Disparities in treatment patterns and mortality in prostate cancer: Interaction between Black race and end-stage kidney disease.

Background: Black men and men with end-stage kidney disease have lower rates of treatment and higher mortality for prostate cancer. We studied the interaction of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) with Black race for treatment rates and mortality for men with prostate cancer.

Methods And Results: We included 516 Black and 551 White men with ESKD before prostate cancer 22,299 Black men, and 141,821 White men without ESKD who were 40 years or older from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results-Medicare data (2004-2016).

Multiple plasma membrane reporters discern LHFPL5 region that blocks trafficking to the plasma membrane.

The mechano-electrical transduction (MET) channel of the inner ear receptor cells, termed hair cells, is a protein complex that enables our senses of hearing and balance. Hair cell MET requires an elaborate interplay of multiple proteins that form the MET channel. One of the MET complex components is the transmembrane protein LHFPL5, which is required for hair cell MET and hearing.

Treatment patterns and survival of low and intermediate-risk prostate cancer in end-stage kidney disease: A retrospective population cohort study.

Background: In accordance with guidelines, observation with or without active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer increased in recent years in the general population. We compared treatment patterns and mortality for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer and mortality rates among end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and non-ESKD patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective population-based observational cohort study of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data of men aged 66 years and older with localized prostate cancer (2004-2015).

A Comprehensive Digital Self-care Support System for Older Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions: Development, Feasibility, and Usability Testing of myHESTIA.

The objective of this mixed methods study is to evaluate the need for a comprehensive digital self-care support system (CDSSS) for older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and to examine whether such a system can be developed to enable daily capture of self-care data. The 3-phase study involved Phase-1: user needs assessment and prototype development; Phase-2: preliminary user evaluation of the prototype; and Phase-3: 4-week small group usability and feasibility testing of the tracking component of the prototype. Results of Phase-1 show the need for a CDSSS.

Integrin α3β1 promotes vessel formation of glioblastoma-associated endothelial cells through calcium-mediated macropinocytosis and lysosomal exocytosis.

Therapeutic targeting of angiogenesis in glioblastoma has yielded mixed outcomes. Investigation of tumor-associated angiogenesis has focused on the factors that stimulate the sprouting, migration, and hyperproliferation of the endothelial cells. However, little is known regarding the processes underlying the formation of the tumor-associated vessels.

Multimodal therapy with or without irreversible electroporation for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is used as a locoregional treatment modality for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), but is non-curative and is associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing survival outcomes of multimodal therapy with or without IRE.

Methods: Separate searches were performed for multimodal therapy + IRE and multimodal therapy alone given the lack of comparative literature using PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library in 3/2021.

Healthy myeloid-derived suppressor cells express the surface ectoenzyme Vanin-2 (VNN2).

Study of human monocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor cells Mo-MDSC (CD14 HLA-DR) has been hampered by the lack of positive cell-surface markers. In order to identify positive markers for Mo-MDSC, we performed microarray analysis comparing Mo-MDSC cells from healthy subjects versus CD14 HLA-DR monocytes. We have identified the surface ectoenzyme Vanin-2(VNN2) protein as a novel biomarker highly-enriched in healthy subjects Mo-MDSC.

Using chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy to fight glioblastoma multiforme: past, present and future developments.

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) constitutes one of the deadliest tumors to afflict humans, although it is still considered an orphan disease. Despite testing multiple new and innovative therapies in ongoing clinical trials, the median survival for this type of malignancy is less than two years after initial diagnosis, regardless of therapy. One class of promising new therapies are chimeric antigen receptor T cells or CAR-T which have been shown to be very effective at treating refractory liquid tumors such as B-cell malignancies.

Accuracy of cytopathology evaluation for resected benign and malignant pancreatic disease.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is the preferred method for diagnosing pancreatic masses. While the diagnostic success of EUS-FNA is widely accepted, the actual performance of EUS-FNA is not known. This study sought to define the EUS-FNA accuracy compared with the gold standard, surgically resected specimens.

Detection of Tumor-Specific PTPmu in Gynecological Cancer and Patient Derived Xenografts.

Background: We developed a fluorophore-conjugated peptide agent, SBK4, that detects a tumor-specific proteolyzed form of the cell adhesion molecule, PTPmu, found in the tumor microenvironment. We previously demonstrated its tissue specific distribution in high-grade brain tumors. To extend those studies to other aggressive solid tumor types, we assessed the tissue distribution of PTPmu/SBK4 in a set of matched gynecologic cancer patient derived xenografts (PDXs) and primary patient tumors, as well as a limited cohort of tumors from gynecological cancer patients.

Barriers to Follow-Up Colonoscopy After Positive FIT or Multitarget Stool DNA Testing.

Background: Fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and multi-target stool DNA testing (mt-sDNA) are recommended colorectal cancer screening options but require follow-up with colonoscopy to determine the source of a positive result. We performed a retrospective analysis in an academic health system to determine adherence to colonoscopy in these patients.

Methods: We identified all patients aged 40 years and older with at least 1 primary care visit who had a positive FIT or mt-sDNA between January 2016 and June 2018.

Defining Common Features in High Impact and Highly Cited Journal Articles on Pancreatic Tumors: An Analysis of 1044 Studies Over the Past Decade.

Introduction: Surgical researchers seek to publish their findings in esteemed surgical journals to advance science and their careers. A detailed investigation of study and manuscript attributes in a specific research area, like pancreatic neoplasia, may yield informative insights for researchers looking to maximize research impact.

Objectives: We analyzed publications related to pancreatic surgery primarily focused on pancreatic and periampullary tumors to identify elements associated with acceptance into high impact journals and a high likelihood of future citations.

Assessing the Longitudinal Impact of Physician-Patient Relationship on Functional Health.

Purpose: Access to a usual source of care is associated with improved health outcomes, but research on how the physician-patient relationship affects a patient's health, particularly long-term, is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal effect of changes in the physician-patient relationship on functional health.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS, 2015-2016).

A Liquid Biopsy to Assess Brain Tumor Recurrence: Presence of Circulating Mo-MDSC and CD14+ VNN2+ Myeloid Cells as Biomarkers That Distinguish Brain Metastasis From Radiation Necrosis Following Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Background: Brain metastases (BM) are the most common type of brain tumor malignancy in the US. They are also the most common indication for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). However, the incidence of both local recurrence and radiation necrosis (RN) is increasing as treatments improve.

Margin-Positive Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma during Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Additional Resection Does Not Improve Survival.

Background: The impact of resecting positive margins during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains debated. Additionally, the survival benefit of resecting multiple positive margins is unknown.

Methods: We identified patients with PDA who underwent PD from 2006 to 2015.

Is the Use of Intraoperative Frozen Section During Pancreaticoduodenectomy Justified?

Background: Intraoperative frozen section (IFS) is routinely utilized by many surgeons during pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, its utility has not been rigorously studied.

Methods: Patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2006 and 2015 were identified from institutional data.

Vitamin E sequestration by liver fat in humans.

BACKGROUNDWe hypothesized that obesity-associated hepatosteatosis is a pathophysiological chemical depot for fat-soluble vitamins and altered normal physiology. Using α-tocopherol (vitamin E) as a model vitamin, pharmacokinetics and kinetics principles were used to determine whether excess liver fat sequestered α-tocopherol in women with obesity-associated hepatosteatosis versus healthy controls.METHODSCustom-synthesized deuterated α-tocopherols (d3- and d6-α-tocopherols) were administered to hospitalized healthy women and women with hepatosteatosis under investigational new drug guidelines.

Bevacizumab for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients with synchronous brain metastases.

Bevacizumab is FDA-approved in the treatment of primary brain tumors, but its efficacy in patients with brain metastases could be better-studied. This study examines a population of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with synchronous brain metastases to identify predictors of the decision to use bevacizumab and survival following bevacizumab treatment. Primary cancer registry data were used to determine which NSCLC patients diagnosed in the years 2010 through 2012 had synchronous brain metastases at the time of diagnosis, and Medicare claims used to identify a population of patients treated with bevacizumab.

Validating the New Primary Care Measure in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

Background: The advancement of primary care research requires reliable and validated measures that capture primary care processes embedded within nationally representative datasets.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the validity of a newly developed measure of primary care processes [Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)-PC] with preliminary evidence of moderate to excellent reliability.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of community-dwelling adults with history of office-based provider visit/s using the MEPS (2013-2014).

New Insights to Adenovirus-Directed Innate Immunity in Respiratory Epithelial Cells.

The nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) family of transcription factors is a key component of the host innate immune response to infectious adenoviruses and adenovirus vectors. In this review, we will discuss a regulatory adenoviral protein encoded by early region 3 (E3) called E3-RIDα, which targets NFκB through subversion of novel host cell pathways. E3-RIDα down-regulates an EGF receptor signaling pathway, which overrides NFκB negative feedback control in the nucleus, and is induced by cell stress associated with viral infection and exposure to the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α.

Developing a New Measure of Primary Care Using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

Objective: To develop and assess the reliability of a measure of primary care using items from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a US representative survey of community-dwelling persons.

Methods: On the basis of the domains from the literature on primary care characteristics, we identified relevant items within the 2013-2014 MEPS family of surveys. In a sample of primary survey respondents with at least 1 office-based physician visit in the last 12 months, we conducted exploratory factor analysis, retaining items with a factor loading of 0.

The Evolving Collaborative Relationship between Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs) and Clinical and Translational Science Awardees (CTSAs).

Purpose: Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) and Practice-based Research Networks (PBRNs) have complementary missions. We replicated a 2008 survey of CTSA-PBRN leaders to understand how organizational relationships have evolved.

Methods: We surveyed 60 CTSA community engagement (CE) Directors and 135 PBRN Directors and analyzed data using between and within-group comparisons.

Training scholars in dissemination and implementation research for cancer prevention and control: a mentored approach.

Background: As the field of D&I (dissemination and implementation) science grows to meet the need for more effective and timely applications of research findings in routine practice, the demand for formalized training programs has increased concurrently. The Mentored Training for Dissemination and Implementation Research in Cancer (MT-DIRC) Program aims to build capacity in the cancer control D&I research workforce, especially among early career researchers. This paper outlines the various components of the program and reports results of systematic evaluations to ascertain its effectiveness.

A systematic review of clinic and community intervention to increase fecal testing for colorectal cancer in rural and low-income populations in the United States - How, what and when?

Background: Interventions to improve fecal testing for colorectal cancer (CRC) exist, but are not yet routine practice. We conducted this systematic review to determine how implementation strategies and contextual factors influenced the uptake of interventions to increase Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) and Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT) for CRC in rural and low-income populations in the United States.

Methods: We searched Medline and the Cochrane Library from January 1998 through July 2016, and Scopus and clinicaltrials.