Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Brief Bioinform 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China.

The mechanisms controlling biological process, such as the development of disease or cell differentiation, can be investigated by examining changes in the networks of gene dependencies between states in the process. High-throughput experimental methods, like microarray and RNA sequencing, have been widely used to gather gene expression data, which paves the way to infer gene dependencies based on computational methods. However, most differential network analysis methods are designed to deal with fully observed data, but missing values, such as the dropout events in single-cell RNA-sequencing data, are frequent. Read More

Oncol Res Treat 2021 May 11:1-10. Epub 2021 May 11.

Institute of Chinese Traditional Surgery, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most common type of breast cancer, is associated with poor patient prognosis. Platinum-containing chemotherapies are commonly used in the treatment and prevention of advanced TNBC.

Objectives And Methods: To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of platinum-containing chemotherapies in patients with advanced TNBC, we searched several databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, ClinicalTrials. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021 May 8;560:72-79. Epub 2021 May 8.

Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Electronic address:

Tumor metastasis is a leading cause of mortality in patients with breast cancer (BC). As a predominant component of inflammasome, Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) was found to be required for tumor progression, while the role of NLRP3 in BC metastasis remains largely undefined. In current study, we found that invasive BC had aberrant upregulation of NLRP3 expression, especially in the claudin-low subtype. Read More

Poult Sci 2021 Mar 26;100(6):101171. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. Electronic address:

This study compares kinetic parameters of Salmonella and Enterococcus faecium in moisture enhanced, reconstructed comminuted chicken patties prepared with different pump rates during double pan-broiling with various set-up temperatures. Fresh 1.5-kg chicken breast meat was course grounded, inoculated with S. Read More

Poult Sci 2021 Apr 20;100(6):101180. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy.

In the past decade, the poultry industry has faced the occurrence of growth-related muscular abnormalities that mainly affect, with a high incidence rate, the Pectoralis major of the fast-growing genotypes selected for their production performances (high growth rate and breast yield). These myopathies are termed as White Striping, Wooden Breast, and Spaghetti Meat and exhibit distinctive phenotypes. A spatiotemporal distribution has been demonstrated for these disorders as in the early stage they primarily affect the superficial area in the cranial portion of the muscle and, as the birds grow older, involve the entire tissue. Read More

Life Sci 2021 May 8:119597. Epub 2021 May 8.

Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Biociencias, Botucatu, Sao Poalo 18618-689, Brazil.

This brief review describes the association of the endogenous pineal melatonin rhythm with the metabolic flux of solid tumors, particularly breast cancer. It also summarizes new information on the potential mechanisms by which endogenously-produced or exogenously-administered melatonin impacts the metabolic phenotype of cancer cells. The evidence indicates that solid tumors may redirect their metabolic phenotype from the pathological Warburg-type metabolism during the day to the healthier mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation on a nightly basis. Read More

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021 May 8. Epub 2021 May 8.

Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Electronic address:

Purpose: The omission of radiation therapy (RT) in elderly women with stage 1 estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer receiving endocrine therapy (ET) is an acceptable strategy based on randomized trial data. Less is known about the omission of ET +/- RT.

Patient And Methods: We analyzed SEER-Medicare data for 13,321 women ≥ 66 years with stage I ER+ breast cancer from 2007-2012 who underwent breast conserving surgery. Read More

Cancer Cell 2021 May;39(5):604-606

Laboratory of Novel Biologics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA. Electronic address:

The long-held paradigm that tumor suppressors are un-targetable in cancer therapy is challenged by a study published in Science. This recent work elegantly describes and characterizes a p53 mutant peptide-selective TCR-mimic antibody and its co-targeting T cell-activating bispecific antibody to eliminate neoantigen-expressing tumors. Read More

JCO Oncol Pract 2021 May;17(5):e637-e644

Rutgers Center for State Health Policy, New Brunswick, NJ.

Purpose: Black women are disproportionately burdened by comorbidities and breast cancer. The complexities of coordinating care for multiple health conditions can lead to adverse consequences. Care coordination may be exacerbated when care is received outside the same health system, defined as care fragmentation. Read More

JCO Oncol Pract 2021 May;17(5):e654-e665

Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Purpose: We sought to investigate the association between Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act and access to stage-appropriate definitive treatment for breast, colon, non-small-cell lung, and prostate cancer for underserved racial and ethnic minorities and at minority-serving hospitals (MSHs).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, difference-in-differences study including minority patients with nonmetastatic breast, colon, non-small-cell lung, and prostate cancer and patients treated at MSHs between the age of 40 and 64, with tumors at stages eligible for definitive treatment from the National Cancer Database. We not only defined non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic cancer patients as racial and ethnic minorities but also report findings for non-Hispanic Black cancer patients separately. Read More

JCO Oncol Pract 2021 May;17(5):e623-e628

Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX.

Purpose: Over the past 10 years, oral chemotherapy made up about half (45.6%) of all US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved oncolytic and hematologic medications. Given the disparity in incidence and mortality rate because of certain cancers among Black Americans (BAs) in the United States, a review of BA's representation in the clinical trials that lead to the development and FDA approval of oral chemotherapy drugs becomes imperative. Read More

JCO Oncol Pract 2021 May;17(5):e603-e613

Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.

Purpose: Survival in breast cancer is largely stage-dependent. Lack of insurance and Medicaid have been associated with later-stage breast cancer, but it is unknown to what degree this association varies by race or ethnicity.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-institution cohort analysis of women undergoing breast radiotherapy from 2012 to 2017 (n = 1,019). Read More

ChemMedChem 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

University of Arizona, Chemistry & Biochemistry, 1306 E. University Ave., 85721, Tucson, UNITED STATES.

The central role of iron in tumor progression and metastasis motivates the development of iron-binding approaches in cancer chemotherapy. Disulfide-based prochelators are reductively activated upon cellular uptake to liberate thiol chelators responsible for iron sequestration. Herein, a trimethyl thiosemicarbazone moiety and the imidazole-2-thione heterocycle are incorporated in this prochelator design. Read More

J Magn Reson Imaging 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Aesthet Surg J 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

PLoS One 2021 11;16(5):e0250747. Epub 2021 May 11.

Division of Glycobiologics, Intractable Disease Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Introduction: Molecular and cellular characteristics of the relapse-prone subset within triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remain unclear. Aberrant glycosylation is involved in the malignant behavior of cancer cells. In the present study, we aimed to reveal glycan profiles unique to relapsed TNBC patients. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

From the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Radiology, Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health; the Department of Surgery, Beaumont Health; and New York Breast Reconstruction Associates.

Background: Preoperative abdominal computed tomographic angiograms for free flap breast reconstruction improve operative safety and efficiency, but incidental findings are common and potentially affect management. In addition, the authors hypothesized that patients with genetic mutations might have a higher rate of significant findings. The authors present the largest series of computed tomographic angiogram "incidentalomas" in these two populations and an evidence-based algorithm for managing common findings. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2021 May 11:1-8. Epub 2021 May 11.

Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany.

Purpose: Previously we demonstrated the feasibility of a six-week-long combination of high-intensity interval endurance and strength training (HIT/HIRT) for women with nonmetastatic breast cancer leading to improvements in psychological well-being and performance. Now we report results of a 24-month follow-up.

Methods: Previous intervention (IG,  = 10; 58. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2021 May 11:1-19. Epub 2021 May 11.

Discipline of Occupational, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Purpose: A scoping review of international literature was conducted to identify the various problems encountered by women with breast cancer associated with cognitive deficits, and the relationship to work roles and tasks.

Method: This scoping review was conducted using the structure recommended by Arksey & O'Malley in consideration of the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews checklist and reviewed for quality, inclusion criteria and key findings related to cognitive changes after breast and impact on work. Searches were conducted in five databases from January 2000 to December 2020. Read More

Mol Diagn Ther 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Azienda Tutela della Salute Sardegna, Ospedale A. Segni, Ozieri, Italy.

Hormone-receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC) (including the luminal A and the luminal B subtypes) is the most common type of tumor in women diagnosed with early-stage BC (EBC). It represents a highly heterogeneous subgroup that is characterized by different risks of relapse. The aim of this review is to discuss the possible role played by the immune response in predicting this risk, along with the most common clinical and pathological factors and molecular tools that have been developed and are already in use. Read More

Breast Cancer 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.

Objectives: We aimed to improve understanding of health professional knowledge and management of genitourinary symptoms (GUS) in women with early breast cancer (EBC).

Methods: A survey was sent to 872 health professionals caring for women with EBC. Questions addressed most common GUS seen, experience treating GUS, and attitudes to treatment options. Read More

Ann Surg Oncol 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Endoscopic and Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, 135 Nanxiao Street, Changhua, 500, Taiwan.

Background: Endoscopy-assisted breast surgery (EABS) performed through minimal axillary and/or peri-areolar incisions is a possible alternative to conventional breast surgery (CBS) for certain patients with breast cancer. In this study, we report the oncologic safety results of EABS compared with CBS.

Methods: Patients underwent EABS for breast cancer during the period June 2010 to March 2020 were collected from the EABS database from single institute, and another cohort of patients, who received CBS, were identified to determine the effectiveness and oncologic safety of EABS. Read More

Virchows Arch 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Departments of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht Cancer Center, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease. Due to its rarity, treatment is still directed by data mainly extrapolated from female breast cancer (FBC) treatment, despite the fact that it has recently become clear that MBC has its own molecular characteristics. DDX3 is a RNA helicase with tumor suppressor and oncogenic potential that was described as a prognosticator in FBC and can be targeted by small molecule inhibitors of DDX3. Read More

Cell Mol Life Sci 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics, the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.

Among many nanoparticle-based delivery platforms, liposomes have been particularly successful with many formulations passed into clinical applications. They are well-established and effective gene and/or drug delivery systems, widely used in cancer therapy including breast cancer. In this review we discuss liposome design with the targeting feature and triggering functions. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; and the Institute for Reconstructive Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine.

Background: Autologous free flap breast reconstruction is a common reconstructive procedure, with the ability to produce a natural breast shape and a long history of success. Despite its benefits, there are special situations in which patients lack sufficient donor-site tissue to achieve adequate breast size and projection. With this study, the authors describe their institutional experience of delayed implant augmentation after autologous breast reconstruction with a particular focus on pedicle division as a technique to improve aesthetic results. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

From the Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Surgery, Tufts Medical Center; and Tufts University School of Medicine.

Background: Using nonopioid analgesics may decrease the risk of patients chronically using opioids postoperatively. The authors evaluated the relationship between paravertebral block and pain score at the time of hospital discharge.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of 89 women with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status I to III undergoing oncoplastic breast surgery with 20 to 50 percent breast tissue removal and immediate contralateral reconstruction between August of 2015 and August of 2018. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

From the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Background: Although the profunda artery perforator flap has gained popularity in breast reconstruction, it has not been well described for reconstruction of head and neck defects. The authors report their experience with free profunda artery perforator flaps in postoncologic head and neck reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective review of all free profunda artery perforator flaps used for head and neck reconstruction from 2016 to 2019 was performed. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

From the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, UOC Chirurgia Oncologica della Mammella; Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Department of Surgery "P. Valdoni", Unit of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Unità di Oncologia Chirurgica Ricostruttiva della Mammella, "Spedali Riuniti" di Livorno, "Breast Unit" Integrata di Livorno Cecina, Piombino Elba, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, San Giovanni-Addolorata Hospital; and the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Catanzaro Hospital.

Background: Implant-based reconstruction is the most performed breast reconstruction, and both subpectoral and prepectoral approaches can lead to excellent results. Choosing the best procedure requires a thorough understanding of every single technique, and proper patient selection is critical to achieve surgical success, in particular when dealing with prepectoral breast reconstruction.

Methods: Between January of 2014 and December of 2018, patients undergoing mastectomy and eligible for immediate prepectoral breast reconstruction with tissue expander or definitive implant, were selected. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

From the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns Treatment, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet; and Amalieklinikken.

Background: Anatomical implants provide a wide range of options in terms of implant dimensions for breast augmentation. Nevertheless, many surgeons choose not to use anatomical implants due to the risk of rotation malposition and because their advantages over round implants are not clearly defined.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was performed on all women who underwent breast augmentation or implant exchange with microtextured anatomical implants from 2012 to 2019 in a single private clinic. Read More