care utilization in female heart failure patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Heart failure (HF) and breast cancer are major health concerns with overlapping risk factors. This study investigated the impact of breast cancer on in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and health care charges in patients with HF.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the National Inpatient Sample, focusing on female patients diagnosed with both breast cancer and HF.