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Nurse leaders must use ethical decision-making skills when patients can't decide for themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To probe the understanding of healthcare providers regarding occupational exposure to human papillomavirus and their knowledge about human papillomavirus vaccination in relation to the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) recommendations. In this cross-sectional study, the healthcare providers at Mayo Clinic Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota were delivered an electronic survey. The survey was completed by 349 healthcare providers, with one respondent excluded for inconsistent entry. The mean age of respondents was 42.7 ± 10.9, and of those, 68% were female and 32% were male. Of the unvaccinated respondents, 43.3% were ≤ 45 y of age (eligible for vaccination), while those vaccinated formed 41% of the respondents. Healthcare providers are highly concerned about their cancer safety, as shown by their awareness of occupational human papillomavirus hazards and broad knowledge about vaccine efficacy. The use of personal protective equipment varied widely, including eyewear, double gloving, procedural face mask, N95 face mask, and/or nothing. Human papillomavirus and cancer risk was clearly perceived by healthcare providers. For professions, pairwise comparisons revealed that nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and allied healthcare providers had lower scores than medical doctors. Despite the high level of understanding among healthcare providers of occupational human papillomavirus exposure, only a few of them knew of the recommendations of the ASCPP for vaccination of healthcare providers treating human papillomavirus-related diseases. In such cases, most of those surveyed embraced vaccination, which was considered 100% safe by medical doctors and allied health professionals.

Background/objectives: Our objective was to describe the use of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for the treatment of recurrent/persistent cervical or endometrial cancer and assess predictors of postoperative complications and 3-year mortality., Methods: In this multi-site retrospective study, data were abstracted for recurrent/persistent endometrial or cervical cancer patients who underwent IORT from June 2004 to May 2021. Complications were graded on the six-point Accordion scale. Variables associated with complications were analyzed with univariate logistic regression, while variables associated with death within 3 years were analyzed with Cox proportional hazards modeling. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: Eighty patients had planned IORT for recurrent/persistent endometrial (n = 35) or cervical cancer (n = 45). The mean age of the cohort was 56.8 years (SD = 13.7), and the median disease-free interval from primary disease to recurrence was 20.0 months (IQR 10.0-63.1). The overall survival at 3 years was 48.6% (95% CI: 38.3-61.6%) with a median survival of 2.8 years. Within 30 days postoperative, 16 patients (20.1%) had grade 3-5 complications and one death (1.3%) occurred. Factors associated with grade 3+ complication included ECOG PS 2-3 (OR 18.00, p = 0.04), neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy (OR 6.98, p < 0.01), and pelvic sidewall involvement (OR 8.80, p = 0.04). Factors associated with death within 3 years of surgery included ECOG PS 2-3 (HR 8.97, p < 0.01), neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy (HR 2.34, p = 0.03), whether exenteration was performed (HR 2.64, p = 0.01), and positive resection margin (HR 3.37, p < 0.01)., Conclusions: In well-selected patients, IORT is a feasible and safe option for the treatment of recurrent/persistent gynecologic malignancy with an appreciable survival benefit.

Improvements in the number and resolution of Earth- and satellite-based sensors coupled with finer-resolution models have resulted in an explosion in the volume of Earth science data. This data-rich environment is changing the practice of Earth science, extending it beyond discovery and applied science to new realms. This Review highlights recent big data applications in three subdisciplines-hydrology, oceanography, and atmospheric science. We illustrate how big data relate to contemporary challenges in science: replicability and reproducibility and the transition from raw data to information products. Big data provide unprecedented opportunities to enhance our understanding of Earth's complex patterns and interactions. The emergence of digital twins enables us to learn from the past, understand the current state, and improve the accuracy of future predictions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors in feasibility and safety of same-day dismissal (SDD) of endometrial cancer patients undergoing robotic hysterectomy and staging. A single-institution retrospective chart review of endometrial cancer patients who underwent robotic hysterectomy and staging between 2012 and 2021 was performed. Patient demographics, medical and surgical history, intra- and postoperative events were examined as possible factors related to non-SDD. These factors were analyzed using univariate (chi-square test) and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 292 patients, 117 (40%) had SDD, and 175 (60%) had non-SDD. The SDD rate increased from 13.8% to 88% over the 10-year study period. The factors significantly associated with non-SDD (p < 0.05) were surgery in the first 5 years after the introduction of the SDD and ERAS protocols (2012-2016), age > 75 years, and comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, anemia (Hb < 11 g/dl), and anticoagulant therapy. Extensive adhesiolysis, the performance of complete pelvic and/or aortic lymphadenectomy, operating time > 180 min, and PACU discharge after 2:00 p.m. were significant factors for non-SDD. Sentinel lymph node sampling was significantly associated with SDD (OR 0.050; CI 0.273-0.934, p = 0.029). We reported no significant difference in the number, setting and timing of any unscheduled postoperative contacts, complications, and readmissions between SDD and non-SDD groups. SDD after robotic hysterectomy and staging for endometrial cancer is feasible and safe. There are patient and surgery factors for the failure of SDD. The sentinel lymph node sampling was significantly associated with achieving SDD. Trial registration: Institutional Review Board approved the study protocol (#: 1764-05)., (© 2022. Italian Society of Surgery (SIC).)

Study Objective: To investigate the feasibility and predictive factors for same-day discharge (SDD) after robotic hysterectomy (RH) for benign indications to optimize patient selection by incorporating preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables., Design: A single-center retrospective cohort study., Setting: Tertiary academic hospital., Patients: Patients undergoing RH for benign indications., Interventions: Patients were designated for SDD by implementing enhanced recovery after surgery protocol., Measurements and Main Results: The study included 890 patients who underwent RH for benign indications between the years 2016 and 2021. Of these, 618 (69.4%) were discharged the same day and 272 (30.5%) were admitted for overnight stay. Both groups had similar age (46.4 vs 46.2 years), body mass index (28.3 vs 28.9), and indications for surgery. In multivariable logistic regression, factors that were significant for overnight stay were American Society of Anesthesiologists score 3, Charlson comorbidity index, previous laparotomy, and operative time. Other factors such as surgery start time and preoperative hemoglobin levels were not statistically significant. Postoperative outcomes were comparable for both groups with similar readmission and reoperation rates., Conclusion: The likelihood of SDD after RH in this cohort after implementing enhanced recovery after surgery protocol was almost 70%, and most of the predictive factors for overnight stay were nonmodifiable. Importantly, both groups had similar outcomes after surgery., (Copyright © 2022 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The adjunctive use of intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI) is gaining acceptance as a potential means to improve outcomes for surgical resection of targetable tumors. This confirmatory study examined the use of pafolacianine for real-time detection of folate receptor-positive ovarian cancer., Methods: This phase III, open-label, 11-center study included subjects with known or suspected ovarian cancer, scheduled to undergo cytoreductive surgery. The objectives were to confirm safety and efficacy of pafolacianine (0.025 mg/kg IV), given ≥ 1 hour before intraoperative near-infrared imaging to detect macroscopic lesions not detected by palpation and normal white light., Results: From March 2018 through April 2020, 150 patients received a single infusion of pafolacianine (safety analysis set); 109 patients with folate receptor-positive ovarian cancer comprised the full analysis set for efficacy. In 33.0% of patients (95% CI, 24.3 to 42.7; P < .001), pafolacianine with near-infrared imaging identified additional cancer on tissue not planned for resection and not detected by white light assessment and palpation, exceeding the prespecified threshold of 10%. Among patients who underwent interval debulking surgery, the rate was 39.7% (95% CI, 27.0 to 53.4; P < .001). The sensitivity to detect ovarian cancer was 83%, and the patient false-positive rate was 24.8%. Investigators reported achieving complete R0 resection in 62.4% (68 of 109) of patients. Drug-related adverse events were reported by 30% of patients (45 of 150) and most commonly included nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. No drug-related serious adverse events or deaths were reported., Conclusion: This phase III study of pafolacianine met its primary efficacy end point, identifying additional cancers not otherwise identified or planned for resection. Pafolacianine may offer an important real-time adjunct to current surgical approaches for ovarian cancer.

Background: Increased infiltration of T cells into ovarian tumors has been repeatedly shown to be predictive of enhanced patient survival. However, despite the evidence of an active immune response in ovarian cancer (OC), the frequency of responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy in OC is much lower than other cancer types. Recent studies have highlighted that deficiencies in the DNA damage response (DDR) can drive increased genomic instability and tumor immunogenicity, which leads to enhanced responses to ICB. Protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) is a critical regulator of the DDR; however, its potential role in antitumor immunity is currently unknown., Results: Our results show that the PP4 inhibitor, fostriecin, combined with carboplatin leads to increased carboplatin sensitivity, DNA damage, and micronuclei formation. Using multiple OC cell lines, we show that PP4 inhibition or PPP4C knockdown combined with carboplatin triggers inflammatory signaling via Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) activation. This resulted in increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines: CCL5 , CXCL10 , and IL-6 . In addition, IFNB1 expression was increased suggesting activation of the type I interferon response. Conditioned media from OC cells treated with the combination of PP4 inhibitor and carboplatin significantly increased migration of both CD8 T cell and natural killer (NK) cells over carboplatin treatment alone. Knockdown of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in OC cells significantly abrogated the increase in CD8 T-cell migration induced by PP4 inhibition. Co-culture of NK-92 cells and OC cells with PPP4C or PPP4R3B knockdown resulted in strong induction of NK cell interferon-γ, increased degranulation, and increased NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against OC cells. Stable knockdown of PP4C in a syngeneic, immunocompetent mouse model of OC resulted in significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo . Tumors with PP4C knockdown had increased infiltration of NK cells, NK T cells, and CD4 + T cells. Addition of low dose carboplatin treatment led to increased CD8 + T-cell infiltration in PP4C knockdown tumors as compared with the untreated PP4C knockdown tumors., Conclusions: Our work has identified a role for PP4 inhibition in promoting inflammatory signaling and enhanced immune cell effector function. These findings support the further investigation of PP4 inhibitors to enhance chemo-immunotherapy for OC treatment., Competing Interests: Competing interests: No, there are no competing interests., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Study Objective: To determine whether advancing a manipulator increased the distance of the ureter to the cervix and/or vagina., Design: Prospective., Setting: Academic institution., Patients: A total of 22 intact fresh-frozen female pelvises., Interventions: A total of 6 ureteral distances were measured per pelvis. Included were the following measurements on each side: (1) from the lateral cervical wall to the ureter at the intersection with the uterine artery; (2) from the lateral cervical wall to the parametrial ureter; and (3) from the vagina to the ureter at the intersection with the uterine artery. All measurements were obtained with and without advancement of a uterine manipulator., Measurements and Main Results: The average distance from the ureter to the cervix and vagina without advancing the manipulator was 2.8 and 3.1 cm, respectively, and the distance from the parametrial ureter to the cervix was 3.3 cm. When the manipulator was advanced, all ureteral distances increased by 0.8, 0.6, and 0.6 cm, respectively, in 12 of the 22 pelvises (55%). Advancing the manipulator did not increase at least 1 of the distances in 10 of the 22 pelvises (45%). The advancement of the manipulator lengthened the 2 shortest ureteral distances of 1 cm noted in 1 pelvis (4.5%) by 0.9 and 0.4 cm., Conclusion: The uterine manipulator increased the distance of the ureter to the cervix and vagina for all measurements in 55.5% of the pelvises. The greatest increase was 0.9 cm. The manipulator did not increase at least 1 of the distances in 10 of the 22 pelvises (45.4%)., (Copyright © 2022 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Wind speed analysis is important for informing airport operation and safety. Many communities in the Hudson Bay and Labrador regions (Canada) are remote communities that rely heavily on aircraft for passenger and freight movement. Historical trends in average daily wind speed and maximum daily wind speed from 1971 to 2010 were examined to identify patterns of change and determine how these changes may influence aviation in six northern communities across Hudson Bay and Labrador in Canada. Significant increases in average wind speed and maximum wind speed were found for some of the months and seasons of the year for the Hudson Bay region, along with a significant decrease in those variables for the Labrador communities. Average wind speeds at multiple locations are approaching the threshold (18.5 km/h or 10 knots) when take-off and landing would be restricted to one direction. The results of this study agree with previous research that examined historical patterns for wind speed in these regions but calls into question climate change impact assessments that suggest wind speeds will continue to increase under future climatic conditions for this study area. Future research is needed to further analyse shifts in prevailing wind directions and changes in the frequency of extreme wind conditions, to better understand the potential impacts of projected climate change on this climatic variable and the implications these changes may have on applied sectors, such as aviation., (© 2020. ISB.)

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) represents the most frequently occurring gynecological malignancy, accounting for more than 70% of ovarian cancer deaths. Preoperative imaging plays an important role in assessing the extent of disease and guides the next step in surgical decision-making and operative planning. In this article, we will review the multimodality imaging features of various subtypes of EOC. We will also discuss the role of imaging in the staging, management, and surveillance of EOC.

Thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA) is a common pathology of the hand that is characterized by pain, loss of grip and pinch strength, and deformity. Although conservative management is often preferred in earlier stage of CMC OA, surgical techniques can be used when symptoms are not fully relieved, especially with subluxation. We report a case series of 26 patients (32 operations) with Eaton stage I and II CMC OA who underwent a novel surgical technique that anatomically restores the CMC joint with autologous double ligament reconstruction. All cases were retrospectively reviewed as a prospective study and performed at a single regional health system from 2012 to 2016. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs, grip and pinch strength measurements, and DASH scores were collected to evaluate the outcomes. The mean CMC subluxation ratio decreased from 0.59±0.14 to 0.35±0.21 (P<0.0001). The mean grip strength increased from 44.34±17.36 pounds to 52.97±18.92 pounds (P=0.017), and the mean pinch strength increased from 10.16±4.59 pounds to 12.75±4.52 pounds (P=0.00027). The mean DASH scores decreased from 42.32±14.99 to 19.94±14.47 (P<0.0001). The average follow-up period was 39.44±14.94 months. Three patients had postoperative thumb stiffness that resolved with physical therapy. One patient had postoperative pain, attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome. One surgery required revision. All other patients (84.38%) reported significant improvement in pain and the ability to return to previous levels of work. This surgical technique is therefore a feasible option for patients with Eaton stage I or II CMC OA, and should be recommended for wider surgical use., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest and no source of funding., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We describe a phase II clinical trial of the combination of ribociclib and letrozole for treatment of relapsed oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive ovarian cancer (OC) and endometrial cancer (EC). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients alive, progression-free survival (PFS), and still on treatment at 12 weeks (PFS12), with 45% or greater considered positive., Methods: Patients with measurable, relapsed ER-positive OC or EC (platinum-sensitive or resistant) were eligible and treated with 400 mg of oral ribociclib and 2.5 mg of oral letrozole daily. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were created from imaging-guided tumour biopsies., Results: Forty patients (20 OC and 20 EC) were enrolled. A PFS12 of 55% was observed in the EC cohort and 50% in the OC cohort. A PFS greater or equal to 24 weeks (PFS24) was seen in 20% (4/20) of the OC cohort and 35% (7/20) of the EC cohort. The greatest benefit was seen in low-grade serous OC (LGSOC) (3/3, 100% PFS24) and grades 1 and 2 EC (5/11, 45% PFS24). All three LGSOC patients obtained at least a partial response lasting for over 2 years, with two of the three patients still on treatment. PDX tumour engraftment was feasible in 45% of patients. Positive survival effects of the combination of ribociclib and letrozole were observed in two of three EC PDX models., Conclusion: Ribociclib and letrozole have promising clinical activity in relapsed ER-positive OC and EC, particularly in LGSOC and relapsed ER-positive grade 1 and 2 EC. Generation of PDX models is feasible with positive survival effects observed in EC models., Trial Registration Number: ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT02657928)., Competing Interests: Competing interests: GC-O and SJW report grants from Novartis during the conduct of the study. MSB reports grants from Immune Design, Pharmacyclics, Marker Therapeutics, Merck, Genentech and Bristol Myers Squibb, outside the submitted work. We certify that the other authors have no financial affiliation/interest (eg, employment, stock holdings, consultant arrangements, honoraria in the subject matter, materials or products) mentioned in this manuscript., (© Author (s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. Published by BMJ on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology.)

Objective: To examine the effect of robotic-assisted surgery implementation for treatment of endometrial cancer in the United States on 30-day clinical outcomes and costs., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of adult patients who underwent total hysterectomy for endometrial cancer in the US hospitals in Premier Healthcare Database between January 1, 2008 and September 30, 2015. We conducted trend analyses comparing the proportions of surgical approaches with the associated clinical outcomes and costs over the study period using Mann-Kendall tests. Clinical outcomes and costs of robotic-assisted surgery, laparoscopic and open surgery have been compared after propensity score 1:1 matching in the most recent 3 years (January 1, 2013-September 30, 2015)., Results: Of a total of 35,224 patients, use of robotic-assisted surgery increased from 9.48% to 56.82% while open surgery decreased from 70.4% to 28.1% over the study period. A 2.5% decrease in major complications (P < .001), a 2.9% decrease in minor complications (P = .001), and a 2.0% decrease 30-day readmissions (P = .001) was observed across all surgical approaches. Perioperative 30-day total cost slightly decreased from US $11,048 to US $10,322 (P = .08). Among propensity-score matched patients, robotic-assisted surgery was associated with shorter hospitalization than open surgery (median [interquartile range], 2.0 [2.0-3.0] vs 4.0 [3.0-6.0] days) and laparoscopic surgery (2.0 [2.0-3.0] vs 3.0 [2.0-4.0] days), fewer 30-day complications (20.1% vs 33.7%) (all P < .001), and comparable perioperative 30-day total costs (median [interquartile range], US $12,200 [US $9,509-US $16,341] vs US $12,018 [US $8,996-US $17,162]; P = .34) with open surgery., Conclusion: Robotic-assisted surgery facilitated the widespread diffusion of a minimally invasive approach nationally for endometrial cancer, with reduction of perioperative morbidity and no increase in overall treatment-related 30-day costs at national level., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Catamenial epilepsy refers to cyclic seizure exacerbation in relation to the menstrual cycle. Three distinct patterns have been described: C1-perimenstrual, C2-periovulatory, and C3-inadequate luteal. There is experimental and clinical evidence that gonadal steroid hormones affect neuronal excitability with estrogens being mainly proconvulsant and progesterone anticonvulsant. If reproductive steroids have a role in seizure occurrence, they may also have a role in treatment., Objective: The objective of this study was to critically assess current evidence regarding the efficacy of progesterone as adjunctive therapy in women with intractable catamenial epilepsy., Methods: The objective was addressed through the development of a structured critically appraised topic. This included a clinical scenario with a clinical question, literature search strategy, critical appraisal, results, evidence summary, commentary, and bottom line conclusions. Participants included consultant and resident neurologists, medical librarian, and content experts in the fields of epilepsy and gynecology., Results: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was selected for critical appraisal. This trial compared the efficacy of adjunctive cyclic natural progesterone therapy versus placebo for seizures in women with intractable partial epilepsy, stratified by catamenial and noncatamenial status. There was no significant difference in proportions of responders between progesterone and placebo in the catamenial and noncatamenial strata. Prespecified secondary analysis showed that the level of perimenstrual seizure exacerbation is a significant predictor of the responder rate for progesterone therapy., Conclusions: Cyclic natural progesterone is not superior to placebo in reducing seizure frequency in women with intractable partial epilepsy. Posthoc findings suggest that progesterone may benefit a subset of women with perimenstrually exacerbated seizures.

Objective: To assess how the widespread adoption of minimally invasive surgery in the United States is associated with changes in 30-day morbidity and mortality in endometrial cancer treatment., Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database for 2008-2014 was reviewed for patients who had undergone surgery for endometrial cancer according to their primary Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Women with CPT codes for advanced cancer or with disseminated disease were excluded. A trend analysis across the time period by surgical approach (open surgery through laparotomy, vaginal surgery, and minimally invasive surgery) was performed using a Cochran-Armitage test for trend. Thirty-day surgical outcomes were compared between patients who had minimally invasive surgery and open surgery. Inverse probability of treatment weighting models were used to investigate the independent effect of minimally invasive surgery on 30-day outcomes., Results: Overall, 12,283 patients met the inclusion criteria. A significant implementation of minimally invasive surgery (24.2-71.4%) and a concomitant decrease in open surgery through laparotomy (71.1-26.4%) were observed from 2008 to 2014 (both P<.001). Rate of vaginal surgery did not change over time (1.5-2.2%, P=.06). After adjusting for possible confounders, open surgery (compared with minimally invasive surgery) was independently associated with increased odds of major complications (n=347 versus n=274, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% CI 2.0-2.8), readmission (n=269 versus n=238, adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.8-2.6), reoperation (n=80 versus n=93, adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-2.1), superficial surgical site infection (n=190 versus n=55, adjusted OR 6.8, 95% CI 5.0-9.2), perioperative transfusion (n=430 versus n=149, adjusted OR 5.9, 95% CI 4.8-7.1), and death (n=41 vs, n=20, adjusted OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.2-6.6). A comprehensive decrease in 30-day morbidity for the treatment of endometrial cancer overall was observed from 2008 to 2014 (P<.001), whereas 30-day mortality remained stable (P=.24)., Conclusion: The widespread adoption of minimally invasive surgery is associated with substantial decreases in 30-day morbidity, readmission, and reoperation for women treated for endometrial cancer in the United States.

Interest in preclinical drug development for ovarian cancer has stimulated development of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) or tumorgraft models. However, the unintended formation of human lymphoma in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected human lymphocytes can be problematic. In this study, we have characterized ovarian cancer PDXs which developed human lymphomas and explore methods to suppress lymphoproliferative growth. Fresh human ovarian tumors from 568 patients were transplanted intraperitoneally in SCID mice. A subset of PDX models demonstrated atypical patterns of dissemination with mediastinal masses, hepatosplenomegaly, and CD45-positive lymphoblastic atypia without ovarian tumor engraftment. Expression of human CD20 but not CD3 supported a B-cell lineage, and EBV genomes were detected in all lymphoproliferative tumors. Immunophenotyping confirmed monoclonal gene rearrangements consistent with B-cell lymphoma, and global gene expression patterns correlated well with other human lymphomas. The ability of rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, to suppress human lymphoproliferation from a patient's ovarian tumor in SCID mice and prevent growth of an established lymphoma led to a practice change with a goal to reduce the incidence of lymphomas. A single dose of rituximab during the primary tumor heterotransplantation process reduced the incidence of CD45-positive cells in subsequent PDX lines from 86.3% (n = 117 without rituximab) to 5.6% (n = 160 with rituximab), and the lymphoma rate declined from 11.1% to 1.88%. Taken together, investigators utilizing PDX models for research should routinely monitor for lymphoproliferative tumors and consider implementing methods to suppress their growth., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Limited therapeutic guidelines exist regarding medical therapy, ideal dosing, duration of therapy, or recommendations for timing of endometrial reassessment for women with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) who desire fertility preservation or who are not optimal surgical candidates. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral progestogens (OP) versus the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG IUS) in the medical treatment of EIN., Methods: We retrospectively identified women with EIN at our institution from 2007 through 2014 and compared the outcomes of those treated with OP versus LNG IUS., Results: Among 390 women, 296 were initially treated with OP and 94 with LNG IUS. Baseline characteristics of the patient groups were comparable, except for higher median body mass index in the LNG IUS group versus the OP group (37 kg/m 2 vs. 31 kg/m 2 ; p < 0.001). Among 332 women with follow-up endometrial biopsies (263 OP and 69 LNG IUS), EIN subcategory 1 (benign endometrial hyperplasia) resolved in 83% and 87% of patients, respectively (p = 0.31). Rates of resolution of EIN subcategory 2 (endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia) were also similar between groups (68% vs. 62%; p = 0.82). In women with EIN subcategory 3 (endometrial adenocarcinoma), 22% of those using LNG IUS and one of two women treated with OP had resolution of disease as of last follow-up., Conclusions: OP and LNG IUS offer similar endometrial protection for women with EIN. LNG IUS offers convenience, minimal adverse effects, reversibility, and long-term endometrial protection.

What Is Known and Objective: Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been studied in randomized, controlled trials and meta-analyses in an effort to determine their cardiovascular (CV) risks, no consensus has been reached. These studies continue to raise questions, including whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selectivity plays a role in conferring CV risk. We performed a meta-analysis of current literature to determine whether COX-2 selectivity leads to an increased CV risk., Methods: We utilized randomized, controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. We selected eight NSAIDs based on popularity and COX selectivity and conducted a search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Primary endpoints included any myocardial infarction (MI), any stroke, CV death, and a combination of all three (composite CV outcomes). Twenty-six studies were found that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Comparisons were made between all included drugs, against placebo, and against non-selective NSAIDs (nsNSAIDs). Drugs were also compared against COX-2 selective inhibitors (COXIBs) with and without inclusion of rofecoxib., Results and Discussion: Incidence of MI was increased by rofecoxib in all comparison categories [all NSAIDs (OR: 1·811, 95% CI: 1·379-2·378), placebo (OR: 1·655: 95% CI: 1·029-2·661), nsNSAIDs (OR: 2·155, 95% CI: 1·146-4·053), and COXIBs (OR: 1·800, 95% CI: 1·217-2·662)], but was decreased by celecoxib and naproxen in the COXIB comparison [(OR: 0·583, 95% CI: 0·396-0·857) and (OR: 0·609, 95% CI: 0·375-0·989, respectively]. Incidence of stroke was increased by rofecoxib in comparisons with all NSAIDs and other COXIBs [(OR: 1·488, 95% CI: 1·027-2·155) and (OR: 1·933, 95% CI: 1·052-3·549), respectively]. Incidence of stroke was decreased by celecoxib when compared with all NSAIDs, nsNSAIDs, and COXIBs [(OR: 0·603, 95% CI: 0·410-0·887), (OR: 0·517, 95% CI: 0·287-0·929), and (OR: 0·509, 95% CI: 0·280-0·925), respectively]. No NSAID reached statistical significance in regard to CV death. Incidence of the composite endpoint was increased by rofecoxib when compared against all NSAIDs, placebo, and other COXIBs [(OR: 1·612, 95% CI: 1·313-1·981), (OR: 1·572, 95% CI: 1·123-2·201) and (OR: 1·838, 95% CI: 1·323-2·554), respectively]. Incidence of composite endpoint was decreased by celecoxib in the all NSAIDs and COXIBs comparisons [(OR: 0·805, 95% CI: 0·658-0·986) and (OR: 0·557, 95% CI: 0.404-0.767), respectively]. When rofecoxib was removed from the COXIBs group, no difference was found with any comparison, suggesting rofecoxib skewed the data., What Is New and Conclusion: This instead of the meta-analysis suggests that COX-2 selectivity may not play a role in the CV risk of NSAIDs. Rofecoxib was the only drug to demonstrate harm and skewed the data of the COX-2 selective group., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Women considering risk reduction surgery after a diagnosis of breast/ovarian cancer and/or inherited cancer gene mutation face difficult decisions. The safety of combined breast and gynecologic surgery has not been well studied; therefore, we evaluated the outcomes for patients who have undergone coordinated multispecialty surgery., Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients undergoing simultaneous breast and gynecologic surgery for newly or previously diagnosed breast cancer and/or an inherited cancer gene mutation during the same anesthetic at a single institution from 1999 to 2013., Results: Seventy-three patients with a mean age of 50 years (range 27-88) were identified. Most patients had newly diagnosed breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (62 %) and 28 patients (38 %) had an identified BRCA mutation. Almost all gynecologic procedures were for risk reduction or benign gynecologic conditions (97 %). Mastectomy was performed in 39 patients (53 %), the majority of whom (79 %) underwent immediate reconstruction. The most common gynecologic procedure involved bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which was performed alone in 18 patients (25 %) and combined with hysterectomy in 40 patients (55 %). A total of 32 patients (44 %) developed postoperative complications, most of which were minor and did not require surgical intervention or hospitalization. Two of the 19 patients who underwent implant reconstruction (11 %; 3 % of the entire cohort) had major infectious complications requiring explantation., Conclusion: Combined breast and gynecologic procedures for a breast cancer diagnosis and/or risk reduction in patients can be accomplished with acceptable morbidity. Concurrent operations, including reconstruction, can be offered to patients without negatively impacting their outcome.

Serous borderline tumor (SBT) involving a cervical lymph node is extremely rare. In addition, fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of the involved cervical lymph node shares tremendous morphologic similarity with other low-grade papillary carcinomas. Thus, it can be easily misdiagnosed as metastatic carcinoma. A 42-year-old female had a history of bilateral SBT and postbilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. She presented with left cervical lymphadenopathy 6 months later. FNA cytology showed a low-grade papillary neoplasm with psammoma bodies. Needle core biopsy along with immunostains was diagnostic of cervical lymph node involvement (LNI) of SBT. although extremely rare, cervical LNI can be found in patients with SBTs. FNA cytology, sometimes, is indistinguishable from metastatic papillary adenocarcinoma. Cell block or needle core biopsy is essential to make the correct diagnosis.

Background: Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis, are faced with oppressive symptom profiles that compromise daily functioning and quality of life. Among these symptoms, sexuality-related symptoms have emerged as particularly prominent and largely unaddressed. In the current study, the authors evaluated how sexuality symptoms from MPN relate to other patient characteristics, disease features, treatments, and symptoms., Methods: A total of 1971 patients with MPN (827 with essential thrombocythemia, 682 with polycythemia vera, 456 with myelofibrosis, and 6 classified as other) were prospectively evaluated and patient responses to the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form (MPN-SAF) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ C30) were collected, along with information regarding individual disease characteristics and laboratory data. Sexuality scores were compared with an age-matched, healthy control population., Results: Overall, patients with MPN were found to have greater sexual dysfunction compared with the healthy population (MPN-SAF score of 3.6 vs 2.0; P<.001), with 64% of patients with MPN describing some degree of sexual dysfunction and 43% experiencing severe symptoms. The presence of sexual symptoms correlated closely with all domains of patient functionality (physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and role functioning) and were associated with a reduced quality of life. Sexual problems also were found to be associated with other MPN symptoms, particularly depression and nocturnal and microvascular-related symptoms. Sexual dysfunction was more severe in patients aged >65 years and in those with cytopenias and transfusion requirements, and those receiving certain therapies such as immunomodulators or steroids., Conclusions: The results of the current study identify the topic of sexuality as a prominent issue for the MPN population, and this area would appear to benefit from additional investigation and management. Cancer 2016;122:1888-96. © 2016 American Cancer Society., (© 2016 American Cancer Society.)

This paper introduces a new, model-based design method for interactive health information technology (IT) systems. This method extends workflow models with models of conceptual work products. When the health care work being modeled is substantially cognitive, tacit, and complex in nature, graphical workflow models can become too complex to be useful to designers. Conceptual models complement and simplify workflows by providing an explicit specification for the information product they must produce. We illustrate how conceptual work products can be modeled using standard software modeling language, which allows them to provide fundamental requirements for what the workflow must accomplish and the information that a new system should provide. Developers can use these specifications to envision how health IT could enable an effective cognitive strategy as a workflow with precise information requirements. We illustrate the new method with a study conducted in an outpatient multiple sclerosis (MS) clinic. This study shows specifically how the different phases of the method can be carried out, how the method allows for iteration across phases, and how the method generated a health IT design for case management of MS that is efficient and easy to use., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rigorous methods for design and verification of health IT systems have lagged far behind their proliferation. The inherent technical complexity of healthcare, combined with the added complexity of health information technology makes their resulting behavior unpredictable and introduces serious risk. We propose to mitigate this risk by formalizing the relationship between HIT and the conceptual work that increasingly typifies modern care. We introduce new techniques for modeling clinical workflows and the conceptual products within them that allow established, powerful modeling checking technology to be applied to interactive health IT systems. The new capability can evaluate the workflows of a new HIT system performed by clinicians and computers to improve safety and reliability. We demonstrate the method on a patient contact system to demonstrate model checking is effective for interactive systems and that much of it can be automated.

Although health information technologies frequently serve as critical workflow components, we currently lack validated methods for identifying how heath informatics can support workflow redesign and for evaluating redesign results. In this study, we describe how a previously developed business process redesign framework was adapted for health informatics-enabled workflow redesign and evaluation. We then demonstrate our methods using an emergency medicine case study.

Introduction: Clopidogrel (Plavix(®)) may influence patient safety during fracture surgery. Our study examines the incidence of complications for patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty on clopidogrel therapy., Materials and Methods: All patients, who underwent hemiarthroplasty between 2005 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were placed in two comparative groups based on the use of clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy. Records were reviewed for patient demographics, ASA score, pre and postoperative hemoglobin, time to surgery, length of stay, bleeding events, transfusions and complications. Comparative statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test and Student's t test, using P < 0.05 to identify statistical significance., Results: A total of 203 charts were reviewed, of which 162 patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria. One hundred and twelve females and 50 males with mean age of 84 years were identified. The clopidogrel group consisted of 15 (9.3 %) patients and the nonclopidogrel group 147 (90.7 %). The clopidogrel group had more comorbidities resulting in a significantly higher ASA score (3.9 vs. 2.9), and lower preoperative hemoglobin (11.3 vs. 12.0). There was no significant difference identified in time to surgery, intraoperative blood loss, hemoglobin on days 1-3, or number of transfusions received between groups. Patients on clopidogrel were seen to have significantly longer hospital stays (10.6 vs. 7.4 days). However, a similar rate of wound and bleeding related complications (6.7 vs. 6.1 %) was seen., Conclusions: The optimal treatment for hip fracture patients on antiplatelet therapy is unclear. However, in this study there appears to be no significant difference with regards to bleeding and bleeding related wound complications, suggesting it is safe to proceed with hemiarthroplasty for patients receiving clopidogrel.

Purpose: Ovarian cancer has a high recurrence and mortality rate. A barrier to improved outcomes includes a lack of accurate models for preclinical testing of novel therapeutics., Experimental Design: Clinically relevant, patient-derived tumorgraft models were generated from sequential patients and the first 168 engrafted models are described. Fresh ovarian, primary peritoneal, and fallopian tube carcinomas were collected at the time of debulking surgery and injected intraperitoneally into severe combined immunodeficient mice., Results: Tumorgrafts demonstrated a 74% engraftment rate with microscopic fidelity of primary tumor characteristics. Low-passage tumorgrafts also showed comparable genomic aberrations with the corresponding primary tumor and exhibit gene set enrichment of multiple ovarian cancer molecular subtypes, similar to patient tumors. Importantly, each of these tumorgraft models is annotated with clinical data and for those that have been tested, response to platinum chemotherapy correlates with the source patient., Conclusions: Presented herein is the largest known living tumor bank of patient-derived, ovarian tumorgraft models that can be applied to the development of personalized cancer treatment., (©2014 AACR)

Objective: To compare muscular fatigue and postural stability of surgeons before and after laparoscopic and robotic surgery., Subjects and Methods: The design of this study is Class II. A consecutive cohort of patients presenting at an academic tertiary-care center for scheduled gynecologic surgery was used. Routine surgical care was examined with testing of surgeon fatigue and postural measures before and after the procedure. Motor fatigue was measured using a quantitative grip dynamometer, and postural stability was measured using a nondominant, single-leg stance. A subjective fatigue score was recorded following surgery., Results: Primary surgeons completed testing before and after 56 surgeries. A trend toward decline in postural stability was observed more in the laparoscopy group than in the robotic group (P=.29). The fatigue index and subjective fatigue scores were not significantly different., Conclusions: Similar changes in postural stability and muscular strength were observed following laparoscopic and robotic surgery. The optimal measurement tool to capture surgical fatigue remains elusive. Fatigue differences may have been more pronounced if surgical procedure degree of difficulty had been more consistent between groups.

Purpose: Interactions between ticagrelor and atorvastatin or simvastatin were investigated in two-way crossover studies., Methods: Both studies were open-label for statin; the atorvastatin study was placebo-controlled for ticagrelor. For atorvastatin, volunteers (n = 24) received ticagrelor (loading dose 270 mg; 90 mg twice daily, 7 days) or placebo, plus atorvastatin calcium (80 mg; day 5). For simvastatin, volunteers (n = 24) received simvastatin 80 mg, or ticagrelor (loading dose 270 mg; 180 mg twice daily, 7 days) plus simvastatin (80 mg; day 5). In each study, volunteers received the alternate treatment after washout (≥ 7 days)., Results: Ticagrelor increased mean atorvastatin maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC) by 23 % and 36 %, respectively. Simvastatin C(max) and AUC were increased by 81 % and 56 % with ticagrelor. Ticagrelor also increased C(max) and AUC of analysed atorvastatin metabolites by 13-55 % and 32-67 %, respectively, and simvastatin acid by 64 % and 52 %, respectively. Co-administration of ticagrelor with each statin was well tolerated., Conclusions: Exposure to ticagrelor and its active metabolite, AR-C124910XX, was generally unchanged by a single dose of either statin, except for a minor increase in ticagrelor C(max) in the presence of simvastatin. Effects of ticagrelor on atorvastatin pharmacokinetics were modest and unlikely clinically relevant, while with simvastatin, changes were slightly larger, and simvastatin doses >40 mg with ticagrelor should be avoided.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of replacing a paper-based protocol with a computer-guided glucose management system (CGMS) for the treatment of postoperative hyperglycemia in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU)., Methods: With use of a before-and-after analysis, adult patients (≥18 years) discharged from the CVICU and treated with the paper protocol were compared with patients discharged from the CVICU and treated with the CGMS. Of the 1,648 patients analyzed, 991 were in the CGMS group. Clinical end points were evaluated by using the Wilcoxon test. Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for each hypoglycemic end point were calculated from Cox models with use of the proportional hazards regression procedure, and clinical end points were adjusted for potential confounders., Results: Patients treated with the paper protocol were 6 times as likely to experience clinical hypoglycemia (blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL) as patients treated with the CGMS (adjusted HR = 6.06; P<.0001) and more than 7 times as likely to experience severe hypoglycemia (blood glucose ≤40 mg/dL) (adjusted HR = 7.59; P=.01). Despite the increased risk of hypoglycemia, no significant difference in length of stay or mortality was observed between the groups., Conclusion: CGMS treatment of postoperative hyperglycemia in CVICU patients can successfully attain goal glucose levels with a significant reduction in hypoglycemia in comparison with a paper protocol. This association persists after controlling for covariates.

Nurse leaders must use ethical decision-making skills when patients can't decide for themselves.

The aim of this study was to establish methodology for a survey of the iodine and selenium status of New Zealand residents, more specifically to investigate the correlation between fasting or random casual urine samples and 24 hour urines for iodine and selenium excretion. Sixty-two (31 M, 31 F) adults collected casual, fasting and 24 hour urine samples for analysis of iodide, selenium and creatinine. Plasma and serum samples were collected for analysis of selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity. Results indicated that fasting urine samples, but not casual urines, may give a reasonable estimate of urinary output of iodine and selenium on a population basis, but that 24 hour urines are necessary for diagnosis of iodine deficiency in an individual and for research purposes. The results for iodine also give no support for expressing iodine as the iodide-creatinine ratio, although there was some indication that the selenium-creatinine ratio might be useful. Significant correlations between total daily excretion of selenium and iodine and also for urinary concentrations of the two trace elements in fasting and in 24 hour urine specimens may reflect a relationship of selenium and iodine to body size which may have implications for dietary requirements of these trace elements. Alternatively the correlations may reflect a relationship between dietary intake of the two trace elements in a country in which food concentrations are low, and this needs further investigation.

An account of the establishment of a Problem Based Learning (PBL) curriculum at the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex Republic of Trinidad and Tobago provides the forum for a critical analysis of this process and for dialogue with current relevant literature on similar attempts elsewhere. Initial resistance to change and the assessment of the new system is discussed in the light of the fact that this is the first Caribbean territory to adopt Problem Based Learning as the major instrument to be employed in tertiary level medical education. The analysis uncovers a model of practitioner/researcher which provides a useful conceptual and operational framework for the articulation of the role of those engaged in effecting and studying the management of change.