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Adsul P, Austin JD, Chebli P, Dias EM, Hirschey R, Ravi P, Seaman AT, Vogel R. From study plans to capacity building: a journey towards health equity in cancer survivorship. Cancer Causes Control 2023; 34:7-13. [PMID: 37851185 PMCID: PMC10689513 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-023-01808-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
This article highlights the importance of pausing and reflecting on one's motivation, capacity, and positionality when engaging in health equity research and encourages researchers to engage in critical self-reflection and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on the ethical conduct of health equity-focused cancer research. In response to the urgent need to address health disparities and improve health equity in cancer survivorship care, the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) Survivorship workgroup discussed developing a study focused on understanding how racism impacts patient engagement in cancer survivorship care. However, during the study's development, the workgroup recognized limitations in research team composition and infrastructure. The workgroup engaged in critical self-reflections, individually and collectively, leading to the halting of the research study. Consequently, they redirected their efforts towards strengthening the necessary infrastructure for conducting such research, including diverse investigator representation and equitable partnerships with cancer survivors. The description of this process, along with suggestions for reflection, may be helpful and informative to other researchers and research networks seeking to center marginalized voices and work in partnership to address healthcare and health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajakta Adsul
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jessica D Austin
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Perla Chebli
- Department of Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emanuelle M Dias
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rachel Hirschey
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Priyanka Ravi
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Aaron T Seaman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
| | - Rosi Vogel
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Dias EM, Walker TJ, Craig DW, Gibson R, Szeszulski J, Brandt HM, Johnson H, Lamont A, Wandersman A, Fernandez ME. Examining readiness for implementing practice changes in federally qualified health centers: A rapid qualitative study. J Community Psychol 2023; 51:2724-2740. [PMID: 37021464 PMCID: PMC10523852 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.23041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Implementing evidence-based interventions remains slow in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). The purpose of this study is to qualitatively examine the R = MC2 (Readiness = motivation × innovation specific capacity × general capacity) heuristic subcomponents in the context of implementing general and colorectal cancer screening (CRCS)-related practice changes in FQHCs. We conducted 17 interviews with FQHC employees to examine (1) experiences with successful or unsuccessful practice change efforts, (2) using approaches to promote CRCS, and (3) opinions about R = MC2 subcomponents. We conducted a rapid qualitative analysis to examine the frequency, depth, and spontaneity of subcomponents. Priority, compatibility, observability (motivation), intra- and interorganizational relationships (innovation-specific capacity), and organizational structure and resource utilization (general capacity) emerged as highly relevant. For example, organizational structure was described as related to an organization's open communication during meetings to help with scheduling procedures. The results contribute to understanding organizational readiness in the FQHC setting and can be helpful when identifying and prioritizing barriers and facilitators that affect implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuelle M Dias
- Department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Timothy J Walker
- Department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Derek W Craig
- Department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert Gibson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jacob Szeszulski
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Heather M Brandt
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | | | - Maria E Fernandez
- Department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA
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Adzrago D, Evans GS, Dias EM, Kwentua V, White GE, Wilkerson JM. Association of receiving opioid medication-assisted treatment with sexual identity and mental health/substance use disorder symptoms in a nationally representative sample of adults. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-2837899. [PMID: 37162987 PMCID: PMC10168441 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2837899/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Although the literature suggests that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, limited studies have assessed the prevalence or the association between MAT use and sexual identity, mental health, or substance use disorder among a nationally representative sample. We assessed the prevalence and association of opioid MAT use between sexual identity, depressive disorder symptoms, alcohol use dependence, and marijuana use dependence in the United States. Methods We used the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health public-use data on adults aged 18-64 years (N = 38,841) to conduct a weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 4.80% and 2.32% of the population identified as bisexual and lesbian/gay, respectively. About 0.31% (612,750 people) of the population reported receiving opioid MAT, 3.73% had alcohol use dependence, 1.42% had marijuana use dependence, and 9.13% had major depressive episode (MDE) symptoms. Of those who had received opioid MAT, 0.57% were bisexuals and 1.07% were lesbians/gays, 0.65% were people with alcohol use dependence, 2.32% with marijuana use dependence, and 1.59% with MDE symptoms. Lesbian/gay individuals were more likely to receive opioid MAT (AOR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.42, 8.25) compared to heterosexual individuals. The odds were higher for people with marijuana use dependence (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI = 1.47, 8.06) and MDE symptoms (AOR = 5.22, 95% CI = 3.46, 7.89) than their counterparts. Conclusions In this study, sexual minorities, people with MDE symptoms, and those dependent on marijuana use were more likely to receive opioid MAT, suggesting the need to investigate further opioid use disorder symptoms and their risk factors among these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Adzrago
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
| | | | - Emanuelle M Dias
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
| | - Victoria Kwentua
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
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McClam M, Workman L, Dias EM, Walker TJ, Brandt HM, Craig DW, Gibson R, Lamont A, Weiner BJ, Wandersman A, Fernandez ME. Using cognitive interviews to improve a measure of organizational readiness for implementation. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:93. [PMID: 36707829 PMCID: PMC9881511 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-09005-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organizational readiness is a key factor for successful implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs), but a valid and reliable measure to assess readiness across contexts and settings is needed. The R = MC2 heuristic posits that organizational readiness stems from an organization's motivation, capacity to implement a specific innovation, and its general capacity. This paper describes a process used to examine the face and content validity of items in a readiness survey developed to assess organizational readiness (based on R = MC2) among federally qualified health centers (FQHC) implementing colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) EBIs. METHODS We conducted 20 cognitive interviews with FQHC staff (clinical and non-clinical) in South Carolina and Texas. Participants were provided a subset of items from the readiness survey to review. A semi-structured interview guide was developed to elicit feedback from participants using "think aloud" and probing techniques. Participants were recruited using a purposive sampling approach and interviews were conducted virtually using Zoom and WebEx. Participants were asked 1) about the relevancy of items, 2) how they interpreted the meaning of items or specific terms, 3) to identify items that were difficult to understand, and 4) how items could be improved. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded in ATLAS.ti. Findings were used to revise the readiness survey. RESULTS Key recommendations included reducing the survey length and removing redundant or difficult to understand items. Additionally, participants recommended using consistent terms throughout (e.g., other units/teams vs. departments) the survey and changing pronouns (e.g., people, we) to be more specific (e.g., leadership, staff). Moreover, participants recommended specifying ambiguous terms (e.g., define what "better" means). CONCLUSION Use of cognitive interviews allowed for an engaged process to refine an existing measure of readiness. The improved and finalized readiness survey can be used to support and improve implementation of CRCS EBIs in the clinic setting and thus reduce the cancer burden and cancer-related health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria McClam
- grid.254567.70000 0000 9075 106XCenter for Applied Research and Evaluation, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA
| | - Lauren Workman
- grid.254567.70000 0000 9075 106XCenter for Applied Research and Evaluation, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA ,grid.254567.70000 0000 9075 106XDepartment of Health Services, Policy, and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA
| | - Emanuelle M. Dias
- grid.267308.80000 0000 9206 2401The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX USA
| | - Timothy J. Walker
- grid.267308.80000 0000 9206 2401The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX USA
| | - Heather M. Brandt
- grid.240871.80000 0001 0224 711XSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN USA
| | - Derek W. Craig
- grid.267308.80000 0000 9206 2401The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX USA
| | - Robert Gibson
- grid.410427.40000 0001 2284 9329Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | | | - Bryan J. Weiner
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | | | - Maria E. Fernandez
- grid.267308.80000 0000 9206 2401The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX USA
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Cruz HJ, Moreira JL, Stacey G, Dias EM, Hayes K, Looby D, Griffiths B, Carrondo MJ. Adaptation of BHK cells producing a recombinant protein to serum-free media and protein-free medium. Cytotechnology 2012; 26:59-64. [PMID: 22359007 DOI: 10.1023/a:1007951813755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work a recombinant BHK21 clone producing a fusion protein with potential application in tumour target therapy was adapted to five different serum-free media (SFM) and to a protein-free medium (PFM). Only the PFM did not require a gradual adaptation to cell growth in the absence of serum. All tested SFM required a gradual adaptation (up to 35 days). For the majority of the SFM tested, cell specific productivity was not affected by the decrease in serum concentration during adaptation; however, cell growth was significantly affected by the serum decrease. Both cell growth and productivity were increased when PFM SMIF6 was used instead of the control medium. Long term measurements (approximately 100 days) of cell specific productivity for PFM and the two best SFM showed that productivity was maintained. This indicates the media capability to be used in long term production processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Cruz
- IBET/ITQB -, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica/Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Apartado 12, P-2780, Oeiras, Portugal
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Dias EM, Lukas C, Landewé R, Fatenejad S, van der Heijde D. Reliability and sensitivity to change of the Simple Erosion Narrowing Score compared with the Sharp-van der Heijde method for scoring radiographs in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2007; 67:375-9. [PMID: 17644537 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2007.072785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the performance of a simplified scoring method for structural damage on radiographs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (the Simple Erosion Narrowing Score or SENS) with the Sharp-van der Heijde Score (SHS) as reference. METHOD We used the radiographic data from the Trial of Etanercept and Methotrexate with Radiographic Patient Outcomes (TEMPO trial). The SENS was derived from the crude SHS data. Inter-observer reliability for status scores and change scores was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients and by the Smallest Detectable Change method. The ability to discriminate between treatment groups was assessed by the Mann-Whitney U test. Stratifying the sensitivity to change and discriminative ability for different levels of disease severity assessed a potential ceiling effect. RESULTS Inter-observer reliability was similar for both methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients were higher for status scores than for change scores. The Smallest Detectable Change was 4.98 (1.1% of possible maximum score) for SHS and 2.28 (3.5%) for SENS. Sensitivity of SENS to detect progression above the Smallest Detectable Change, with reference SHS, ranged from 45.0 to 88.7%. Specificity ranged from 81.5 to 97.3%, and the kappa coefficient (between-method agreement) ranged from 0.58 to 0.66. Discriminative ability between treatment groups was good and similar for both methods. A ceiling effect could not be detected. CONCLUSIONS With regard to most of the tested properties, the performance of SENS is as good as that of SHS. This confirms that SENS is a valuable method, which may be feasible in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Dias
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Cruz HJ, Conradt HS, Dunker R, Peixoto CM, Cunha AE, Thomaz M, Burger C, Dias EM, Clemente J, Moreira JL, Rieke E, Carrondo MJT. Process development of a recombinant antibody/interleukin-2 fusion protein expressed in protein-free medium by BHK cells. J Biotechnol 2002; 96:169-83. [PMID: 12039533 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1656(02)00028-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The production, purification and stability of quality (in terms of integrity and glycosylation) of an antibody/interleukin-2 fusion protein with potential application in tumour-targeted therapy expressed in BHK21 cells are described. Consistency of the product throughout time was determined by analysis of glycosylation of the fusion protein using MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy and HPAEC-PAD combined with product integrity studies by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. These investigations showed consistent expression in terms of integrity and of three major oligosaccharide structures of the fusion protein after 62 generations. The data obtained at this stage indicated the suitability of the cell line for production purposes. Different approaches for the production of this protein were subsequently carried out. The relative productivity of the recombinant fusion protein and general performance of the cells in two different protein-free medium (PFM) culture systems, continuous chemostat and continuous perfusion using a Centritech centrifuge as a cell retention device, were studied. The results indicate that the chemostat culture resulted in more stable and controllable nutrient environment, which could indicate better product consistency, in accordance with what has been observed under serum-containing conditions, in relation to the perfusion culture. Finally, product obtained from the chemostat culture was analysed and purified. The purification process was optimised with an increase in the overall yield from 38 to 70% being obtained, a significant improvement with important consequences for the implementation of an industrial-scale culture system. In conclusion, it was possible to produce and purify the recombinant antibody/interleukin-2 fusion protein assuring the quality and stability of the product in terms of integrity and glycosylation. Therefore, a candidate production process was established.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Cruz
- IBET/ITQB-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica/Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Apartado 12, P-2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
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Cruz HJ, Peixoto CM, Nimtz M, Alves PM, Dias EM, Moreira JL, Carrondo MJ. Metabolic shifts do not influence the glycosylation patterns of a recombinant fusion protein expressed in BHK cells. Biotechnol Bioeng 2000; 69:129-39. [PMID: 10861392 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0290(20000720)69:2<129::aid-bit2>3.0.co;2-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BHK-21 cells expressing a human IgG-IL2 fusion protein, with potential application in tumor-targeted therapy, were grown under different nutrient conditions in a continuous system for a time period of 80 days. At very low-glucose (< 0.5 mM) or glutamine (< 0. 2 mM) concentrations, a shift toward an energetically more efficient metabolism was observed. Cell-specific productivity was maintained under metabolically shifted growth conditions and at the same time an almost identical intracellular ATP content, obtained by in vivo (31)P NMR experiments, was observed. No significant differences in the oligosaccharide structures were detected from the IgG-IL2 fusion protein preparations obtained by growing cells under the different metabolic states. By using oligosaccharide mapping and MALDI/TOF-MS, only neutral diantennary oligosaccharides with or without core alpha1-6-linked fucose were detected that carried no, one or two beta1-4-linked galactose. Although the O-linked oligosaccharide structures that are present in the IL2 moiety of the protein were studied with less detail, the data obtained from the hydrazinolysis procedure point to the presence of the classical NeuAcalpha2-3Galbeta1-3GalNAc structure. Here, it is shown that under different defined cellular metabolic states, the quality of a recombinant product in terms of O- and N-linked oligosaccharides is stable, even after a prolonged cultivation period. Moreover, unaffected intracellular ATP levels under the different metabolic states were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Cruz
- IBET/ITQB- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica / Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Apartado 12, P-2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
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Abstract
In this work, a BHK21 clone producing a fusion protein consisting of a recombinant human IgG molecule with a cytokine tail, growing in a protein-free medium, was used to test several alternatives to avoid the use of serum for trypsin inactivation, currently used in cell dislodging. These included (1) trypsin inactivated with soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI); (2) cell dissociation solution instead of trypsin; (3) dispase instead of trypsin; (4) trypsin inactivated with fetal calf serum (positive control); (5) non-inactivated trypsin (negative control). Use of a centrifugation step was also tested for each alternative. Results indicate that the best method regarding cell growth, viability and adherent fraction is to use trypsin inactivated with STI followed by a centrifugation step. For all methods tested, the utilization of a centrifugation step always led to improved results. The optimal proportion for total trypsin inactivation is 1:1 trypsin (0.2% w/v) to STI (1 mg ml-1). equivalent to 2 mg trypsin to 1 mg STI. No toxic effect was observed for STI at the concentrations used. Long-term subculturing with this new, alternative dislodging method did not affect cell growth, viability and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Cruz
- IBET/ITQB-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
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