Search

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly used to treat several types of tumors. Impact of this emerging therapy on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is usually collected in clinical trials through standard questionnaires. However, this might not fully reflect HRQoL of patients under real-world conditions. In parallel, users’ narratives from social media represent a potential new source of research concerning HRQoL. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to assess and compare coverage of ICI-treated patients’ HRQoL domains and subdomains in standard questionnaires from clinical trials and in real-world setting from social media posts. MethodsA retrospective study was carried out by collecting social media posts in French language written by internet users mentioning their experiences with ICIs between January 2011 and August 2018. Automatic and manual extractions were implemented to create a corpus where domains and subdomains of HRQoL were classified. These annotations were compared with domains covered by 2 standard HRQoL questionnaires, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the FACT-G. ResultsWe identified 150 users who described their own experience with ICI (89/150, 59.3%) or that of their relative (61/150, 40.7%), with 137 users (91.3%) reporting at least one HRQoL domain in their social media posts. A total of 8 domains and 42 subdomains of HRQoL were identified: Global health (1 subdomain; 115 patients), Symptoms (13; 76), Emotional state (10; 49), Role (7; 22), Physical activity (4; 13), Professional situation (3; 9), Cognitive state (2; 2), and Social state (2; 2). The QLQ-C30 showed a wider global coverage of social media HRQoL subdomains than the FACT-G, 45% (19/42) and 29% (12/42), respectively. For both QLQ-C30 and FACT-G questionnaires, coverage rates were particularly suboptimal for Symptoms (68/123, 55.3% and 72/123, 58.5%, respectively), Emotional state (7/49, 14% and 24/49, 49%, respectively), and Role (17/22, 77% and 15/22, 68%, respectively). ConclusionsMany patients with cancer are using social media to share their experiences with immunotherapy. Collecting and analyzing their spontaneous narratives are helpful to capture and understand their HRQoL in real-world setting. New measures of HRQoL are needed to provide more in-depth evaluation of Symptoms, Emotional state, and Role among patients with cancer treated with immunotherapy.

BackgroundThere is an unmet need for a tool that helps to evaluate patients who are at risk of progressing from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). A new tool supporting the evaluation of early signs suggestive of progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been developed. In the initial stage, concepts relevant to progression were identified using a mixed method approach involving regression on data from a real-world observational study and qualitative research with patients and physicians. The tool was drafted in a questionnaire format to assess these variables. ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop the scoring algorithm for the tool, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. MethodsThe draft scoring algorithm was developed using two approaches: quantitative analysis of real-world data and qualitative analysis based on physician interviews and ranking and weighting exercises. Variables that were included in the draft tool and regarded as most clinically relevant were selected for inclusion in a multiple logistic regression. The analyses were run using physician-reported data and patient-reported data. Subsequently, a ranking and weighting exercise was conducted with 8 experienced neurologists as part of semistructured interviews. Physicians were presented with the variables included in the draft tool and were asked to rank them in order of strength of contribution to progression and assign a weight by providing a percentage of the overall contribution. Physicians were also asked to explain their ranking and weighting choices. Concordance between physicians was explored. ResultsMultiple logistic regression identified age, MS disease activity, and Expanded Disability Status Scale score as the most significant physician-reported predictors of progression to SPMS. Patient age, mobility, and self-care were identified as the strongest patient-reported predictors of progression to SPMS. In physician interviews, the variables ranked and weighted as most important were stability or worsening of symptoms, intermittent or persistent symptoms, and presence of ambulatory and cognitive symptoms. Across all physicians, the level of concordance was 0.278 (P

BackgroundDefining the transition from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) can be challenging and delayed. A digital tool (MSProDiscuss) was developed to facilitate physician-patient discussion in evaluating early, subtle signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression representing this transition. ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine cut-off values and corresponding sensitivity and specificity for predefined scoring algorithms, with or without including Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, to differentiate between RRMS and SPMS patients and to evaluate psychometric properties. MethodsExperienced neurologists completed the tool for patients with confirmed RRMS or SPMS and those suspected to be transitioning to SPMS. In addition to age and EDSS score, each patient’s current disease status (disease activity, symptoms, and its impacts on daily life) was collected while completing the draft tool. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves determined optimal cut-off values (sensitivity and specificity) for the classification of RRMS and SPMS. ResultsTwenty neurologists completed the draft tool for 198 patients. Mean scores for patients with RRMS (n=89), transitioning to SPMS (n=47), and SPMS (n=62) were 38.1 (SD 12.5), 55.2 (SD 11.1), and 69.6 (SD 12.0), respectively (P

Simple Summary: In 2020, there were 880,000 new cases and 440,000 deaths attributed to head and neck cancer worldwide. Nivolumab was approved in 2016 in the United States, and 2017 in the European Union and Canada, for use in patients with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with progressive disease at or within 6 months after platinum-based therapy. This study was conducted to capture the real-world utilization of nivolumab and to assess the impact of treatment on quality of life among affected patients. The retrospective protocol (VOLUME) described the effectiveness of treatment with nivolumab in terms of survival times and response on imaging, while the prospective protocol (VOLUME-PRO) described the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients treated with nivolumab. This study examined the real-world use of nivolumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN). This was a multinational retrospective study (VOLUME) assessing treatment effectiveness and safety outcomes and a prospective study (VOLUME-PRO) assessing HRQoL and patient-reported symptoms. There were 447 and 51 patients in VOLUME and VOLUME-PRO, respectively. Across both studies, the median age was 64.0 years, 80.9% were male, and 52.6% were former smokers. Clinical outcomes of interest included real-world overall survival (rwOS) and real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS). The median rwOS was 9.2 months. Among patients with at least one assessment, 21.7% reported their best response as 'partial response', with 3.9% reporting 'complete response'. The median duration of response (DoR) and median rwPFS were 11.0 months and 3.9 months, respectively. At baseline, VOLUME-PRO patients reported difficulties relating to fatigue, physical and sexual functioning, dyspnea, nausea, sticky saliva, dry mouth, pain/discomfort, mobility, and financial difficulties. There were improvements in social functioning and financial difficulties throughout the study; however, no other clinically meaningful changes were noted. No new safety concerns were identified. This real-world, multinational, multicenter, retrospective and prospective study supports the effectiveness and safety of nivolumab for R/M SCCHN patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A call to engagement at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) led to significant curricular and assessment changes in the university's Department of Political Science. The university unveiled the Year of the Department (YOTD) as "an ongoing strategic initiative for orchestrating change and aligning people, systems and culture at the basic unit level in the Division of Academic Affairs." The Year of the Department initiative drew from Massey's Honoring the Trust: Quality and Cost Containment in Higher Education (Massey, 2003), emphasizing: (1) Desired learning outcomes; (2) Design of curricula; (3) Design of the teaching and learning process; (4) Assessment of student learning; and (5) Use of results or feedback for improvement and quality assurance. YOTD offered a valuable framework for conducting the department's audit, aligning institutional and program goals, broadening perspectives on learning objectives, and changing both the curriculum and assessment methods. It is also important to note that the audit led to better communication. The rubrics help faculty communicate values, objectives, and performance standards to students. Students, likewise, use their portfolios to communicate with faculty. What makes the experience of FHSU's Department of Political Science different is that it focused not only on making changes to the department but also on providing meaningful feedback and capturing evidence of improvement at the student level.

Nanophosphor [Y.sub.2]Si[O.sub.5]:Ce (n-YSO), [Lu.sub.2]Si[O.sub.5]:Ce (n-LSO), and [Gd.sub.2]Si[O.sub.5]:Ce (n-GSO) were prepared by solution-combustion synthesis yielding nanophosphor crystallite sizes between 20 nm-80 nm. Ce dopant concentrations were varied between 0.1%-10% for each the nanophosphors and concentration quenching curves were measured by radioluminescence (RL) and photoluminescence (PL). n-YSO exhibits concentration quenching at 1 at% and 4 at% under uv and x-ray excitation, respectively. Red shifted emission with a larger Stokes shift is observed for nanophosphors as compared to bulk crystals. The measured PL lifetime depended on the refractive index of the media, indicating that the PL originates from the surface. Measurements of the RL/PL intensity indicate that the light output of these materials is comparable to the bulk crystal. Index Terms--Concentration quenching, fluorescence lifetime, luminescence, nanophosphor, oxyorthosilicates.

The main thermally stimulated luminescence glow peak in irradiated oxyorthosilicates occurs near 360-400 K and has been postulated to comprise an electron trapped at an oxygen vacancy ([F.sup.+] center). We have used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify this defect in [Ln.sub.2]Si[O.sub.5] : Ce (Ln = Lu and Y) and show that it consists of a single electron trapped at a non-silicon-bonded oxygen vacancy in both bulk and nanophosphor oxyorthosilicates. Both Lu- and Y-based nanophosphors form seven- and nine-oxygen coordinated structures ([P2.sub.1]/c) whereas the bulk phosphors form six. and seven-oxygen coordinated structures (C2/c). In each case the [F.sup.+] center predominately forms at the larger oxygen site. A typical resonance comprises a single Gaussian line broadened by hyperfine interaction with g-values near the free electron value and hyperfine coupling ~0.4 mT. The [F.sup.+] center can be annealed and radiation-induced, consistent with the thermally stimulated luminescence glow peak behavior. Index Terms--Electron paramagnetic resonance, [F.sup.+] center, luminescence, oxyorthosilicates.