Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

The evolving treatment landscape of advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Abstract: Purpose of review Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the world and the 6th most common cancer among men. In the past few years, several new agents have been approved for the treatment of urothelial tumors. In this paper, we review the evolving treatment landscape of advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). Recent findings Since 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five immunotherapies targeting programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death 1 legend, an antinectin-4 antibody drug conjugate (ADC), and a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor for the treatment of patients with advanced UC. Moreover, there are multiple targeted agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), ADCs, and their combinations currently being tested in clinical studies with the goal of obtaining FDA approval. Summary Precision oncology efforts continue to advance our understanding of the UC biology and transform the existing treatment paradigms. An enlarging arsenal of treatment options promises further personalization of UC therapy.

Antibody responses of adults, adolescents, and children to a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in a rural African setting.

Abstract: A field trial of a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in five rural villages in Zambia was analyzed to determine if adults in a rural African setting respond to this vaccine as well as adults in Western countries and to determine the immunogenicity of fewer than the recommended three doses; 255 residents, including 171 who were susceptible to hepatitis B, were vaccinated. Among those who received three vaccine doses, protective levels of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) developed in 67% of adults (ages 21 to 70 years), 87% of adolescents (ages 12 to 19 years), and 100% of children (ages 0 to 11 years). The 67% of vaccinated adults who developed anti-HBs at the protective level was lower than the 96% reported among adults receiving the same vaccine at the same dose and dosage schedule in studies in Western countries. No difference was seen in the response of those receiving two doses compared with those receiving three doses among adults and adolescents, suggesting that a two-dose regimen may be acceptable in these age groups in developing countries to reduce costs and improve compliance. Use of hepatitis B vaccine in a region where prevaccination hepatitis B serologic screening was not available did not appear to increase the number of severity of adverse reactions.

Maternal Heart Failure.

Abstract: Heart failure (HF) remains the most common major cardiovascular complication arising in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Mothers who develop HF have been shown to experience an increased risk of death as well as a variety of adverse cardiac and obstetric outcomes. Recent studies have demonstrated that the risk to neonates is significant, with increased risks in perinatal morbidity and mortality, low Apgar scores, and prolonged neonatal intensive care unit stays. Information on the causal factors of HF can be used to predict risk and understand timing of onset, mortality, and morbidity. A variety of modifiable, nonmodifiable, and obstetric risk factors as well as comorbidities are known to increase a patient's likelihood of developing HF, and there are additional elements that are known to portend a poorer prognosis beyond the HF diagnosis. Multidisciplinary cardio-obstetric teams are becoming more prominent, and their existence will both benefit patients through direct care and increased awareness and educate clinicians and trainees on this patient population. Detection, access to care, insurance barriers to extended postpartum follow-up, and timely patient counseling are all areas where care for these women can be improved. Further data on maternal and fetal outcomes are necessary, with the formation of State Maternal Perinatal Quality Collaboratives paving the way for such advances.