impact

Impact of Collaborative Leadership in Dental School Team Clinics

Dental students’ ability to critique team performance in dental school team clinics is a key component of dental education. The aim of this study was to determine if students’ perceptions of their team leaders’ openness of communication, cooperative decision making, and well-defined goals were positively related to the students’ improvement-oriented voice behavior and willingness to raise concerns in the clinical environment. This study used a voluntary 12-question survey, distributed via email to all 311 students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine after completion of the spring 2017 semester. Eighty-seven students responded, for a response rate of 28%. Responses were stratified by team, class year, and gender, and the quantitative distribution of answers to each question was correlated with each other. Team leader collaborative qualities, which included openness for communication, cooperative decision making, and well-defined goals, were found to have a significant positive relationship with students’ willingness to both raise concerns and make suggestions. Additionally, when measured by class year and gender, team differences in voice behavior assessment by students across the teams were found to be independent of class year, and no significant differences were found by gender. These results suggested that, to maintain high levels of communication, proper reporting of concerns, and a high standard of care, dental schools should encourage team leaders to enhance their capacity to present active collaborative behaviors in the school’s clinic. The study also highlighted potential opportunities for further study of faculty traits and development in the dental school team model.




impact

Moving Upstream to Impact Health: Building a Physician Workforce that Understands Social Determinants

Decades of rallying cries from professional societies, medical education and training programs, and government stakeholders have distilled the conversation of social determinants of health (SDOH) from theoretical proposals into practical solutions [1-3]. No longer standing on the precipice of change, we are now in the trenches. The nation's health care system recognizes SDOH as important drivers of health and is taking steps to address them in the practice environment.

More widespread action and attention by the health care system drives the need to train the next generation of physicians in the concepts and actions related to SDOH. This includes SDOH as a core part of the medical curriculum, offering clinical and research experiences and service in the community [4-5]. Unfortunately, to date only a handful of programs have brought this vision to fruition. Across the country, most programs offer educational content that is largely didactic and provided in short or one-time sessions [6]. Though a start, such approaches are insufficient to prepare the next generation of physicians for their important work ahead.

In New Orleans, the NOLA Hotspotters are an interdisciplinary group of medical, public health, nursing, and pharmacy students inspired by the work out of Camden, New Jersey, to "hot spot" patients with high utilization, which is often related to social needs [7]. While the results of the Camden program have been widely discussed following publication of their work, we argue the benefit of such a program exists beyond reduced emergency department visits or health care spending [8]. The...




impact

Gathering Trauma Narratives: A Qualitative Study on the Impact of Self-Identified Traumas on People Living with HIV (PLWH)

BACKGROUND Trauma—emotional, physical, and psychological—is common and associated with increased risk behaviors, low rates of care engagement and viral suppression, and overall poor health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH). This article presents the results of 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with PLWH in the Southeastern United States in which participants identified a trauma and described its long-lasting impact on their lives. Participants' trauma narratives described a wide range of traumas, including childhood sexual abuse, the loss of a loved one, and their HIV diagnosis.

METHODS Systematic qualitative analysis was used to delineate beliefs about causes, symptoms, treatments, quality of life, and health implications of trauma.

RESULTS: Fifteen participants completed semi-structured interviews that lasted on average 32 minutes. Participants described a wide spectrum of personal trauma that occurred both prior and subsequent to their HIV diagnosis. The types of trauma identified included physical, sexual, and psychological abuse inflicted by intimate partners, family members, and/or strangers.

LIMITATIONS A chief limitation of this study is selection bias. Additionally, the participant selection and content of the trauma narratives might have been affected by the surrounding context of the parent study centered on HIV, aging, and psychosocial stress. It is also difficult to interpret the distinction between discrete trauma experiences and the diagnosis of HIV, leading to potential information bias.

CONCLUSION This study highlights the importance of social support in coping with trauma and the effect of trauma on health-related behaviors. It also illustrates the need for additional research on the topic of trauma and trauma-informed care for PLWH. Understanding how different types of trauma affect individuals' lives is necessary to inform recommendations to provide better care for PLWH.




impact

Phosphomimetic T335D Mutation of Hydroxypyruvate Reductase 1 Modifies Cofactor Specificity and Impacts Arabidopsis Growth in Air

Photorespiration is an essential process in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms triggered by the oxygenase activity of Rubisco. In peroxisomes, photorespiratory HYDROXYPYRUVATE REDUCTASE1 (HPR1) catalyzes the conversion of hydroxypyruvate to glycerate together with the oxidation of a pyridine nucleotide cofactor. HPR1 regulation remains poorly understood; however, HPR1 phosphorylation at T335 has been reported. By comparing the kinetic properties of phosphomimetic (T335D), nonphosphorylatable (T335A), and wild-type recombinant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) HPR1, it was found that HPR1-T335D exhibits reduced NADH-dependent hydroxypyruvate reductase activity while showing improved NADPH-dependent activity. Complementation of the Arabidopsis hpr1-1 mutant by either wild-type HPR1 or HPR1-T335A fully complemented the photorespiratory growth phenotype of hpr1-1 in ambient air, whereas HPR1-T335D-containing hpr1-1 plants remained smaller and had lower photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rates. Metabolite analyses indicated that these phenotypes were associated with subtle perturbations in the photorespiratory cycle of HPR1-T335D-complemented hpr1-1 rosettes compared to all other HPR1-containing lines. Therefore, T335 phosphorylation may play a role in the regulation of HPR1 activity in planta, although it was not required for growth under ambient air controlled conditions. Furthermore, improved NADP-dependent HPR1 activities in peroxisomes could not compensate for the reduced NADH-dependent HPR1 activity.




impact

Impact of temperature on bite force and bite endurance in the Leopard Iguana (Diplolaemus leopardinus) in the Andes Mountains [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Nadia Vicenzi, Alejandro Laspiur, Paola L. Sassi, Ruben Massarelli, John Krenz, and Nora R. Ibargüengoytia

In ectotherms, temperature exerts a strong influence on the performance of physiological and ecological traits. One approach to understand the impact of rising temperatures on animals and their ability to cope with climate change is to quantify variation in thermal-sensitive traits. Here, we examined the thermal biology, the temperature dependence and the thermal plasticity of bite force (endurance and magnitude) in Diplolaemus leopardinus, an aggressive and territorial lizard, endemic to Mendoza province, Argentina. Our results indicated that this lizard behaves like a moderate thermoregulator which uses the rocks of its environment as the main heat source. Bite endurance was not influenced by head morphometry and body temperature, whereas bite force was influenced by head length and jaw length, and exhibited thermal dependence. Before thermal acclimation treatments, the maximum bite force for D. leopardinus occured at the lowest body temperature and fell sharply with increasing body temperature. After acclimation treatments, lizards acclimated at higher temperatures exhibited greater bite force. Bite force showed phenotypic plasticity, which reveals that leopard iguanas are able to maintain (and even improve) their bite force under a rising-temperature scenario.




impact

Prediction of tunnelling impact on flow rates of adjacent extraction water wells

The decline or drying up of groundwater sources near a tunnel route is damaging to groundwater users. Therefore, forecasting the impact of a tunnel on nearby groundwater sources is a challenging task in tunnel design. In this study, numerical and analytical approaches were applied to the Qomroud water conveyance tunnel (located in Lorestan province, Iran) to assess the impact of tunnelling on the nearby extraction water wells. Using simulation of groundwater-level fluctuation owing to tunnelling, the drawdown at the well locations was determined. From the drawdowns and using Dupuit's equation, the depletion of well flow rates after tunnelling was estimated. To evaluate the results, observed well flow rates before and after tunnelling were compared with the predicted flow rates. The observed and estimated water well flows (before and after tunnelling) showed a regression factor of 0.64, pointing to satisfactory results




impact

Coseismic and monsoon-triggered landslide impacts on remote trekking infrastructure, Langtang Valley, Nepal

In 2015, the Mw 7.8 Gorkha earthquake struck Nepal, triggering thousands of landslides across the central and eastern Himalayas. These landslides had many adverse effects, including causing widespread damage to low-grade transport routes (e.g. tracks, footpaths) in rural regions that depend on tourism for survival. Langtang Valley is a glacial–periglacial landscape located 60 km north of Kathmandu. It is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal and has been severely affected by Gorkha earthquake-triggered and monsoon-triggered landsliding. Here, qualitative and quantitative observations from fieldwork and remote sensing are used to describe the materials and geomorphology of the landslides across Langtang Valley, and to quantify the extent to which coseismic and monsoon-triggered landslides have affected Langtang's trekking infrastructure. The dominant bedrock materials involved within Langtang landslides are found to be a range of gneisses and intruded leucogranites. In total, 64 landslides are found to have intersected trekking paths across Langtang, with coseismic and monsoon-triggered landslides having an impact on c. 3 km and 0.8 km of path respectively. It is observed that the practice of reconstructing paths through unstable landslide deposits is leaving the trekking infrastructure across Langtang increasingly vulnerable to future failure.




impact

Impact of Changes in Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Location and Ownership on the Practice of Infectious Diseases [Epidemiology]

The number of onsite clinical microbiology laboratories in hospitals is decreasing, likely related to the business model for laboratory consolidation and labor shortages, and this impacts a variety of clinical practices, including that of banking isolates for clinical or epidemiologic purposes. To determine the impact of these trends, infectious disease (ID) physicians were surveyed regarding their perceptions of offsite services. Clinical microbiology practices for retention of clinical isolates for future use were also determined. Surveys were sent to members of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s (IDSA) Emerging Infections Network (EIN). The EIN is a sentinel network of ID physicians who care for adult and/or pediatric patients in North America and who are members of IDSA. The response rate was 763 (45%) of 1,680 potential respondents. Five hundred forty (81%) respondents reported interacting with the clinical microbiology laboratory. Eighty-six percent of respondents thought an onsite laboratory very important for timely diagnostic reporting and ongoing communication with the clinical microbiologist. Thirty-five percent practiced in institutions where the core microbiology laboratory has been moved offsite, and an additional 7% (n = 38) reported that movement of core laboratory functions offsite was being considered. The respondents reported that only 24% of laboratories banked all isolates, with the majority saving isolates for less than 30 days. Based on these results, the trend toward centralized core laboratories negatively impacts the practice of ID physicians, potentially delays effective implementation of prompt and targeted care for patients with serious infections, and similarly adversely impacts infection control epidemiologic investigations.




impact

Impact of a Multidisciplinary, Endocrinologist-Led Shared Medical Appointment Model on Diabetes-Related Outcomes in an Underserved Population

A multidisciplinary endocrinologist-led shared medical appointment (SMA) model showed statistically significant reductions in A1C from baseline over 3 years that were not significantly different from appointments with endocrinologists or primary care providers alone within a resource-poor population. Similarly, the SMA model achieved clinical outcomes on par with endocrinologist-only visits with the added benefit of improving endocrine provider productivity and specialty access for patients. Greater patient engagement with the SMA model was associated with significantly lower A1C.




impact

Prognostic impact of pre-existing interstitial lung disease in non-HIV patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia

Background

The increasing incidence of life-threatening Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in non-HIV immunocompromised patients is a global concern. Yet, no reports have examined the prognostic significance of pre-existing interstitial lung disease (ILD) in non-HIV PCP.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of non-HIV PCP patients with (ILD group) or without (non-ILD group) pre-existing ILD. The clinical features and outcomes of the ILD group were compared with those of the non-ILD group. Cox regression models were constructed to identify prognostic factors.

Results

74 patients were enrolled in this study. The 90-day mortality was significantly higher in the ILD group than in the non-ILD group (62.5% versus 19.0%, p<0.001). In the ILD group, patients with a higher percentage of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophils had worse outcomes compared to those having a lower percentage (p=0.026). Multivariate analyses revealed that pre-existing ILD (p=0.002) and low levels of serum albumin (p=0.009) were independent risk factors for 90-day mortality. Serum levels of β-d-glucan were significantly reduced after treatment of PCP in both groups, whereas levels of Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) significantly increased in the ILD group. In the ILD group, the 90-day mortality of patients with increasing KL-6 levels after treatment was significantly higher than those with decreasing levels (78.9% versus 0%, p=0.019).

Conclusion

In non-HIV PCP patients, pre-existing ILD is associated with a poorer prognosis. Prophylaxis for PCP is needed in patients with pre-existing ILD under immunosuppression.




impact

A microsimulation model to assess the economic impact of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction

Immunotherapy has become the standard of care in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to quantify the economic impact, in France, of anti-PD-1 therapy for NSCLC.

Methods

We used patient-level data from the national ESCAP-2011-CPHG cohort study to estimate time to treatment failure and mean cost per patient for the four label indications approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for NSCLC in May 2018. To compute the budget impact, we used a microsimulation model to estimate the target populations of anti-PD-1 therapy over a 3-year period, which were combined with the annual cost of treatment.

Results

Overall, 11 839 patients with NSCLC were estimated to be eligible for anti-PD-1 therapy 3 years after the introduction of anti-PD-1 therapies. The mean annual cost per patient in the control group ranged from 2671 (95% CI 2149–3194) to 6412 (95% CI 5920–6903) across the four indications. The mean annual cost of treatment for the four EMA-approved indications of anti-PD-1 therapy was estimated to be 48.7 million in the control group and at 421.8 million in the immunotherapy group. The overall budget impact in 2019 is expected to amount to 373.1 million. In the sensitivity analysis, flat doses and treatment effect had the greatest influence on the budget impact.

Conclusion

Anti-PD-1 agents for NSCLC treatment are associated with a substantial economic burden.




impact

Diagnostic Utility and Impact on Clinical Decision Making of Focused Assessment With Sonography for HIV-Associated Tuberculosis in Malawi: A Prospective Cohort Study

ABSTRACTBackground:The focused assessment with sonography for HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB) (FASH) ultrasound protocol has been increasingly used to help clinicians diagnose TB. We sought to quantify the diagnostic utility of FASH for TB among individuals with HIV in Malawi.Methods:Between March 2016 and August 2017, 210 adults with HIV who had 2 or more signs and symptoms that were concerning for TB (fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss) were enrolled from a public HIV clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. The treating clinicians conducted a history, physical exam, FASH protocol, and additional TB evaluation (laboratory diagnostics and chest radiography) on all participants. The clinician made a final treatment decision based on all available information. At the 6-month follow-up visit, we categorized participants based on clinical outcomes and diagnostic tests as having probable/confirmed TB or unlikely TB; association of FASH with probable/confirmed TB was calculated using Fisher's exact tests. The impact of FASH on empiric TB treatment was determined by asking the clinicians prospectively about whether they would start treatment at 2 time points in the baseline visit: (1) after the initial history and physical exam; and (2) after history, physical exam, and FASH protocol.Results:A total of 181 participants underwent final analysis, of whom 56 were categorized as probable/confirmed TB and 125 were categorized as unlikely TB. The FASH protocol was positive in 71% (40/56) of participants with probable/confirmed TB compared to 24% (30/125) of participants with unlikely TB (odds ratio=7.9, 95% confidence interval=3.9,16.1; P<.001). Among those classified as confirmed/probable TB, FASH increased the likelihood of empiric TB treatment before obtaining any other diagnostic studies from 9% (5/56) to 46% (26/56) at the point-of-care. For those classified as unlikely TB, FASH increased the likelihood of empiric treatment from 2% to 4%.Conclusion:In the setting of HIV coinfection in Malawi, FASH can be a helpful tool that augments the clinician's ability to make a timely diagnosis of TB.




impact

The Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Diabetes Management

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes is a chronic health condition contributing to a substantial burden of disease. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 10.9 million people were newly insured by Medicaid between 2013 and 2016. Considering this coverage expansion, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could significantly affect people with diabetes in their management of the disease. This study evaluates the impact of the Medicaid expansion under the ACA on diabetes management.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This study includes 22,335 individuals with diagnosed diabetes from the 2011 to 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. It uses a difference-in-differences approach to evaluate the impact of the Medicaid expansion on self-reported access to health care, self-reported diabetes management, and self-reported health status. Additionally, it performs a triple-differences analysis to compare the impact between Medicaid expansion and nonexpansion states considering diabetes rates of the states.

RESULTS

Significant improvements in Medicaid expansion states as compared with non–Medicaid expansion states were evident in self-reported access to health care (0.09 score; P = 0.023), diabetes management (1.91 score; P = 0.001), and health status (0.10 score; P = 0.026). Among states with large populations with diabetes, states that expanded Medicaid reported substantial improvements in these areas in comparison with those that did not expand.

CONCLUSIONS

The Medicaid expansion has significant positive effects on self-reported diabetes management. While states with large diabetes populations that expanded Medicaid have experienced substantial improvements in self-reported diabetes management, non–Medicaid expansion states with high diabetes rates may be facing health inequalities. The findings provide policy implications for the diabetes care community and policy makers.




impact

An increase in MYC copy number has a progressive negative prognostic impact in patients with diffuse large B-cell and high-grade lymphoma, who may benefit from intensified treatment regimens

MYC translocations, a hallmark of Burkitt lymphoma, occur in 5-15% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and have a negative prognostic impact. Numerical aberrations of MYC have also been detected in these patients, but their incidence and prognostic role are still controversial. We analyzed the clinical impact of MYC increased copy number on 385 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma screened at diagnosis for MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 rearrangements. We enumerated the number of MYC copies, defining as amplified those cases with an uncountable number of extra-copies. The prevalence of MYC translocation, increased copy number and amplification was 8.8%, 15%, and 1%, respectively. Patients with 3 or 4 gene copies, accounting for more than 60% of patients with MYC copy number changes, had a more favorable outcome compared to patients with >4 copies or translocation of MYC, and were not influenced by the type of treatment received as first-line. Stratification according to the number of MYC extra-copies showed a negative correlation between an increasing number of copies and survival. Patients with >7 copies or the amplification of MYC had the poorest prognosis. Patients with >4 copies of MYC showed a similar, trending towards worse prognosis compared to patients with MYC translocation. The survival of patients with >4 copies, translocation or amplification of MYC seemed to be superior if intensive treatments were used. Our study underlines the importance of fluorescence in situ hybridization testing at diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma to detect the rather frequent and clinically significant numerical aberrations of MYC.




impact

Impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on outcomes of adult Philadelphia-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a study by the Acute Leukemia Working Committee of the Center for International Blood and

Cytogenetic risk stratification at diagnosis has long been one of the most useful tools to assess prognosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To examine the prognostic impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, we studied 1731 adults with Philadelphia-negative ALL in complete remission who underwent myeloablative or reduced intensity/non-myeloablative conditioning transplant from unrelated or matched sibling donors reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. A total of 632 patients had abnormal conventional metaphase cytogenetics. The leukemia-free survival and overall survival rates at 5 years after transplantation in patients with abnormal cytogenetics were 40% and 42%, respectively, which were similar to those in patients with a normal karyotype. Of the previously established cytogenetic risk classifications, modified Medical Research Council-Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score was the only independent prognosticator of leukemia-free survival (P=0.03). In the multivariable analysis, monosomy 7 predicted post-transplant relapse [hazard ratio (HR)=2.11; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.04-4.27] and treatment failure (HR=1.97; 95% CI: 1.20-3.24). Complex karyotype was prognostic for relapse (HR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.06-2.69), whereas t(8;14) predicted treatment failure (HR=2.85; 95% CI: 1.35-6.02) and overall mortality (HR=3.03; 95% CI: 1.44-6.41). This large study suggested a novel transplant-specific cytogenetic scheme with adverse [monosomy 7, complex karyotype, del(7q), t(8;14), t(11;19), del(11q), tetraploidy/near triploidy], intermediate (normal karyotype and all other abnormalities), and favorable (high hyperdiploidy) risks to prognosticate leukemia-free survival (P=0.02). Although some previously established high-risk Philadelphia-negative cytogenetic abnormalities in ALL can be overcome by transplantation, monosomy 7, complex karyotype, and t(8;14) continue to pose significant risks and yield inferior outcomes.




impact

EZH2 mutations and impact on clinical outcome: an analysis in 1,604 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia




impact

Impacts of Operational Failures on Primary Care Physicians Work: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of the Literature [Systematic Review]

PURPOSE

Operational failures are system-level errors in the supply of information, equipment, and materials to health care personnel. We aimed to review and synthesize the research literature to determine how operational failures in primary care affect the work of primary care physicians.

METHODS

We conducted a critical interpretive synthesis. We searched 7 databases for papers published in English from database inception until October 2017 for primary research of any design that addressed problems interfering with primary care physicians’ work. All potentially eligible titles/abstracts were screened by 1 reviewer; 30% were subject to second screening. We conducted an iterative critique, analysis, and synthesis of included studies.

RESULTS

Our search retrieved 8,544 unique citations. Though no paper explicitly referred to "operational failures," we identified 95 papers that conformed to our general definition. The included studies show a gap between what physicians perceived they should be doing and what they were doing, which was strongly linked to operational failures—including those relating to technology, information, and coordination—over which physicians often had limited control. Operational failures actively configured physicians’ work by requiring significant compensatory labor to deliver the goals of care. This labor was typically unaccounted for in scheduling or reward systems and had adverse consequences for physician and patient experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary care physicians’ efforts to compensate for suboptimal work systems are often concealed, risking an incomplete picture of the work they do and problems they routinely face. Future research must identify which operational failures are highest impact and tractable to improvement.




impact

Impacts of Operational Failures on Primary Care Physicians Work: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of the Literature [Departments]




impact

Impact of Daptomycin Dose Exposure Alone or in Combination with {beta}-Lactams or Rifampin against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in an In Vitro Biofilm Model [Susceptibility]

Enterococcus faecium strains are commonly resistant to vancomycin and β-lactams. In addition, E. faecium often causes biofilm-associated infections and these infections are difficult to treat. In this context, we investigated the activity of dosing regimens using daptomycin (DAP) (8, 10, 12, and 14 mg/kg of body weight/day) alone and in combination with ceftaroline (CPT), ampicillin (AMP), ertapenem (ERT), and rifampin (RIF) against 2 clinical strains of biofilm-producing vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm), namely, strains S447 and HOU503, in an in vitro biofilm model. HOU503 harbors common LiaS and LiaR substitutions, whereas S447 lacks mutations associated with the LiaFSR pathway. MIC results demonstrated that both strains were susceptible to DAP and resistant to CPT, AMP, ERT, and RIF. The 168-h pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) CDC biofilm reactor models (simulating human antibiotic exposures) were used with titanium and polyurethane coupons to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic combinations. DAP 12 and 14 achieved bactericidal activity against S447 but lacked such effect against HOU503. Addition of ERT and RIF enhanced DAP activity, allowing DAP 8 and 10 plus ERT or RIF to produce bactericidal activity against both strains at 168 h. While DAP 8 and 10 plus CPT improved killing, they did not reach bactericidal reduction against S447. Combination of AMP, CPT, ERT, or RIF resulted in enhanced and bactericidal activity for DAP against HOU503 at 168 h. Our data provide further support for the use of combinations of DAP with AMP, ERT, CPT, and RIF in infections caused by biofilm producing VREfm. Further research involving DAP combinations against biofilm-producing enterococci is warranted.




impact

Race May Not Impact Endocrine Therapy-Related Changes in Breast Density

Background:

Reduction in breast density may be a biomarker of endocrine therapy (ET) efficacy. Our objective was to assess the impact of race on ET-related changes in volumetric breast density (VBD).

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study assessed longitudinal changes in VBD measures in women with estrogen receptor–positive invasive breast cancer treated with ET. VBD, the ratio of fibroglandular volume (FGV) to breast volume (BV), was measured using Volpara software. Changes in measurements were evaluated using a multivariable linear mixed effects model.

Results:

Compared with white women (n = 191), black women (n = 107) had higher rates of obesity [mean ± SD body mass index (BMI) 34.5 ± 9.1 kg/m2 vs. 30.6 ± 7.0 kg/m2, P < 0.001] and premenopausal status (32.7% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.002). Age- and BMI-adjusted baseline FGV, BV, and VBD were similar between groups. Modeled longitudinal changes were also similar: During a follow-up of 30.7 ± 15.0 months (mean ± SD), FGV decreased over time in premenopausal women (slope = –0.323 cm3; SE = 0.093; P = 0.001), BV increased overall (slope = 2.475 cm3; SE = 0.483; P < 0.0001), and VBD decreased (premenopausal slope = –0.063%, SE = 0.011; postmenopausal slope = –0.016%, SE = 0.004; P < 0.0001). Race was not significantly associated with these longitudinal changes, nor did race modify the effect of time on these changes. Higher BMI was associated with lower baseline VBD (P < 0.0001). Among premenopausal women, VBD declined more steeply for women with lower BMI (time x BMI, P = 0.0098).

Conclusions:

Race does not appear to impact ET-related longitudinal changes in VBD.

Impact:

Racial disparities in estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer recurrence and mortality may not be explained by differential declines in breast density due to ET.




impact

The Impact of One-week Dietary Supplementation with Kava on Biomarkers of Tobacco Use and Nitrosamine-based Carcinogenesis Risk among Active Smokers

Tobacco smoking is the primary risk factor for lung cancer, driven by the addictive nature of nicotine and the indisputable carcinogenicity of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) as well as other compounds. The integration of lung cancer chemoprevention with smoking cessation is one potential approach to reduce this risk and mitigate lung cancer mortality. Experimental data from our group suggest that kava, commonly consumed in the South Pacific Islands as a beverage to promote relaxation, may reduce lung cancer risk by enhancing NNK detoxification and reducing NNK-derived DNA damage. Building upon these observations, we conducted a pilot clinical trial to evaluate the effects of a 7-day course of kava on NNK metabolism in active smokers. The primary objective was to compare urinary total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL plus its glucuronides, major metabolites of NNK) before and after kava administration as an indicator of NNK detoxification. Secondary objectives included determining kava's safety, its effects on DNA damage, tobacco use, and cortisol (a biomarker of stress). Kava increased urinary excretion of total NNAL and reduced urinary 3-methyladenine in participants, suggestive of its ability to reduce the carcinogenicity of NNK. Kava also reduced urinary total nicotine equivalents, indicative of its potential to facilitate tobacco cessation. Plasma cortisol and urinary total cortisol equivalents were reduced upon kava use, which may contribute to reductions in tobacco use. These results demonstrate the potential of kava intake to reduce lung cancer risk among smokers.




impact

9 negative impacts of land fever investors should know

The upsurge of land price leads to a real estate bubble, pushing up production costs, creating a virtual tendency and gradually increasing bad debt.




impact

How to Measure Video Marketing Impact + KPIs for Every Team’s Video Program

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impact

Astronomy group finds Starlink satellites will have 'negative impact'

The International Astronomical Union has concluded a review of satellite mega constellations such as SpaceX's Starlink satellites and found they will have a major impact on large telescopes, but not naked eye astronomy




impact

Asteroid Arrokoth may have broken its neck in 6400 km per hour impact

Arrokoth, a strange two-lobed space rock, was hit by another rock at some point – the collision may have snapped Arrokoth’s narrow neck before it reformed again




impact

AI and the Future of Work: The Economic Impacts of Artificial Intelligence

Experts discuss technological inequality and the “reskilling” problem at an MIT conference



  • robotics
  • robotics/artificial-intelligence

impact

Covid-19: We can ward off some of the negative impacts on children

Children will face many hidden negative effects from the new coronavirus, but it's not too late to avert them, says Paul Ramchandani




impact

Flynn prosecutor's contested claims impacted judge's pivotal December opinion, FBI docs suggest

Newly released FBI documents suggest a federal judge in Washington was swayed by apparent misrepresentations from a top prosecutor when he issued a memorandum opinion in December 2019 -- a ruling that marked one of the lowest points in former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn's effort to withdraw a guilty plea on a charge of lying to investigators.



  • 5b87458c-93be-5dc7-bb4b-ead59d2f7072
  • fox-news/tech/topics/fbi
  • fox-news/politics/justice-department
  • fox-news/politics/executive/cabinet
  • fox-news/politics/executive/national-security
  • fox-news/person/donald-trump
  • fox-news/person/barack-obama
  • fnc
  • fnc/politics
  • article
  • Fox News
  • Gregg Re

impact

Labour confession: Len McCluskey's blunt analysis of Jeremy Corbyn's impact revealed



AS THE Labour Party prepares itself for four years under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of Unite the Union explained how he believes Jeremy Corbyn has changed the face of the party forever.




impact

After the Dinosaur-Killing Impact, Soot Played a Remarkable Role in Extinction

The famous impact 66 million years ago kicked up soot into the atmosphere that played an even bigger role in blocking sunlight than experts had realized




impact

UK coronavirus lockdown: What impact have restrictions had on health, family life, work and economy so far?

Follow our live Covid-19 updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms




impact

The positive impacts on the environment since the coronavirus lockdown began

Read our live updates on coronavirus HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms




impact

Angela Merkel praised for &apos;superb&apos; explanation on how coronavirus infection rates impact healthcare systems

Follow our live coronavirus updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms




impact

Young people anxious about impact of coronavirus on education, Snapchat survey finds

Follow our live coronavirus updates here




impact

Nearly 18,000 more people could die of cancer due to impact of Covid-19, researchers warn

Nearly 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England due to the impact of coronavirus, experts have warned.




impact

Schools after lockdown: Education experts on social distancing, PPE for teachers and the psychological impact on children

Headteachers are planning for life after the lockdown to ensure the return to school will be safe for all children and staff.




impact

VE Day 2020: When is it and how will lockdown impact this year&apos;s celebrations?

Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, marked the end of the Second World War in Europe, when Germany surrendered to the Allied armies.





impact

Allergy impact from invasive weed &#39;underestimated&#39;

The impact on human health of an invasive ragweed plant may be "seriously underestimated".





impact

A Realtor Reflects On The Impact Of Lockdown On Her Business

Marilyn Rivera Torres, a realtor in Puerto Rico, says the lockdown has dried up her finances. Confusion over the governor's executive orders also make it unclear how to resume her business.




impact

A Salon Owner Worries About The Lockdown's Impact On Her Business

Christine Maccarone of New Jersey styles hair in nursing homes and hospitals. She's worried about her business surviving the state lockdown, and the well-being of her elderly clients.






impact

Characters who had a huge impact despite only being on screen for minutes

These characters made a huge impact in iconic movies, despite not being on the screen for very long.




impact

Oprah Winfrey warns of &apos;staggering&apos; coronavirus impact on black Americans: &apos;It&apos;s taking us out&apos;

TV host dedicated an episode of her show to virus's deadly toll on black America




impact

What date is Ramadan and what impact will coronavirus have on celebrations this year?

Coronavirus: The symptoms




impact

Reversible tricks to give your rental home a high-impact refresh

These creative tricks are easy to put back when you move out for renters worried about their deposit.




impact

Music Canada and CONNECT Music Licensing Artist Impact Survey Release

March 24, 2020, Toronto: CONNECT Music Licensing and Music Canada are sharing an Artist Impact Survey designed to help the government and the music industry better understand the impact COVID-19 is having on artists within the community. At the heart of the entire community are the creators, and they are at this moment in time […]

The post Music Canada and CONNECT Music Licensing Artist Impact Survey Release appeared first on Music Canada.




impact

Frank Lampard reveals Chelsea are ready to execute various transfer plans depending on coronavirus impact

Frank Lampard has revealed Chelsea are ready to execute various different transfer plans depending on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.




impact

Tottenham defender Ben Davies hails impact of &apos;dream manager&apos; Jose Mourinho

Tottenham defender Ben Davies has described Jose Mourinho as a "dream manager" and says his arrival at the club gave everyone a lift.