Faculty Bibliography

The objective of this study was to investigate the utility of using serum gonadotropin levels to predict optimal luteinizing hormone (LH) response to gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger. A retrospective cohort study was performed of all GnRH-antagonist controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycles at an academic fertility center from 2017-2020. Cycles that utilized GnRHa alone or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for trigger were included. Patient and cycle characteristics were collected from the electronic medical record. Optimal LH response was defined as a serum LH ≥ 40 mIU/mL on the morning after trigger. Total sample size was 3865 antagonist COH cycles, of which 91% had an optimal response to GnRHa trigger. Baseline FSH (B-FSH) and earliest in-cycle LH (EIC-LH) were significantly higher in those with optimal response. Multivariable logistic regression affirmed association of optimal response with EIC-LH, total gonadotropin dosage, age, BMI and Asian race. There was no difference in the number of oocytes retrieved (p = 0.14), maturity rate (p = 0.40) or fertilization rates (p = 0.49) based on LH response. There was no difference in LH response based on use of combination vs. GnRHa alone trigger (p = 0.21) or GnRHa trigger dose (p = 0.46). The EIC-LH was more predictive of LH trigger response than B-FSH (p < 0.005).The optimal B-FSH and EIC-LH values to yield an optimal LH response was ≥ 5.5 mIU/mL and ≥ 1.62 mIU/mL, respectively. In an era of personalized medicine, utilizing cycle and patient characteristics, such as early gonadotropin levels, may improve cycle outcomes and provide further individualized care.

INTRODUCTION/UNASSIGNED:Brain metastases are the most common intracranial tumor diagnosed in adults. In patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery, the incidence of post-treatment radionecrosis appears to be rising, which has been attributed to improved patient survival as well as novel systemic treatments. The impacts of concomitant immunotherapy and the interval between diagnosis and treatment on patient outcomes are unclear. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:This single institution, retrospective study consisted of patients who received single or multi-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery for intact brain metastases. Exclusion criteria included neurosurgical resection prior to treatment and treatment of non-malignant histologies or primary central nervous system malignancies. A univariate screen was implemented to determine which factors were associated with radionecrosis. The chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare the two groups for categorical variables, and the two-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney test was used for continuous data. Those factors that appeared to be associated with radionecrosis on univariate analyses were included in a multivariable model. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess potential predictors of time to local failure and time to regional failure. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:A total of 107 evaluable patients with a total of 256 individual brain metastases were identified. The majority of metastases were non-small cell lung cancer (58.98%), followed by breast cancer (16.02%). Multivariable analyses demonstrated increased risk of radionecrosis with increasing MRI maximum axial dimension (OR 1.10, p=0.0123) and a history of previous whole brain radiation therapy (OR 3.48, p=0.0243). Receipt of stereotactic radiosurgery with concurrent immunotherapy was associated with a decreased risk of local failure (HR 0.31, p=0.0159). Time interval between diagnostic MRI and first treatment, time interval between CT simulation and first treatment, and concurrent immunotherapy had no impact on incidence of radionecrosis or regional failure. DISCUSSION/UNASSIGNED:An optimal time interval between diagnosis and treatment for intact brain metastases that minimizes radionecrosis and maximizes local and regional control could not be identified. Concurrent immunotherapy does not appear to increase the risk of radionecrosis and may improve local control. These data further support the safety and synergistic efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery with concurrent immunotherapy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1132777.].

BACKGROUND:Evidence-based feeding practices are often variable among neonatal providers due to lack of knowledge and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) feeding culture norms. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate changes in NICU nurses' knowledge, perceptions, feeding practices and culture following education about, and implementation of, an evidence-based Infant-Driven Feeding (IDF) protocol. METHODS:A pre-/postprospective comparative design was used to survey 120 registered nurses employed in a level 3 NICU about feeding practices, knowledge, and culture prior to IDF education and 1 to 2 months after IDF implementation. RESULTS:The preeducation survey yielded 59 respondents; of these, 30 responded to the same survey after IDF implementation. Postimplementation responses were significant for fewer nurses making decisions to begin oral feedings (P = .035), greater use of gestational age to increase frequency of oral feeding attempts (P = .03), less reliance on weight loss to decrease oral feeding attempts (P = .018), an increase in use of combination interventions to prepare infants for oral feeding (P = .001), and greater willingness to allow a rest period or stop the feeding if an infant falls asleep after completing 70% of the feeding (P = .03). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH/UNASSIGNED:Trends in several survey categories following the education program and implementation of IDF support the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) such as IDF. Future research focused on nurses' perceptions of how education influences integration of specific EBPs into practice is needed. Evaluating EBP mentorship combined with education about EBPs can provide insights on how best to integrate EBPs into practice.

BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study is to analyze quality-of-life (QoL) metrics in men treated with focal cryoablation (FC) compared to active surveillance (AS) for localized PCa over a four-year follow-up period. We further investigated the effect of prostate size and minimum tumor temperature on QoL outcomes. METHODS:An Institutional Review Board-approved database was reviewed for patients who underwent FC or AS. QoL questionnaire responses were collected and scores were analyzed for differences between FC and AS, between prostate volume <50 cc and > 50 cc, and "cold" (<-78°C) and "warm" (>-78°C) tumor temperatures. RESULTS:148 AS and 60 FC patients were included. Compared to AS, no significant difference existed in urinary function measured by EPIC (p=0.593) and IPSS (p=0.241), bowel habits (p=0.370), or anxiety (p=0.672) across time post-FC. FC had significantly worse sexual function compared to AS measured by EPIC (p<0.0001) and IIEF (p<0.0001). Patients with prostate volume <50cc did not demonstrate differences between AS and FC in urinary function on EPIC (p=0.459) or IPSS (p=0.628) but FC patients had worse sexual function on EPIC (p<0.001) and IIEF (p<0.001). FC patients with a prostate volume >50cc had better urinary function measured by IPSS (p<0.05) and similar sexual function on EPIC (p=0.162) and IIEF (p=0.771) compared to AS. Urinary function over time measured by EPIC (0.825) and IPSS (p=0.658) was the same between AS, "warm", and "cold" FC groups. AS had significantly better sexual function than the "warm" and "cold" FC groups on EPIC (p<0.001) and IIEF (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:No differences were found in anxiety, urinary, or bowel function between AS and FC. Despite differences in sexual function, patients with larger prostates had no difference in sexual function and improved urinary function compared to AS. Future studies with larger cohorts are needed.

BACKGROUND:This study observes the trends and patterns among trainees during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and their response to resident education and hospital/program support. METHODS:An anonymous online 31-question survey was distributed to medical students and postgraduate year residents. Topics included were demographics, clinical responsibilities, educational/curricula changes, and trainee wellness. Descriptive analysis was performed for each set of demographic groupings as well as 2 and 3 group comparisons. RESULTS:< .0001). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:We aim to provide continued educational support for our trainees' clinical development and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.