Background: Persons with HIV (PWH) in the United States (US) smoke cigarettes at approximately triple the rate of the general adult population and are less successful in their quit attempts than other smokers. This randomized trial tested whether a novel web-based cessation program for PWH yielded higher cigarette quit rates compared with a control program. Setting: Two urban HIV care sites in NYC and Baltimore. Methods: Between 2016 and 2020, 506 PWH were randomized to either Positively Smoke Free on the Web (PSFW+; N = 255), a multimodal platform, interactive web intervention hosted within an online social network to support quitting among PWH who smoke, and an attention-matched web-based control intervention (American Heart Association Getting Healthy; N = 251). All participants were offered 12 weeks of nicotine patch. Our primary outcome was biochemically confirmed exhaled carbon monoxide < 10 parts per million (ppm) 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 6 months. Results: Participants were middle-aged (mean 50.2 years; range 23–73 years), 57% male, 19% Latinx, 83% Black, and 13% White. At 6 months, a significantly greater percentage of PSFW+ participants (14.9%) achieved biochemically confirmed 7-day point prevalence abstinence in intent-to-treat analysis compared with 8.8% of American Heart Association Getting Healthy participants [odds ratio =1.82 (95% confidence interval =1.04 to 3.18), P = 0.03]. Conclusions: PSFW+ is a promising cessation intervention composed of empirically tested content and real-time social support through an online social network that was found to promote abstinence. This digital approach has broad reach and scalability, can be easily integrated into comprehensive HIV care, and represents an advance in the fight against tobacco use among PWH.
Postoperative Urinary Incontinence in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
Importance Diabetes is an independent risk factor for urinary incontinence, and its impact on rates of postoperative incontinence after pelvic reconstructive surgery remains unexplored. Objective The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), and mixed urinary incontinence in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with or without SUI surgery. Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter retrospective cohort study involving 10 diverse medical centers that identified a cohort of women with diabetes who had prolapse and/or anti-incontinence surgery. We compared rates of postoperative urinary incontinence among patients who had surgery for prolapse and incontinence versus surgery for prolapse only. Results Three hundred five patients had surgery for prolapse and incontinence, 330 had surgery for prolapse only, and 189 had anti-incontinence surgery only. De novo UUI was higher among those who underwent surgery for POP and SUI compared with surgery for POP alone (26.4% vs 14.1%, P < 0.01). Rates of persistent SUI (21% vs 4.9%, P < 0.01) and mixed urinary incontinence (15.9% vs 2.7%, P < 0.01) were higher for those who underwent prolapse surgery alone versus prolapse and an incontinence procedure. No differences were seen in hemoglobin A 1C levels between those who did and did not report postoperative UI. Conclusions We found that postoperative de novo UUI rates were high among patients with diabetes after pelvic reconstructive surgery, with the incidence being significantly higher for those who had surgery for prolapse and incontinence compared with surgery for prolapse only.
Assessment of Regional Variability in COVID-19 Outcomes Among Patients With Cancer in the United States
Abstract: Globally, the burden of musculoskeletal conditions continues to rise, disproportionately affecting low and middle-income countries (LMICs). The ability to meet these orthopaedic surgical care demands remains a challenge. To help address these issues, many orthopaedic surgeons seek opportunities to provide humanitarian assistance to the populations in need. While many global orthopaedic initiatives are well-intentioned and can offer short-term benefits to the local communities, it is essential to emphasize training and the integration of local surgeon-leaders. The commitment to developing educational and investigative capacity, as well as fostering sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships in low-resource settings, is critical. To this end, global health organizations, such as the Consortium of Orthopaedic Academic Traumatologists (COACT), work to promote and ensure the lasting sustainability of musculoskeletal trauma care worldwide. This article describes global orthopaedic efforts that can effectively address musculoskeletal care through an examination of 5 domains: clinical care, clinical research, surgical education, disaster response, and advocacy.
Bleeding Complications in Patients with Cancer and COVID 19- Analysis from the COVID 19and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) Registry
Abstract Background : Patients (pts) with COVID-19 are reported to have increased risk of venous thromboembolism yet bleeding has been an under recognized complication. Rates of bleeding remain unexamined in all patients especially in pts with cancer and COVID-19. Aim: To estimate the incidence of bleeding complication in patients with cancer and COVID 19 Methods: The CCC19 international registry (NCT04354701) aims to investigate complications of COVID-19 in pts with cancer. Our aim was to investigate the frequency of bleeding in hospitalized adult pts with cancer andCOVID-19, enrolled between March 16, 2020 and Feb 8, 2021. The incidence of bleeding complications was captured as defined by CCC19 and included both major and non major bleeding . Associated baseline clinic-pathologic prognostic factors and outcomes such as need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality rates were assessed Results :3849 pts met analysis inclusion criteria. Bleeding was reported in 276 (7%) pts with median age of 70years; incidence was 6.6 % in females and 7.6 % in males, 6.5% in non-Hispanic white pts, 8.2 % in non-Hispanic Black pts, and 7.8 % in Hispanic pts. 74% had solid cancer and 29% had hematologic malignancies, 33% had received anti-cancer therapy in preceding 30 days, and 8% had surgery within 4weeks. In pts taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications at baseline, 7.2% developed bleeding. Need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, 30-day mortality, and total mortality were significantly higher in those with bleeding complications compared to those without, p<0.05 Conclusion : We describe the incidence of bleeding in a large cohort of pts with cancer and COVID-19. Bleeding events were observed in those with adverse outcomes including mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, and high mortality; the overall mortality of 43% in patients with bleeding complications is especially notable. This important complication may reflect underlying COVID-19 pathophysiology as well as iatrogenic causes. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Kumar: Diagnostica Stago: Honoraria. Zon: AMAGMA AND RLZ: Consultancy, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Byeff: Pfizer, BMS, Takeda,Teva, Merck, United health: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company. Nagaraj: Novartis: Research Funding. Hwang: astrazaneca,Merck,bayer, Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding. McKay: Myovant: Consultancy; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Exelixis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Calithera: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Tempus: Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Tempus: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Dendreon: Consultancy; Caris: Other: Serves as a molecular tumor board ; Vividion: Consultancy; Sorrento Therapeutics: Consultancy; Bayer: Research Funding. Warner: Westat, Hemonc.org: Consultancy, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company. Connors: Pfizer: Honoraria; CSL Behring: Research Funding; Alnylam: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; takeda: Honoraria; Abbott: Consultancy. Rosovsky: Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Inari: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Dova: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Association Between Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors and the Risk of Hospitalization or Death Among Patients With Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disease and COVID-19
Abstract In high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC), deleterious mutations in DNA repair gene RAD51C are established drivers of defective homologous recombination and are emerging biomarkers of PARP inhibitor (PARPi) sensitivity. RAD51C promoter methylation (meRAD51C) is detected at similar frequencies to mutations, yet its effects on PARPi responses remain unresolved. In this study, three HGSC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models with methylation at most or all examined CpG sites in the RAD51C promoter show responses to PARPi. Both complete and heterogeneous methylation patterns were associated with RAD51C gene silencing and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). PDX models lost meRAD51C following treatment with PARPi rucaparib or niraparib, where a single unmethylated copy of RAD51C was sufficient to drive PARPi resistance. Genomic copy number profiling of one of the PDX models using SNP arrays revealed that this resistance was acquired independently in two genetically distinct lineages. In a cohort of 12 patients with RAD51C-methylated HGSC, various patterns of meRAD51C were associated with genomic “scarring,” indicative of HRD history, but exhibited no clear correlations with clinical outcome. Differences in methylation stability under treatment pressure were also observed between patients, where one HGSC was found to maintain meRAD51C after six lines of therapy (four platinum-based), whereas another HGSC sample was found to have heterozygous meRAD51C and elevated RAD51C gene expression (relative to homozygous meRAD51C controls) after only neoadjuvant chemotherapy. As meRAD51C loss in a single gene copy was sufficient to cause PARPi resistance in PDX, methylation zygosity should be carefully assessed in previously treated patients when considering PARPi therapy. Significance: Homozygous RAD51C methylation is a positive predictive biomarker for sensitivity to PARP inhibitors, whereas a single unmethylated gene copy is sufficient to confer resistance.
Impact of Repeat Dosing and Mesh Exposure Chronicity on Exosome-Induced Vaginal Tissue Regeneration in a Porcine Mesh Exposure Model
Objective The aim of the study was to compare vaginal wound healing after exosome injection in a porcine mesh exposure model with (1) single versus multiple dose regimens and (2) acute versus subacute exposure. Methods Six 80-kg Yorkshire-crossed swine each had 2 polypropylene meshes implanted to create the vaginal mesh exposure model. Animals were divided into 3 groups based on number and timing of exosome injection: (1) single purified exosome product (PEP) injection (acute-single), (2) weekly PEP injections (acute-weekly, 4 total injections), and (3) delayed single injection (subacute-single). Acute and subacute injections occurred 1 and 8 weeks after mesh implantation, respectively. EdU, a thymidine analog, was given twice weekly after the first injection to track tissue regeneration. Euthanasia and tissue analysis occurred 4 weeks after the first injection. ImageJ was used to quantify epithelial thickness, cellular proliferation, and capillary density. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey test. Results Acute-single PEP injection tissues mirrored pilot study results, validating replication of protocol. Within the acute groups, weekly dosing resulted in 1.5× higher epithelial thickness (nonsignificant), 1.8× higher epithelial proliferation ( P < 0.05), and 1.5× higher regenerated capillary density ( P < 0.05) compared with single injection. Regarding chronicity of the exposure, the subacute group showed 1.7× higher epithelial proliferation (nonsignificant) and similar capillary density and epithelial thickness as compared with the acute group. Conclusions Exosome redosing resulted in significantly greater epithelial proliferation with significantly higher regenerated capillary density, leading to a trend toward thicker epithelium. Subacute exposure exhibited similar regeneration to acute exposure despite a delayed injection timeline. These results contribute to a growing body of preclinical research demonstrating utility of exosomes in pelvic floor disorders.