Validation of risk prediction models for sentinel lymph node metastasis in melanoma in a high UV index region.

Background: Risk prediction models may refine individualized selection for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in melanoma.

Objective: To evaluate the statistical accuracy and clinical utility of nomograms by the Melanoma Institute of Australia (MIA), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), and University of Colorado in a Southern Arizona population.

Methods: In this prognostic validation, statistical accuracy was assessed through discrimination, measured with receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration plots.

The Clinical and Economic Value of Follow-on Biologics: Biosimilars, Biobetters, and Bioparallels.

The advent of biosimilars into the market of biologic treatments less than 20 years ago in Europe and about 10 years ago in the United States heralded a period of rapid and profound changes in biological therapies. While biosimilars where the first disruptors to the biologics market and some lingering concerns have been addressed, they have since been joined by biobetters and bioparallels in a powerful aggregate of follow-on biologics (FOB) competing with originators biologics. Biobetters are drugs derived from existing biological agents, either by design or by coincidence, with improved pharmacological properties or outcomes.

Budget impact analysis of revumenib for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute leukemias with a translocation in the United States.

Background: Acute leukemias (ALs), including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), are heterogeneous diseases characterized by different phenotypic, genetic, and molecular alterations that can guide treatment decisions. ALs harboring lysine methyltransferase 2A gene translocation (), previously known as mixed-lineage leukemia, are associated with high rates of relapsed or refractory (R/R) disease. Revumenib, a first-in-class oral menin inhibitor, has shown improved clinical outcomes in patients with R/R ALs.

Infectious complications associated with immune and targeted anti-cancer therapies: a retrospective study of the FDA adverse events reporting system (FAERS).

Background: Immune and targeted anti-cancer therapies are associated with an increased risk of infectious complications. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the infectious complications associated with immune and targeted anti-cancer drugs.

Research Design And Methods: This was a retrospective study for immune and targeted anti-cancer drugs submitted to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 1996 to 20 March 2024.

Manuka combinations with nigella sativa and hydroxyurea in treating iron overload of pediatric β-thalassemia major, randomized clinical trial.

Background: β-thalassemia major is microcytic hypochromic anemia disorder inherited from parents, resulting from a mutation in the β-globin locus. As a result, a quantitative defective hemoglobin synthesis and relative excess in α-globin is occurred. As such, frequent blood transfusion is required, that leads to iron overload.

On-body injector pegfilgrastim for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia prophylaxis: Current Status.

Introduction: Myelosuppression, a challenge in cancer treatment, often results in severe complications. Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, particularly pegfilgrastim, mitigate chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. This narrative review evaluates the role of on-body injector (OBI) devices for pegfilgrastim administration.

Polytomous Rasch Analyses of Surgeons' Decision-Making on Choice of Procedure in Endoscopic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Decompression Surgeries.

Background: With the growing prevalence of lumbar spinal stenosis, endoscopic surgery, which incorporates techniques such as transforaminal, interlaminar, and unilateral biportal (UBE) endoscopy, is increasingly considered. However, the patient selection criteria are debated among spine surgeons.

Objective: This study used a polytomous Rasch analysis to evaluate the factors influencing surgeon decision-making in selecting patients for endoscopic surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Disability-adjusted life years from bone and joint infections associated with antimicrobial resistance: an insight from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study.

Purpose: Bone and joint infections, complicated by the burgeoning challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pose significant public health threats by amplifying the disease burden globally. We leveraged results from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) to explore the impact of AMR attributed to bone and joint infections in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), elucidating the contemporary status and temporal trends.

Methods: Utilizing GBD 2019 data, we summarized the burden of bone and joint infections attributed to AMR across 195 countries and territories in the 30 years from 1990 to 2019.

A Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator-Derived Predictive Model for Postoperative Respiratory Failure in a Heterogeneous Adult Elective Surgery Patient Population.

Background: Postoperative respiratory failure (PRF) is associated with increased hospital charges and worse patient outcomes. Reliable prediction models can help to guide postoperative planning to optimize care, to guide resource allocation, and to foster shared decision-making with patients.

Research Question: Can a predictive model be developed to accurately identify patients at high risk of PRF?

Study Design And Methods: In this single-site proof-of-concept study, we used structured query language to extract, transform, and load electronic health record data from 23,999 consecutive adult patients admitted for elective surgery (2014-2021).

Optimizing Postpartum Care in Rural Communities: Insights from Women in Arizona and Implications for Policy.

Objectives: Optimal postpartum care promotes healthcare utilization and outcomes. This qualitative study investigated the experiences and perceived needs for postpartum care among women in rural communities in Arizona, United States.

Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with thirty childbearing women and analyzed the transcripts using reflexive thematic analysis to gauge their experiences, needs, and factors affecting postpartum healthcare utilization.

The economic burden of Ebola virus disease: a review and recommendations for analysis.

Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) continues to be a major public health threat globally, particularly in the low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) of Africa. The social and economic burdens of EVD are substantial and have triggered extensive research into prevention and control. We aim to highlight the impact and economic implications, identify research gaps, and offer recommendations for future economic studies pertaining to EVD.

Extended Medicaid coverage will improve access but insufficient to enhance postpartum care utilization: a secondary analysis of the 2016-2019 Arizona Medicaid claims.

Introduction: Postpartum Medicaid eligibility extensions may increase access to healthcare for low-income women. However, its implications for healthcare utilization are unknown.

Methods: We analyzed the linked-infant birth certificate and claims data of women whose childbirths were paid for by Medicaid between 2016 and 2019 in Arizona, United States.

Network meta-analysis of second line and beyond treatment options in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Deciding on the optimal second-line (2L) treatment for metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains challenging due to the limited information comparing each of the available options and the influence of the newly expanding first-line (1L) agents.

Patients And Methods: We identified phase II/III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating 2L treatments in metastatic ccRCC. This Network Meta-analysis (NMA) evaluates the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and severe adverse events (SAE).