The impact of language discordance on pediatric cancer care outcomes: A systematic review.

Language discordance between clinicians and families in pediatrics has been associated with adverse events and lower quality of care. We aimed to summarize the existing literature evaluating the impact of language discordance among healthcare professionals and families within pediatric oncology by conducting a systematic review. Of 8364 studies, 43 studies met eligibility for inclusion in this review.

Selective mural cell recruitment of pericytes to networks of assembling endothelial cell-lined tubes.

Mural cells are critically important for the development, maturation, and maintenance of the blood vasculature. Pericytes are predominantly observed in capillaries and venules, while vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are found in arterioles, arteries, and veins. In this study, we have investigated functional differences between human pericytes and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) as a model VSMC type.

Intrinsic auricular muscle zone stimulation for Parkinson disease: The EARSTIM-PD Phase II multi-center pilot study results.

Background: Studies have suggested that intrinsic auricular muscle zones (IAMZ) stimulation alleviates motor features of Parkinson disease (PD).

Methods: A randomized, blinded, active sham-controlled pilot trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and dose-response-time curve of Earstim using a 3-treatment, 3-period crossover design in PD patients experiencing OFF time on levodopa. Treatments were: short (20-min) IAMZ stimulation; long (60-min) IAMZ stimulation; and 20-min active sham stimulation of non-muscular areas.

Defining the Functional Influence of Endothelial Cell-Expressed Oncogenic Activating Mutations on Vascular Morphogenesis and Capillary Assembly.

This study sought to define key molecules and signals controlling major steps in vascular morphogenesis, and how these signals regulate pericyte recruitment and pericyte-induced basement membrane deposition. The morphogenic impact of endothelial cell (EC) expression of activating mutants of Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (kRas), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (Mek1), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), Akt serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1), Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) Janus kinase 2 (Jak2), or signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) expression versus controls was evaluated, along with EC signaling events, pharmacologic inhibitor assays, and siRNA suppression experiments. Primary stimulators of EC lumen formation included kRas, Akt1, and Mek1, whereas PIK3CA and Akt1 stimulated a specialized type of cystic lumen formation.

Elucidating the Morphogenic and Signaling Roles of Defined Growth Factors Controlling Human Endothelial Cell Lumen Formation Versus Sprouting Behavior.

Five growth factors [ie, insulin, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), stem cell factor, IL-3, and stromal-derived factor 1α] in combination are necessary for human endothelial cells (ECs) to undergo tube morphogenesis, a process requiring both lumen formation and sprouting behavior. This study investigated why these factors are required by subdividing the factors into 4 separate groups: insulin-only, insulin and FGF-2, no FGF-2 (all factors but without FGF-2), and all factors. The study found that the insulin-only condition failed to support EC morphogenesis or survival, the insulin and FGF-2 condition supported primarily EC lumen formation, and the no FGF-2 condition supported EC sprouting behavior.

Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Vascular Disease: Defining Its Regulators and Pathological Influence.

Because of structural and cellular differences (ie, degrees of matrix abundance and cross-linking, mural cell density, and adventitia), large and medium-sized vessels, in comparison to capillaries, react in a unique manner to stimuli that induce vascular disease. A stereotypical vascular injury response is ECM (extracellular matrix) remodeling that occurs particularly in larger vessels in response to injurious stimuli, such as elevated angiotensin II, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, genetic deficiencies, inflammatory cell infiltration, or exposure to proinflammatory mediators. Even with substantial and prolonged vascular damage, large- and medium-sized arteries, persist, but become modified by (1) changes in vascular wall cellularity; (2) modifications in the differentiation status of endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, or adventitial stem cells (each can become activated); (3) infiltration of the vascular wall by various leukocyte types; (4) increased exposure to critical growth factors and proinflammatory mediators; and (5) marked changes in the vascular ECM, that remodels from a homeostatic, prodifferentiation ECM environment to matrices that instead promote tissue reparative responses.

Improving Quality and Value in Head and Neck Reconstruction.

Multiple advances in surgical techniques, technology, and perioperative patient care have revolutionized head and neck reconstruction over the last 40 years. Concurrent with these advances, health systems, patients, and payers have become increasingly focused on value and quality, owing in part to rapidly increasing health care costs. However, there is no consensus on how to define value and quality in the realm of head and neck reconstruction.

Increased Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Activation Enhances Disruption and Regression of k-RasV12-Expressing Arteriovenous Malformation-Like Vessels.

This study sought to identify potential mechanisms by which k-RasV12-expressing endothelial cell (EC) tubes demonstrate an increased propensity to regress compared with controls. Activated k-Ras mutations play a role in a variety of pathological conditions, including arteriovenous malformations, which are prone to bleed, causing serious hemorrhagic complications. ECs expressing active k-RasV12 demonstrate markedly excessive lumen formation with widened and shortened tubes accompanied by reduced pericyte recruitment and basement membrane deposition, leading to deficient capillary network assembly.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy for borderline resectable pancreas adenocarcinoma: influence of vascular margin status and type of chemotherapy.

Background: The influence of chemotherapy type and vascular margin status after sequential chemotherapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) is unknown.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed on BRPC patients treated with chemotherapy and 5-fraction SBRT from 2009 to 2021. Surgical outcomes and SBRT-related toxicity were reported.

FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine-based Chemotherapy for Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Multi-institutional, Patient-Level, Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

Background: Pancreatic cancer often presents as locally advanced (LAPC) or borderline resectable (BRPC). Neoadjuvant systemic therapy is recommended as initial treatment. It is currently unclear what chemotherapy should be preferred for patients with BRPC or LAPC.

Dietary Considerations for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Are Useful for Treatment of Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis.

Checkpoint molecules are cell surface receptors on immune cells that mitigate excessive immune responses, but they have increased expression levels in cancer to facilitate immune escape. Checkpoint blockade therapies (e.g.

Molecular basis for pericyte-induced capillary tube network assembly and maturation.

Here we address the functional importance and role of pericytes in capillary tube network assembly, an essential process that is required for vascularized tissue development, maintenance, and health. Healthy capillaries may be directly capable of suppressing human disease. Considerable advances have occurred in our understanding of the molecular and signaling requirements controlling EC lumen and tube formation in 3D extracellular matrices.

Vascular surgery integrated resident selection criteria in the pass or fail era.

Objectives: Vascular surgery integrated residency (VSIR) programs are highly competitive; however, criteria for resident selection remain opaque and non-standardized. The already unclear selection criteria will be further impacted by the impending transition of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 from numeric scores to a binary pass/fail outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the historical and anticipated selection criteria of VSIR applicants.

Patient-caregiver dyads in pancreatic cancer: identification of patient and caregiver factors associated with caregiver well-being.

We aimed to examine the psychosocial well-being in the pancreas cancer patient-caregiver dyad, and determine patient and caregiver characteristics that predict caregiver distress. This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Demographics and caregiving characteristics were gathered from patients and caregivers.

Proinflammatory mediators, TNFα, IFNγ, and thrombin, directly induce lymphatic capillary tube regression.

In this work, we sought to investigate the direct effects of proinflammatory mediators on lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) capillaries and whether they might induce regression. Our laboratory has developed novel , serum-free, lymphatic tubulogenesis assay models whereby human LEC tube networks readily form in either three-dimensional collagen or fibrin matrices. These systems were initially conceptualized in the hopes of better understanding the influence of proinflammatory mediators on LEC capillaries.

Extracellular Matrix Regulation of Vascular Morphogenesis, Maturation, and Stabilization.

The extracellular matrix represents a critical regulator of tissue vascularization during embryonic development and postnatal life. In this perspective, we present key information and concepts that focus on how the extracellular matrix controls capillary assembly, maturation, and stabilization, and, in addition, contributes to tissue stability and health. In particular, we present and discuss mechanistic details underlying (1) the role of the extracellular matrix in controlling different steps of vascular morphogenesis, (2) the ability of endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes to coassemble into elongated and narrow capillary EC-lined tubes with associated pericytes and basement membrane matrices, and (3) the identification of specific growth factor combinations ("factors") and peptides as well as coordinated "factor" and extracellular matrix receptor signaling pathways that are required to form stabilized capillary networks.

Rate of Posterior Capsule Rupture in Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery by Residents with Institution of a Wet Laboratory Course.

 To determine if a structured surgical wet laboratory curriculum for ophthalmology residents reduced the rate of posterior capsule rupture (PCR) in phacoemulsification cataract surgery.  James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL.

T17 cells and corticosteroid insensitivity in severe asthma.

Asthma is classically described as having either a type 2 (T2) eosinophilic phenotype or a non-T2 neutrophilic phenotype. T2 asthma usually responds to classical bronchodilation therapy and corticosteroid treatment. Non-T2 neutrophilic asthma is often more severe.

Endothelial k-RasV12 Expression Induces Capillary Deficiency Attributable to Marked Tube Network Expansion Coupled to Reduced Pericytes and Basement Membranes.

Objective: We sought to determine how endothelial cell (EC) expression of the activating k-Ras (kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog) mutation, k-RasV12, affects their ability to form lumens and tubes and interact with pericytes during capillary assembly Approach and Results: Using defined bioassays where human ECs undergo observable tubulogenesis, sprouting behavior, pericyte recruitment to EC-lined tubes, and pericyte-induced EC basement membrane deposition, we assessed the impact of EC k-RasV12 expression on these critical processes that are necessary for proper capillary network formation. This mutation, which is frequently seen in human ECs within brain arteriovenous malformations, was found to markedly accentuate EC lumen formation mechanisms, with strongly accelerated intracellular vacuole formation, vacuole fusion, and lumen expansion and with reduced sprouting behavior, leading to excessively widened tube networks compared with control ECs. These abnormal tubes demonstrate strong reductions in pericyte recruitment and pericyte-induced EC basement membranes compared with controls, with deficiencies in fibronectin, collagen type IV, and perlecan deposition.

Selective and Marked Blockade of Endothelial Sprouting Behavior Using Paclitaxel and Related Pharmacologic Agents.

Whether alterations in the microtubule cytoskeleton affect the ability of endothelial cells (ECs) to sprout and form branching networks of tubes was investigated in this study. Bioassays of human EC tubulogenesis, where both sprouting behavior and lumen formation can be rigorously evaluated, were used to demonstrate that addition of the microtubule-stabilizing drugs, paclitaxel, docetaxel, ixabepilone, and epothilone B, completely interferes with EC tip cells and sprouting behavior, while allowing for EC lumen formation. In bioassays mimicking vasculogenesis using single or aggregated ECs, these drugs induce ring-like lumens from single cells or cyst-like spherical lumens from multicellular aggregates with no evidence of EC sprouting behavior.