Geographic Barriers Affect Follow‐Up Care in Head and Neck Cancer

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Geographic Barriers Affect Follow‐Up Care in Head and Neck Cancer Via The Laryngoscope Objectives/Hypothesis Follow-up care in head and neck cancers (HNC) is critical in managing patient health. However, social determinants of health (SDOH) can create difficulties in maintaining follow-up care. The study goal is to explore how SDOH impacts maintenance of HNC follow-up care appointments. Methods A systematic retrospective chart review of 877 HNC patients diagnosed in the past 10 years a safety-net tertiary care hospital with systems to help reduce care disparities. Cohort groups were identified and compared against protocols for follow-up. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, two-sample t-tests, and simple linear regression. Results The average length of follow-up time in months and average total number of follow-ups over 5 years were 32.96 (34.60) and 9.24 (7.87), respectively. There was no significant difference in follow-up care between United States (US) versus non-US born and English versus non-English speaking patients. Race/ethnicity, county median household income, insurance status, and county educational attainment were not associated with differences in follow-up. However, living a greater distance from the hospital was associated with lower follow-up length and less frequency in follow-up (P < .0001). Conclusion While income, primary language, country of birth, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and markers of educational attainment do not appear to impact HNC follow-up at our safety-net, tertiary care institution, and distance from hospital remains an important contributor to disparities in care. This study shows that many barriers to care can be addressed in a model that addresses SDOH, but there are barriers that still require additional systems and resources. Laryngoscope, 2021 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

XB130 Deficiency Causes Congenital Hypothyroidism in Mice due to Disorganized Apical Membrane Structure and Function of Thyrocytes

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader XB130 Deficiency Causes Congenital Hypothyroidism in Mice due to Disorganized Apical Membrane Structure and Function of Thyrocytes Via liebertpub1 Thyroid, Volume 31, Issue 11, Page 1650-1661, November 2021. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

MicroRNA profiling of psoriatic skin identifies 11 miRNAs associated with disease severity

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader MicroRNA profiling of psoriatic skin identifies 11 miRNAs associated with disease severity Via Experimental Dermatology Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that have emerged as central regulators of gene expression and powerful biomarkers of disease. Much is yet unknown about their role in psoriasis pathology. To globally characterize the miRNAome of psoriatic skin, skin biopsies were collected from psoriatic cases (n = 75) and non-psoriatic controls (n = 46) and RNA sequenced. Count data was meta-analyzed with a previously published dataset (cases, n = 24, controls, n = 20), increasing the number of psoriatic cases four-fold from previously published studies. Differential gene expression analyses were performed comparing lesional psoriatic (PP), non-lesional psoriatic (PN) and control (NN) skin. Further, functional enrichment and cell-specific analyses were performed. Across all contrasts, we identified 439 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), of which 85 were novel for psoriasis and 11 were related to disease severity. Meta-analyses identified 20 DEMs between PN and NN, suggesting an inherent change in the constitution of all skin in psoriasis. By integrating the miRNA transcriptome with mRNA target interactions, we identified several functionally enriched terms, including 'thyroid hormone signaling', 'insulin resistance' and various infectious diseases. Cell-specific expression analyses revealed that the upregulated DEMs were enriched in epithelial and immune cells. This study provides the most comprehensive overview of the miRNAome in psoriatic skin to date and identifies a miRNA signature related to psoriasis severity. Our results may represent molecular links between psoriasis and related comorbidities and have outlined potential directions for future functional studies to identify biomarkers and treatment targets. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

IFN‐γ‐induced PD‐L1 expression on human melanocytes is impaired in vitiligo

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader IFN‐γ‐induced PD‐L1 expression on human melanocytes is impaired in vitiligo Via Experimental Dermatology ABSTRACT Mounting evidence shows that the PD-1/PD-L1 axis is involved in tumor immune evasion. This is demonstrated by anti-PD-1 antibodies that can reverse tumor-associated PD-L1 to functionally suppress anti-tumor T cell responses. Since type I and II interferons are key regulators of PD-L1 expression in melanoma cells and IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells and IFN-α-producing dendritic cells are abundant in vitiligo skin, we aimed to study the role of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in melanocyte destruction in vitiligo. Moreover, impaired PD-1/PD-L1 function is observed in a variety of autoimmune diseases. It is therefore hypothesized that manipulating PD-1/PD-L1 signaling might have therapeutic potential in vitiligo. PD-1+ T cells were abundantly present in situ in perilesional vitiligo skin, but expression of PD-L1 was limited and confined exclusively to dermal T cells. More specifically, neither melanocytes nor other epidermal skin cells expressed PD-L1. Exposure to IFN-γ, but also type I interferons, increased PD-L1 expression in primary melanocytes and fibroblasts, derived from healthy donors. Primary human keratinocytes only showed increased PD-L1 expression upon stimulation with IFN-γ. Most interestingly, melanocytes derived from non-lesional vitiligo skin showed no PD-L1 upregulation upon IFN-γ exposure, while other skin cells displayed significant PD-L1 expression after exposure. In a vitiligo skin explant model, incubation of non-lesional vitiligo skin with activated (IFN-γ-producing) T cells from vitiligo lesions was previously described to induce melanocyte apoptosis. Although PD-L1 expression was induced in epidermal cells in these explants, this induction was completely absent in melanocytes. The lack of PD-L1 upregulation by melanocytes in the presence of IFN-γ-producing T cells shows that melanocytes lack protection against T cell attack during vitiligo pathogenesis. Manipulating PD-1/PD-L1 signaling may therefore be a therapeutic option for vitiligo patients. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Tobacco and alcohol consumption in women treated for breast cancer in a department of surgical oncology: Frequent behaviours to consider

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Tobacco and alcohol consumption in women treated for breast cancer in a department of surgical oncology: Frequent behaviours to consider Via Association française pour l'étude du cancer Bull Cancer. 2021 Oct 28:S0007-4551(21)00364-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.07.005. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Tobacco and alcohol represent the two most important risk factors increasing cancer incidence and mortality, particularly among women with breast cancer. However, few researches have focused on the consumption of psychoactive substances in women treated for breast cancer. The present study describes the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol consumption and their relationships with the sociodemographic, medical and psychological variables in a population of women receiving surgery treatment for breast cancer. METHODS: Between October 2014 and August 2015, a group of women receiving breast cancer treatment were recruited to participate to a screening and brief intervention program (SBI) for the consumption of tobacco and alcohol, adapted to the oncology context. Data on tobacco and alcohol consumption were co llected using two questionnaires : the smoking status identification (NIDA) and alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C). A questionnaire for socio- demographic data and two for psychological data (Thermometer of psychological distress; ESAS), have been used. The medical data were reported by participants and verified on medical records. RESULTS: In a total of 11 months, 120 women with breast cancer were included in this study. A large majority of patients were hospitalized for a first-time cancer (80.8%), type invasive ductal carcinoma (70.8%) and were receiving surgery as primary treatment (45%). Furthermore, 30.8% of the women reported tobacco consumption and 38.4% high-risk alcohol consumption. Regarding mental health, 40.8% presented moderate to intense levels of psychological distress. No significant relationships were found between consumption scores and sociodemographic, medical or psychological characteristics. Only the patient's age was negatively associated with tobacco consum ption. DISCUSSION: Tobacco and at-risk alcohol consumption are frequently reported behaviors during breast cancer treatment. Intervention strategies targeting risk behaviors related to addictive consumption should be implemented during the full treatment of breast cancer patients. PMID:34756596 | DOI:10.1016/j.bulcan.2021.07.005 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Bone Conduction

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Bone Conduction Via Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America Bone conduction devices (BCDs) are a well-established and effective treatment solution for children with conductive and mixed hearing loss. Evidence indicates that early intervention through BCDs can improve hearing, speech, and language, and developmental outcomes. BCDs overcome several limitations associated with traditional hearing aids, and in many cases offer children an alternative to more invasive surgical management. Despite these benefits, children with conductive hearing loss are often subject to delays in intervention. In addition, interventional challenges and technological limitations of BCDs prevent widespread adoption and acceptance, particularly in early childhood. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Continuing to establish the relationship between anatomical location of cutaneous head and neck melanoma primaries and locoregional sites of metastasis: A consideration of a new anatomical site, drainage to multiple and non-adjacent neck levels, and the impact on the selectivity of neck dissection

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Continuing to establish the relationship between anatomical location of cutaneous head and neck melanoma primaries and locoregional sites of metastasis: A consideration of a new anatomical site, drainage to multiple and non-adjacent neck levels, and the impact on the selectivity of neck dissection Via Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Oct 7:S1748-6815(21)00460-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.09.022. Online ahead of print. NO ABSTRACT PMID:34756553 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.09.022 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.