Agreement between blood draw techniques for assessing platelet activation by flow cytometry

It is widely believed that assays of platelet activation are susceptible to preanalytical variables related to blood draw technique. We assessed platelet activation by whole blood flow cytometry and investigated the effects of: (1) drawing blood into vacuum tubes or manually aspirated syringes, and (2) discarding the first drawn blood sample (discard tube). Platelet P-selectin expression and platelet-monocyte complexes were measured by flow cytometry under both basal conditions and following stimulation with 0.1, 1, or 10 µM ADP. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated agreement between results for vacuum tube and syringe-aspirated samples with an a priori-defined clinically relevant agreement limit of 5%. Agreement of results was also observed between discard tube and second draw samples for both vacuum-driven and manually aspirated blood. We conclude that a vacuum tube or a manually-aspirated syringe can be used when assessing platelet activation by flow cytometry and that there is no need for a discard tube.     

Patient navigation across the cancer care continuum: An overview of systematic reviews and emerging literature

Patient navigation is a strategy for overcoming barriers to reduce disparities and to improve access and outcomes. The aim of this umbrella review was to identify, critically appraise, synthesize, and present the best available evidence to inform policy and planning regarding patient navigation across the cancer continuum. Systematic reviews examining navigation in cancer care were identified in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Epistemonikos, and Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) databases and in the gray literature from January 1, 2012, to April 19, 2022. Data were screened, extracted, and appraised independently by two authors. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Review and Research Syntheses was used for quality appraisal. Emerging literature up to May 25, 2022, was also explored to capture primary research published beyond the coverage of included systematic reviews. Of the 2062 unique records identified, 61 systematic reviews were included. Fifty-four reviews were quantitative or mixed-methods reviews, reporting on the effectiveness of cancer patient navigation, including 12 reviews reporting costs or cost-effectiveness outcomes. Seven qualitative reviews explored navigation needs, barriers, and experiences. In addition, 53 primary studies published since 2021 were included. Patient navigation is effective in improving participation in cancer screening and reducing the time from screening to diagnosis and from diagnosis to treatment initiation. Emerging evidence suggests that patient navigation improves quality of life and patient satisfaction with care in the survivorship phase and reduces hospital readmission in the active treatment and survivorship care phases. Palliative care data were extremely limited. Economic evaluations from the United States suggest the potential cost-effectiveness of navigation in screening programs.     

Positive HLA‐B27 and sacroiliitis is not always spondyloarthritis

A 36‐year‐old man was treated for several years with multiple agents for ankylosing spondylitis based on positive human leukocyte antigen‐B27 and sacroiliitis. He was also diagnosed with osteoporosis and hypophosphatemia. Over these years, from being an avid runner, he became dependent on a walker for ambulation. The lack of treatment response and the low phosphorus were clues that eventually led to a diagnosis of tumor‐induced osteomalacia. This case discusses the importance of not solely relying on genetic markers and sacroiliitis for diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis as other conditions can cause similar presentations.     

A Recent Pharmacy Graduate’s Perspectives on Faculty and Course Evaluations

Written primarily by a recent pharmacy school graduate, this commentary aims to express the perceptions about pharmacy faculty members and course evaluations that students often hold. Colleges and schools of pharmacy use many different systems to administer and assess evaluations. While there are numerous published articles regarding these forms of evaluation, almost no literature exists that reflects the opinions of those actually completing the evaluations, ie, students. Explaining the purpose of evaluations and how they will be used, how to correctly complete evaluations, and the potential responsiveness of and receptivity of professors, as well as other factors, impact how students perceive and complete their evaluations. It is worthwhile to gather students’ perspectives on evaluations as these assessments hold the potential to drive curricular change and faculty promotion. Considering students perspectives can help colleges and schools design and administer more effective evaluations, increasing the utility of these assessments.