"I probably shouldn't go in today": Inequitable access to paid sick leave and its impacts on health behaviors during the emergence of COVID-19 in the Seattle area.

This study examines inequities in access to paid sick leave (PSL) by race/ethnicity, income, and sex and the role of PSL access on leave-taking and care-seeking behaviors among Seattle-area workers in the months leading up to and during the emergence of COVID-19 in the region. Survey responses were collected online and in-person from individuals experiencing acute respiratory illness symptoms between November 2019 and March 2020 as part of a community-based respiratory viral surveillance study. Chi-square tests and log-binomial models were used to assess the association between PSL access and various socioeconomic indicators. A total of 66.6% (n = 2,276) respondents reported access to PSL. Proportionally, access to PSL was highest in respondents identifying as Asian (70.5%), followed by White (68.7%), Latine (58.4%), Multiracial (57.1%), Black (47.1%), and Other (43.1%). Access to PSL increased with household income. Eighty three percent of high-income respondents reported access compared to 52.9% of low-income households. Only 23.3% of the lowest-income households reported access to PSL. Fewer females (65.2%) than males (70.7%) reported access to PSL. Access to PSL is inequitably distributed across income, race/ethnicity, and sex. This study reinforces the vast body of knowledge on how socioeconomic inequalities increase individual and community-level vulnerability to the impacts of infectious disease outbreaks. It also supports the role of labor and economic policy in mitigating (or exacerbating) these impacts. Exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, universal access to PSL, especially for marginalized populations, benefits all.

New developments in the application of artificial intelligence to laryngology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing literature on artificial intelligence technology utilization in laryngology, highlighting recent advances and current barriers to implementation. RECENT FINDINGS: The volume of publications studying applications of artificial intelligence in laryngology has rapidly increased, demonstrating a strong interest in utilizing this technology. Vocal biomarkers for disease screening, deep learning analysis of videolaryngoscopy for lesion identification, and auto-segmentation of videofluoroscopy for detection of aspiration are a few of the new ways in which artificial intelligence is poised to transform clinical care in laryngology. Increasing collaboration is ongoing to establish guidelines and standards for the field to ensure generalizability. SUMMARY: Artificial intelligence tools have the potential to greatly advance laryngology care by creating novel screening methods, improving how data-heavy diagnostics of laryngology are analyzed, and standardizing outcome measures. However, physician and patient trust in artificial intelligence must improve for the technology to be successfully implemented. Additionally, most existing studies lack large and diverse datasets, external validation, and consistent ground-truth references necessary to produce generalizable results. Collaborative, large-scale studies will fuel technological innovation and bring artificial intelligence to the forefront of patient care in laryngology.

Modeling the population health impact of incorporating a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test to existing cancer screening among immunocompromised individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the screening efficiency of an multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test added to standard of care (SoC) screening, compared to SoC screening alone, among immunocompromised individuals, and to estimate the diagnostic workup costs associated with positive screening results. METHODS: We estimated the potential impact of cancer screening among immunocompromised individuals aged 50-79 years within the University of Utah Health system who underwent a stem cell/solid organ transplant or were diagnosed with a primary or secondary immunodeficiency disorder between January 2000 and February 2018. We derived cancer incidence rates from the Huntsman Cancer Institute Tumor Registry, and screening performance of SoC screening and an MCED test from published literature. Outcomes of screening efficiency included the true-positive to false-positive (TP:FP) ratio, diagnostic yield (DY), and cancer detection rate (CDR) for SoC screening alone and an incremental MCED test. Scenario and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Among 4932 immunocompromised individuals aged 50-79 years, we estimated that 2595 tests would be done under SoC screening and assumed that all individuals received an additional MCED test. Adding an MCED test to SoC screening substantially improved screening efficiency (TP:FP = 1:1, DY = 5.15/1000 tests, CDR = 42.0%), compared to SoC screening alone (TP:FP = 1:99, DY = 1.23/1000 tests, CDR = 5.3%), assuming an MCED test with 100% uptake. Our findings were also robust to parameter uncertainty. CONCLUSION: Adding an MCED test to complement existing screening may be a highly efficient strategy to increase the detection of cancers among immunocompromised individuals. These results could help to improve cancer prevention and detection efforts among individuals with multiple cancer risk factors.

Practical Answers to Frequently Asked Questions in Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery for Degenerative Conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical counseling enables shared decision making and optimal outcomes by improving patients' understanding about their pathologies, surgical options, and expected outcomes. Here, we aimed to provide practical answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) from patients undergoing an anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disk replacement (CDR) for the treatment of degenerative conditions. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary one-level or two-level ACDF or CDR for the treatment of degenerative conditions with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included. Data were used to answer 10 FAQs that were generated from author's experience of commonly asked questions in clinic before ACDF or CDR. RESULTS: A total of 395 patients (181 ACDF, 214 CDR) were included. (1, 2, and 3) Will my neck/arm pain and physical function improve? Patients report notable improvement in all patient-reported outcome measures. (4) Is there a chance I will get worse? 13% (ACDF) and 5% (CDR) reported worsening. (5) Will I receive a significant amount of radiation? Patients on average received a 3.7 (ACDF) and 5.5 mGy (CDR) dose during. (6) How long will I stay in the hospital? Most patients get discharged on postoperative day one. (7) What is the likelihood that I will have a complication? 13% (8% minor and 5% major) experienced in-hospital complications (ACDF) and 5% (all minor) did (CDR). (8) Will I need another surgery? 2.2% (ACDF) and 2.3% (CDR) of patients required a revision surgery. (9 & 10) When will I be able to return to work/driving? Most patients return to working (median of 16 [ACDF] and 14 days [CDR]) and driving (median of 16 [ACDF] and 12 days [CDR]). CONCLUSIONS: The answers to the FAQs can assist surgeons in evidence-based patient counseling.

Comparative Diagnostic Utility of SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen and Molecular Testing in a Community Setting.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) have become widely utilized but longitudinal characterization of their community-based performance remains incompletely understood. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study at a large public university in Seattle, WA utilized remote enrollment, online surveys, and self-collected nasal swab specimens to evaluate Ag-RDT performance against real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) in the context of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. Ag-RDT sensitivity and specificity within 1 day of rRT-PCR were evaluated by symptom status throughout the illness episode and Orf1b cycle threshold (Ct). RESULTS: From February to December 2022, 5757 participants reported 17 572 Ag-RDT results and completed 12 674 rRT-PCR tests, of which 995 (7.9%) were rRT-PCR positive. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 53.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49.6%-56.4%) and 98.8% (95% CI, 98.5%-99.0%), respectively. Sensitivity was comparatively higher for Ag-RDTs used 1 day after rRT-PCR (69.0%), 4-7 days after symptom onset (70.1%), and Orf1b Ct ≤20 (82.7%). Serial Ag-RDT sensitivity increased with repeat testing ≥2 (68.5%) and ≥4 (75.8%) days after an initial Ag-RDT-negative result. CONCLUSIONS: Ag-RDT performance varied by clinical characteristics and temporal testing patterns. Our findings support recommendations for serial testing following an initial Ag-RDT-negative result, especially among recently symptomatic persons or those at high risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Sister chromatid cohesion is mediated by individual cohesin complexes.

Eukaryotic genomes are organized by loop extrusion and sister chromatid cohesion, both mediated by the multimeric cohesin protein complex. Understanding how cohesin holds sister DNAs together, and how loss of cohesion causes age-related infertility in females, requires knowledge as to cohesin's stoichiometry in vivo. Using quantitative super-resolution imaging, we identified two discrete populations of chromatin-bound cohesin in postreplicative human cells. Whereas most complexes appear dimeric, cohesin that localized to sites of sister chromatid cohesion and associated with sororin was exclusively monomeric. The monomeric stoichiometry of sororin:cohesin complexes demonstrates that sister chromatid cohesion is conferred by individual cohesin rings, a key prediction of the proposal that cohesion arises from the co-entrapment of sister DNAs.

The Impact of Posterior Intervertebral Osteophytes on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures After L5-S1 Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: (1) To develop a reliable grading system to assess the severity of posterior intervertebral osteophytes and (2) to investigate the impact of posterior intervertebral osteophytes on clinical outcomes after L5-S1 decompression and fusion through anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and minimally-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence regarding the clinical implications of posterior lumbar vertebral body osteophytes for ALIF and MIS-TLIF surgeries and there are no established grading systems that define the severity of these posterior lumbar intervertebral osteophytes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing L5-S1 ALIF or MIS-TLIF was performed. Preoperative and postoperative patient-reported outcome measures of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and leg Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 2-week, 6-week, 12-week, and 6-month follow-up time points were assessed. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for ODI of 14.9 and VAS leg of 2.8 were utilized. Osteophyte grade was based on the ratio of osteophyte length to foraminal width. "High-grade" osteophytes were defined as a maximal osteophyte length >50% of the total foraminal width. RESULTS: A total of 70 consecutive patients (32 ALIF and 38 MIS-TLIF) were included in the study. There were no significant differences between the two cohorts in patient-reported outcome measures or achievement of MCID for Leg VAS or ODI preoperatively or at any follow-ups. On multivariate analysis, neither the surgical approach nor the presence of high-grade foraminal osteophytes was associated with leg VAS or ODI scores at any follow-up time point. In addition, neither the surgical approach nor the presence of high-grade foraminal osteophytes was associated with the achievement of MCID for leg VAS or ODI at 6 months. CONCLUSION: ALIF and MIS-TLIF are both valid options for treating degenerative spine conditions and lumbar radiculopathy, even in the presence of high-grade osteophytes that significantly occupy the intervertebral foramen. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Development of a tool for quantifying need-supportive coaching in technology-mediated exercise classes.

Technology-mediated interventions to promote physical activity are growing in popularity and appear to be effective for supporting continued adherence for some people. Some of this efficacy may be related to the cultivation of motivation that is self-determined (i.e., autonomous), which is posited to arise from the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs: competence, relatedness, and autonomy. We developed an observational coding tool for quantifying the frequency of needs-supportive and needs-indifferent coaching during technology-mediated exercise classes. The Peloton Instructor Needs-Supportive Coaching (PINC) tool shows evidence of reliability (average kappa = .91). We also demonstrated the utility of the PINC for characterizing needs-supportive coaching profiles across 4 different types of classes (Beginner, Power Zone, Groove, and High-Intensity Interval Training) and the construct validity of the PINC with respect to examining the relationship of needs-supportive coaching to intrinsic motivation. The PINC offers a useful tool with which future studies could evaluate whether and how instructor coaching impacts self-determined motivation to exercise within a technology-mediated context.

Improvement in predominant back pain following minimally invasive decompression for spinal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients with predominant back pain (pBP) undergoing minimally invasive decompression surgery compared with patients with nonpredominant back pain (npBP). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presenting complaint: 1) pBP, defined as visual analog scale (VAS) back pain score > VAS leg pain score; and 2) npBP. Changes in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were compared at the early (< 6 months) and late (≥ 6 months) postoperative time points. Outcomes measures were: 1) PROMs (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], VAS back and leg pain scores, 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey Physical Component Score [SF-12 PCS], and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function [PROMIS PF]), and 2) minimal clinically important difference (MCID) achievement rate and time. For the late MCID achievement point, a second analysis was conducted restricting VAS back and leg pain scores only to patients with preoperative scores ≥ 5. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety patients were included (126 with pBP and 264 with npBP). There were no differences in patient demographics and operated levels. There were no differences in preoperative ODI, SF-12 PCS, and PROMIS PF scores. The pBP cohort had a significantly greater preoperative VAS back pain score than the npBP cohort, whereas the npBP cohort had a significantly greater preoperative VAS leg pain score than the pBP cohort. There were no differences in the absolute values or changes in ODI, VAS back pain, SF-12 PCS, and PROMIS PF scores at any time point. There was a significant difference in the early VAS leg pain scores (greater in npBP) that disappeared by the late postoperative time point. There was no difference in the MCID achievement rate in the ODI, SF-12 PCS, or PROMIS PF scores. By the late postoperative time point, 51.2% and 55.3% achieved an MCID on the ODI, 58.1% and 62.7% on the SF-12 PCS, 60% and 67.6% on the PROMIS PF, 81.1% and 73.2% on VAS back pain scores for those with preoperative scores ≥ 5, and 72% and 83.6% on VAS leg pain scores for those with preoperative scores ≥ 5 for the pBP and npBP cohorts, respectively. Additionally, there were no differences in time to MCID achievement for any PROMs. CONCLUSIONS: The pBP and npBP cohorts showed similar improvement in PROMs and MCID achievement rates. This result shows that minimally invasive laminectomy is equally effective for patients presenting with pBP or npBP.

Publicly available information about fertility benefits for trainees at medical schools in the US.

PURPOSE: Infertility affects one in four female physicians, yet current availability of fertility benefits within Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited residency programs in the United States (US) is unknown. Our objective was to examine publicly available fertility benefits information for residents and fellows. METHODS: The top 50 medical schools in the US for research were identified using US News & World Report 2022. In April 2022, we reviewed fertility benefits available to residents and fellows at these medical schools. Websites of their associated graduate medical education (GME) websites were queried for details surrounding fertility benefits. Two investigators collected data from GME and publicly available institutional websites. The primary outcome was fertility coverage and rates are reported as percentages. RESULTS: Within the top 50 medical schools, 66% of institutional websites included publicly available medical benefits, 40% included any mention of fertility benefits, and 32% had no explicit information on fertility or medical benefits. Fertility benefit coverage included infertility diagnostic workup (40%), intrauterine insemination (32%), prescription coverage (12%), and in vitro fertilization (IVF, 30%). No information on coverage for third party reproduction or LGBT family building was available on public websites. Most programs with fertility benefits were in the South (40%) or Midwest (30%). CONCLUSION: To support the reproductive autonomy of physicians in training, it is critical to ensure access to information on fertility care coverage. Given the prevalence of infertility among physicians and the impact of medical training on family planning goals, more programs should offer and publicize coverage for fertility care.

Induction of Senescence by Loss of Gata4 in Cardiac Fibroblasts.

Cardiac fibroblasts are a major source of cardiac fibrosis during heart repair processes in various heart diseases. Although it has been shown that cardiac fibroblasts become senescent in response to heart injury, it is unknown how the senescence of cardiac fibroblasts is regulated in vivo. Gata4, a cardiogenic transcription factor essential for heart development, is also expressed in cardiac fibroblasts. However, it remains elusive about the role of Gata4 in cardiac fibroblasts. To define the role of Gata4 in cardiac fibroblasts, we generated cardiac fibroblast-specific Gata4 knockout mice by cross-breeding Tcf21-MerCreMer mice with Gata4fl/fl mice. Using this mouse model, we could genetically ablate Gata4 in Tcf21 positive cardiac fibroblasts in an inducible manner upon tamoxifen administration. We found that cardiac fibroblast-specific deletion of Gata4 spontaneously induces senescence in cardiac fibroblasts in vivo and in vitro. We also found that Gata4 expression in both cardiomyocytes and non-myocytes significantly decreases in the aged heart. Interestingly, when αMHC-MerCreMer mice were bred with Gata4fl/fl mice to generate cardiomyocyte-specific Gata4 knockout mice, no senescent cells were detected in the hearts. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Gata4 deficiency in cardiac fibroblasts activates a program of cellular senescence, suggesting a novel molecular mechanism of cardiac fibroblast senescence.

Poor muscle health and low preoperative ODI are independent predictors for slower achievement of MCID after minimally invasive decompression.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Although some previous studies have analyzed predictors of nonimprovement, most of these have focused on demographic and clinical variables and have not accounted for radiological predictors. In addition, while several studies have examined the degree of improvement after decompression, there is less data on the rate of improvement. PURPOSE: To identify the risk factors and predictors (both radiological and nonradiological) for slower as well as nonachievement of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) after minimally invasive decompression. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients who underwent minimally invasive decompression for degenerative lumbar spine conditions and had a minimum of 1-year follow up were included. Patients with preoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) <20 were excluded. OUTCOME MEASURE: MCID achievement in ODI (cut off 12.8). METHODS: Patients were stratified into two groups (achieved MCID, did not achieve MCID) at two timepoints (early ≤3 months, late ≥6 months). Nonradiological (age, gender, BMI, comorbidities, anxiety, depression, number of levels operated, preoperative ODI, preoperative back pain) and radiological (MRI - Schizas grading for stenosis, dural sac cross-sectional area, Pfirrmann grading for disc degeneration, psoas cross-sectional area and Goutallier grading, facet cyst/effusion; X-ray - spondylolisthesis, lumbar lordosis, spinopelvic parameters) variables were assessed with comparative analysis to identify risk factors and with multiple regression models to identify predictors for slower achievement of MCID (MCID not achieved by ≤3 months) and nonachievement of MCID (MCID not achieved at ≥6 months). RESULTS: A total of 338 patients were included. At ≤3 months, patients who did not achieve MCID had significantly lower preoperative ODI (40.1 vs 48.1, p<0.001) and worse psoas Goutallier grading (p=.048). At ≥6 months, patients who did not achieve MCID had significantly lower preoperative ODI (38 vs 47.5, p<.001), higher age (68 vs 63 years, p=.007), worse average L1-S1 Pfirrmann grading (3.5 vs 3.2, p=.035), and higher rate of pre-existing spondylolisthesis at the operated level (p=.047). When these and other probable risk factors were put into a regression model, low preoperative ODI (p=.002) and poor Goutallier grading (p=.042) at the early timepoint and low preoperative ODI (p<.001) at the late timepoint came out as independent predictors for MCID nonachievement. CONCLUSION: After minimally invasive decompression, low preoperative ODI and poor muscle health are risk factors and predictors for slower achievement of MCID. For nonachievement of MCID, low preoperative ODI, higher age, greater disc degeneration, and spondylolisthesis are risk factors and low preoperative ODI is the only independent predictor.

Physical activity and sleep quality correlations with anthropometric measurements in young adults.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study examined correlations between physical activity and anthropometrics as well as sleep quality and anthropometrics. PARTICIPANTS: College students (n = 85) with average age 25.6 ± 5.4 years. METHODS: Participants received full-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans and completed validated surveys: Habitual Physical Activity questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. RESULTS: Males reported more sports-related physical activity than females (p = 0.041). Physical activity indices and percent body fat were inversely correlated (total ⍴ = -0.320, p < 0.001; sport ß = -0.378, p = 0.003). Participants had poor overall sleep quality (PSQI = 6.19 ± 2.99). The PSQI sleep quality index: disturbance was directly correlated with body mass index (BMI) (ß = 0.328, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Health interventions on college campuses should promote more physical activity and better quality sleep as these factors were related to improved body anthropometrics and potentially reduced chronic disease risk.

MRI-Based Score for Assessment of Bone Mineral Density in Operative Spine Patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparison. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine whether a previously developed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived bone mineral density (BMD) scoring system can differentiate between healthy and osteoporotic vertebrae and to validate this scoring system against quantitative computed tomography measurements. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: BMD is an important preoperative consideration in spine surgery. Techniques to measure BMD are subject to falsely elevated values in the setting of spondylosis (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) or require significant exposure to radiation [quantitative computed tomography (QCT)]. Previous studies have shown that MRI may be utilized to measure bone quality using changes in the bone marrow signal observed on T1-weighted MRIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients who underwent operative lumbar procedures at a single tertiary institution between 2016 and 2021 (n=61). Vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scores were measured by dividing the median signal intensities of L1-L4 by the signal intensity of cerebrospinal fluid on noncontrast T1W MRI. Demographic data, comorbidities, VBQ scores, and QCT-derived T scores and BMD of the lumbar spine were compared between healthy ( T score ≥-1; n=21), osteopenic (-2.5 < T score < -1; n=21), and osteoporotic ( T score ≤-2.5; n=19) cohorts using analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey test. Linear regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to assess the predictive value of VBQ scores. Pearson correlation test was used to evaluate the association between VBQ scores and QCT-derived measurements. RESULTS: VBQ differentiated between healthy and osteoporotic groups ( P =0.009). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a greater VBQ score was associated with presence of osteoporosis (area under the curve=0.754, P =0.006). Cutoff VBQ for osteoporosis was 2.6 (Youden index 0.484; sensitivity: 58%; specificity: 90%). VBQ scores weakly correlated with QCT-derived BMD ( P =0.03, r =-0.27) and T scores ( P =0.04, r =-0.26). CONCLUSION: This study attempted to further validate a previously developed MRI-based BMD scoring system against QCT-derived measurements. VBQ score was found to be a significant predictor of osteoporosis and could differentiate between healthy and osteoporotic vertebrae.

Breast, Colorectal, Lung, Prostate, and Cervical Cancer Screening Prevalence in a Large Commercial and Medicare Advantage Plan, 2008-2020.

This study aimed to comprehensively assess breast, colorectal, cervical, lung, and prostate cancer screening rates and trends in the United States over time among individuals for whom screening is recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This retrospective study was conducted in two-year intervals from January 1, 2008 to February 29, 2020, using Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database, which includes Medicare Advantage and commercially insured members. Screening-eligible individuals, who had not previously had the cancer being screened and met USPSTF criteria for screening, were identified at various time points within the study timeframe for relevant screening tests within five cancer types: breast, colorectal, cervical, lung, and prostate. In the 2020 analysis period, patients who were eligible for cancer screening included: breast: 1,620,588; colorectal: 2,763,736; cervical: 1,371,506; lung: 1,491,594; prostate: 1,126,249. Breast and cervical cancer screening prevalence rates were highest (64.4% and 63.8%, respectively), followed by colorectal (29.5%), prostate (11.7%), and lung (3.8%). Black/African American individuals and Hispanics had moderately low screening rates for cervical (58.6%) and breast (61.8%) cancer, respectively; Hispanics had the lowest screening rates for prostate cancer (6.1%). Those residing in the West had lower screening rates for breast (58.9%), cervical (62.1%), and prostate (5.6%) cancer. Screening rates remained stable over time for breast, colorectal, and lung cancer, and changed significantly for cervical (-9.5%, 2012-2020) and prostate (+7.3%, 2008-2020) cancer. Real-world cancer screening rates remain suboptimal and low, and efforts to increase screening uptake and reduce cancer health disparities remain critical.

Impact of early detection on cancer curability: A modified Delphi panel study.

Expert consensus on the potential benefits of early cancer detection does not exist for most cancer types. We convened 10 practicing oncologists using a RAND/UCLA modified Delphi panel to evaluate which of 20 solid tumors, representing >40 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)-identified cancer types and 80% of total cancer incidence, would receive potential clinical benefits from early detection. Pre-meeting, experts estimated how long cancers take to progress and rated the current curability and benefit (improvement in curability) of an annual hypothetical multi-cancer screening blood test. Post-meeting, experts rerated all questions. Cancers had varying estimates of the potential benefit of early cancer detection depending on estimates of their curability and progression by stage. Cancers rated as progressing quickly and being curable in earlier stages (stomach, esophagus, lung, urothelial tract, melanoma, ovary, sarcoma, bladder, cervix, breast, colon/rectum, kidney, uterus, anus, head and neck) were estimated to be most likely to benefit from a hypothetical screening blood test. Cancer types rated as progressing quickly but having comparatively lower cure rates in earlier stages (liver/intrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas) were estimated to have medium likelihood of benefit from a hypothetical screening blood test. Cancer types rated as progressing more slowly and having higher curability regardless of stage (prostate, thyroid) were estimated to have limited likelihood of benefit from a hypothetical screening blood test. The panel concluded most solid tumors have a likelihood of benefit from early detection. Even among difficult-to-treat cancers (e.g., pancreas, liver/intrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder), early-stage detection was believed to be beneficial. Based on the panel consensus, broad coverage of cancers by screening blood tests would deliver the greatest potential benefits to patients.

Chemical Compositions of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.) Extracts and Their Potentials in Suppressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-ACE2 Binding, Inhibiting ACE2, and Scavenging Free Radicals.

COVID-19 is initiated by binding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on host cells. Food factors capable of suppressing the binding between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2 or reducing the ACE2 availability through ACE2 inhibitions may potentially reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. In this study, the chemical compositions of clove water and ethanol extracts were investigated, along with their potentials in suppressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-ACE2 binding, reducing ACE2 availability, and scavenging free radicals. Thirty-four compounds were tentatively identified in the clove water and ethanol extracts, with six reported in clove for the first time. Clove water and ethanol extracts dose-dependently suppressed SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding to ACE2 and inhibited ACE2 activity. The water extract had stronger inhibitory effects than the ethanol extract on a dry weight basis. The clove water extract also had more potent free radical scavenging activities against DPPH• and ABTS•+ (536.9 and 3525.06 µmol TE/g, respectively) than the ethanol extract (58.44 and 2298.01 µmol TE/g, respectively). In contrast, the ethanol extract had greater total phenolic content (TPC) and relative HO• scavenging capacity (HOSC) values (180.03 mg GAE/g and 2181.08 µmol TE/g, respectively) than the water extract (120.12 mg GAE/g and 1483.02 µmol TE/g, respectively). The present study demonstrated the potential of clove in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 development.

Immediate weight loss before ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination is associated with a lower risk of preeclampsia in women with obesity and unexplained infertility.

Objective: To determine whether successful weight loss before ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination (OS-IUI) affects the risk of future pregnancy complications among women with obesity and unexplained infertility after fertility treatment. Design: Secondary analysis of the randomized controlled clinical trial Improving Reproductive Fitness Through Pretreatment With Lifestyle Modification in Obese Women With Unexplained Infertility (FIT-PLESE). Setting: Multiple academic health centers in the United States. Patients: Three hundred seventy-nine women with obesity and unexplained infertility who underwent standard infertility treatment after a lifestyle intervention. Interventions: The FIT-PLESE trial evaluated whether prepregnancy lifestyle interventions (diet with weight loss medication and exercise vs. exercise alone) before OS-IUI improved the live birth rate among women with obesity and unexplained infertility. Although the primary outcome of FIT-PLESE was live birth rate, we compared the demographics and subsequent pregnancy complications of women who successfully lost some weight with those of women who did not lose any during the interventions. Main Outcome Measures: Obstetric complications by groups were compared using χ2 and Fisher's exact tests, and continuous variables were compared using Student's t-tests. Logistic regression was used to assess the odds of preeclampsia after adjustment for the randomized treatment arm in FIT-PLESE. Results: There was a nonsignificant trend toward a lower risk of intrauterine growth restriction (4% vs. 16%, P = .124) and preterm delivery (6% vs. 15%, P = .343) among patients who lost at least some weight. The risk of preeclampsia was significantly lower (6% vs.35%, P = .002) in the weight loss group (odds ratio, 0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.016-0.505; P = .006) after adjustment for treatment assignment. Conclusions: Among women with obesity and unexplained infertility who had live births after fertility treatment, prepregnancy weight loss due to lifestyle interventions before OS-IUI was associated with a lower risk of preeclampsia.