Biology is Queen: The Oncotype DX 21-Gene Recurrence Score Has Stronger Prognostic Ability than Lymph Node Burden for Patients with Breast Cancer.

Background: Breast cancer treatment is increasingly based on biologic instead of anatomic factors; however, some decisions still rely on anatomic information obtained at axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), such as chemotherapy administration. The goal of this study was to determine if the Oncotype DX 21-gene recurrence score (RS) or the number of positive lymph nodes (+LNs) were stronger predictors of overall survival (OS), to potentially support ALND omission.

Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients aged ≥18 years with non-metastatic, hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer with available RS treated with upfront surgery from 2018 to 2019.

Better State Support for Family Caregivers Linked to Lower Hospitalization Rates Among Older Adults Living With Dementia.

This study examined whether better state LTSS performance in caregiver support (LTSS-CG), independent of LTSS spending, is associated with lower hospitalizations among community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Using Health and Retirement Study data (2012-2020) linked to the LTSS-CG state rankings, we analyzed hospitalization outcomes (any hospitalization, total hospital nights, total stays) for 6,755 participants. Multivariable regression models showed that worse LTSS-CG rankings were significantly associated with increased hospitalizations.

Impact of Industry Collaboration on US Food and Drug Administration Approval Success in Genitourinary Malignancy Phase III Clinical Trials.

Purpose: Collaboration among trial sponsors can pool expertise and resources, potentially accelerating drug development and regulatory success. This study assessed whether collaborations between drug sponsors influence the likelihood and timing of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for phase III clinical trials in genitourinary cancers.

Methods: We queried ClinicalTrials.

The impact of pelvic radiotherapy on hematological toxicities in pediatric genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma.

Objectives: Hematological toxicities are a common sequelae of radiation therapy (RT), and pelvic RT is of particular concern as the pelvic marrow contributes nearly 50% of total body hematopoiesis. We evaluated the impact of pelvic RT on hematological toxicities in pediatric patients with pelvic genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma (GU-RMS).

Methods: A secondary evaluation of 448 pediatric patients (53.

Has Increased Medicaid Spending on Home- and Community-Based Services Reduced Unmet Needs in Activities of Daily Living Care among Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Dementia? Evidence from 2008 to 2020.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the potential impact of Medicaid total long-term services and supports (LTSS) expenditures and the proportion allocated to home- and community-based services (HCBS) on unmet needs among community-dwelling older adults with dementia.

Design: This is a retrospective study using nationally representative, longitudinal data and quasi-experimental approach.

Setting And Participants: A total of 2722 respondent-waves of community-dwelling older adults who participated in at least 1 of the 7 waves of Health and Retirement Study interviews between 2008 and 2020 and were identified as having dementia.

Rising representation: Trends in female urology residency and fellowship matches over the past decade.

Objectives: To study gender trends among American Urological Association-matched residency and fellowship applicants over the past decade.

Methods: Match statistics for residency and fellowship subspecialties from 2014 to 2024 were analyzed by gender. Trends in proportion of matched slots occupied by female applicants in residency and fellowship were analyzed.

Association of Cognitive Impairments and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias With Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility Utilization Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

This observational cohort study examined the association between Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) utilization among community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and older. Using four waves of longitudinal survey data from the 2016-2022 Health and Retirement Study conducted by the University of Michigan and multivariate, individual-level regressions, we found that the cognitive impairment but no dementia (CIND) and ADRD groups exhibited similar patterns in hospitalizations, hospital visits, and total hospital days compared to the normal cognition group. However, CIND was significantly associated with increased odds of SNF stays (odds ratio [OR], 1.

Skilled Nursing Facility Utilization Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To assess the association between skilled nursing facility (SNF) utilization and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: An observational cohort study.

Setting And Participants: The study included community-dwelling respondents aged 65 or older.

The Role of Secondary Lesion Biopsy in Detecting Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer.

Background: Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and fusion-targeted biopsy (TB) have improved the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa); however, it remains unclear whether secondary lesions (SLs) identified on mpMRI must also be biopsied in addition to the index lesion (IL). Currently, American Urological Association and European Association of Urology guidelines suggest biopsying all lesions, but supporting data are sparse. This study examines whether including SL biopsies provides additional value in csPCa detection compared to IL biopsy alone when systematic biopsy (SB) is also performed.

High-accuracy crRNA array assembly strategy for multiplex CRISPR.

Simultaneous targeting of multiple loci with the CRISPR system, a tool known as multiplex CRISPR, offers greater feasibility for manipulating and elucidating the intricate and redundant endogenous networks underlying complex cellular functions. Owing to the versatility of continuously emerging Cas nucleases and the use of CRISPR arrays, multiplex CRISPR has been implemented in numerous and studies. However, a streamlined, practical strategy for CRISPR array assembly that is both convenient and accurate is lacking.

Analysis of Genitourinary Rhabdomyosarcoma in Phase 3 clinical trials.

Purpose: Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a morbid and often lethal condition characterized by a paucity of clinical data. Beyond a detailed risk categorization system, it is unclear if genitourinary (GU) sites (bladder/prostate, paratesticular, female organs) have outcomes distinct from non-GU sites. This study pools primary data from phase-3 clinical trials involving pediatric RMS to evaluate this question.

Use of Placebo in Urologic Oncology Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: Use of placebo in oncology randomized controlled trials (RCT) is ethically controversial. Placebo may introduce bias, as toxicity profiles of treatment arms can inadvertently unblind subjects and investigators. We investigated the use of placebo in urologic oncology RCTs, hypothesizing that most placebo-controlled trials are effectively unblinded, either explicitly with open-label design or implicitly due to large differences in adverse events (AE) or oncologic outcomes.

Medication Management Difficulty, Medication Nonadherence, and Risk of Hospitalization Among Cognitively Impaired Older Americans: A Nationally Representative Study.

Effective disease management in older adults relies on medication adherence to prevent adverse outcomes like hospitalization, particularly among those with cognitive impairment. In this study, we examined the impact of cognitive impairment on medication management, adherence, and hospitalization risk across levels of cognitive function. Analyzing data from 28,558 community-dwelling older adults, we found that those with dementia had the most difficulty managing medications (13.

Association between serum copper and blood glucose: a mediation analysis of inflammation indicators in the NHANES (2011-2016).

Background: The rising prevalence of diabetes underscores the need for identifying effective prevention strategies. Recent research suggests environmental factors, particularly heavy metals like copper, significantly influence health outcomes, including diabetes, through mechanisms involving inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aims to explore how serum copper levels affect blood glucose, employing NHANES data from 2011 to 2016, to provide insights into environmental health's role in diabetes prevention and management.

Amorphous ZnSnO Hollow Spheres Enable Highly Efficient CO Reduction.

Carbon dioxide (CO) adsorption and electron transport play an important role in CO reduction reaction (CORR). Herein, we have demonstrated a new class of diverse hollow ZnSnO (ZSO) through the amorphization of hydroxides to enhance CO adsorption and accelerate electron transport. The amorphization is occurred by calcination process, as indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectra.

Higher levels of state funding for Home- and Community-Based Services linked to better state performances in Long-Term Services and Supports.

Objective: To examine the relationship between the level of state funding for Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and state overall and dimension-specific performances in Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS).

Data Sources And Study Setting: We employed state-level secondary data from the Medicaid LTSS Annual Expenditures Reports, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) State Scorecards, the U.S.

Exploring the Relationship between Anemia and Postpartum Depression: Evidence from Malawi.

Purpose: Study findings suggest association between anemia and postpartum depression, but available evidence is scant and inconsistent. We investigate whether anemia is related to postpartum depression among women who have recently given birth in Malawi, where anemia prevalence is high.

Methods: We use cross-sectional data from 829 women who were 18-36 years old, married, lived in Lilongwe, Malawi, and gave birth between August 2017 and February 2019.

Racial and ethnic and income disparities in COVID-19 vaccination among Medicare beneficiaries.

Background: Older adults have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the widespread availability and proved effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, the issue of inequity in vaccine uptake in the United States is a potential concern among different populations. This study examined racial and ethnic and income disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rate among Medicare beneficiaries.

Lonely older adults are more likely to delay or avoid medical care during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between loneliness and self-reported delay or avoidance of medical care among community-dwelling older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: Analyses of data from a nationally representative survey administered in June of 2020, in COVID-19 module of the Health and Retirement Study. Bivariate and multivariable analyses determined associations of loneliness with the likelihood of, reasons for, and types of care delay or avoidance.

Pain and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Spectrum in Community-Dwelling Older Americans: A Nationally Representative Study.

Context: Pain is a significant concern among older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Objectives: Examine the association between cognitive impairment across the ADRD spectrum and pain assessment and treatment in community-dwelling older Americans.

Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study included 16,836 community-dwelling participants ≥ 50 years in the 2018 Health and Retirement Study.