Predictors for Survival and Distribution of 21-Gene Recurrence Score in Patients With Pure Mucinous Breast Cancer: A SEER Population-Based Retrospective Analysis

Background

Pure mucinous breast cancer (PMBC) is a rare pathologic type of breast cancer, the prognostic factors of which have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to analyze the prognostic markers and distribution of 21-gene recurrence score (RS) in patients with PMBC.

Disrupted white matter functional connectivity in aMCI APOEε4 carriers: a resting-state study

The ε4 allele of the APOE gene is thought to increase risk from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive decline in the condition is increasingly considered to worsen functional disconnections in brain network composed of gray matter and white matter. Nevertheless, Whether APOEε4 targets specific white matter functional connectivity in patients with aMCI remains mostly unexplored, mainly due to the challenges of detecting BOLD signals in white matter. Here, we applied a novel approach to investigate APOEε4-related specific bundles and cortical area alterations in aMCI subjects, in order to characterize white matter-gray matter functional connectivity differences throughout the brain. We analyzed 75 patients with aMCI and 76 demographically matched normal controls. The aMCI APOEε4 carriers showed decreased functional connectivity located at left corticospinal tract, bilateral posterior limb of internal capsule, and right temporopolaris, which was different from the regions of aMCI-related changes. We further found that recognition scores were positively associated with the right temporopolaris in aMCI APOEε4 carriers. Collectively, the data provide new evidence that APOEε4 genotype exerts a negative impact on neural activity in both gray and white matter in aMCI, which potentially contributes to functional disconnection and memory decline. A novel method provides full-scale measuring effect of disease conditions on functional architecture throughout the brain. Trial registration: https://www.ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02225964). Registered January 2014.

     

Saroclazines A–C,thio-diketopiperazines from mangrove-derived fungi <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarocladium kiliense</Emphasis> HDN11-84

Three new diketopiperazine derivatives (DKPs), saroclazines A–C (1–3) along with three known DKPs (4–6) were isolated from mangrove-derived fungi Sarocladium kiliense HDN11-84. Saroclazines A–B (1 and 2) possessed a free amide structure, which was first found in sulfur-containing aromatic DKPs. Their structures were elucidated by NMR, HRESIMS and X-ray. The cytotoxic activity of new compounds (1–3) was tested against HeLa cell lines, among which compound 2 showed an IC₅₀ value of 4.2 µM.     

Clinical and other specialty services offered by pharmacists in the community: the international arena and Israel

The community pharmacy setting is a venue that is readily accessible to the public. In addition, it is staffed by a pharmacist, who is a healthcare provider, trained and capable of delivering comprehensive pharmaceutical care. As such, community pharmacists have a colossal opportunity to serve as key contributors to patients’ health by ensuring appropriate use of medications, preventing medication misadventures, identifying drug-therapy needs, as well as by being involved in disease management, screening, and prevention programs. This unique position gives the pharmacist the privilege and duty to serve patients in roles other than solely that of the stereotypical drug dispenser.Worldwide, as well as in Israel, pharmacists already offer a variety of pharmaceutical services and tend to patients’ and the healthcare system’s needs. This article provides examples of professional, clinical or other specialty services offered by community pharmacists around the world and in Israel and describes these interventions as well as the evidence for their efficacy. Examples of such activities which were recently introduced to the Israeli pharmacy landscape due to legislative changes which expanded the pharmacist’s scope of practice include emergency supply of medications, pharmacists prescribing, and influenza vaccination. Despite the progress already made, further expansion of these opportunities is warranted but challenging. Independent prescribing, as practiced in the United Kingdom or collaborative drug therapy management programs, as practiced in the United States, expansion of vaccination programs, or wide-spread recognition and reimbursement for medication therapy management (MTM) programs are unrealized opportunities. Obstacles such as time constraints, lack of financial incentives, inadequate facilities and technology, and lack of professional buy-in, and suggested means for overcoming these challenges are also discussed.