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  • Increasing Trainee Engagement in Surgery Societies: The Society of Asian Academic Surgeons Experience. The Journal of surgical research Chow, B. E., Narayan, R. R., Shao, C. C., Lee, T. C., Fong, Z. V., Kothari, A. N. 2024; 296: 425-430

    Abstract

    INTRODUCTION: Surgical societies provide a plethora of resources for trainees; however, these opportunities are often underused due to suboptimal guidance, sponsorship, or mentorship. Here, we present the Society of Asian Academic Surgeons (SAAS) experience in enhancing the trainee experience and engagement in a surgical society focused on professional development.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an interactive idea-generating session during the 2022 SAAS Conference with all Associate Members (trainees) present in Honolulu, HI. Recurrent themes, concepts, and ideas/suggestions were carefully considered when planning the next SAAS Conference in Baltimore, MD. We employed a more targeted approach to trainee engagement at the 2023 SAAS Conference, with breakout sessions geared toward various levels of trainees, in addition to increased social events and networking opportunities. We obtained feedback from trainees in attendance through an electronic survey and informal conversations with faculty and Associate Members.RESULTS: Opportunities for surgical subspecialty networking was the most well-received portion of our formal Career Development program. The majority of trainees in attendance were medical students or junior residents who valued the exposure to junior faculty and those in leadership positions at academic institutions. The addition of a group text for easy communication among trainees and informal social activities for Associate Member networking among themselves were crucial in improving the overall conference experience.CONCLUSIONS: Opportunities to maximize trainee engagement in surgical societies are heightened during in-person conferences. Targeted session topics, guided networking opportunities, and creating channels for easier communication along with more social events have enhanced the overall experience for aspiring and current surgical trainees.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jss.2024.01.009

    View details for PubMedID 38320361

  • PREDICTORS OF RENAL RECOVERY AND SURVIVAL OUTCOMES IN LIVER TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS MEETING SLK ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Manikat, R., Kwong, A. J., Cheng, X., Chow, B., Bhargava, M., Achalu, S., Pham, T., Kim, W., Kwo, P. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2023: S240-S241
  • High neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is not independently associated with worse survival or recurrence in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma. Surgery Strong, E. A., Park, S. H., Ethun, C. G., Chow, B., King, D., Bedi, M., Charlson, J., Mogal, H., Tsai, S., Christians, K., Tran, T. B., Poultsides, G., Grignol, V., Howard, J. H., Tseng, J., Roggin, K. K., Chouliaras, K., Votanopoulos, K., Cullinan, D., Fields, R. C., Gamblin, T. C., Cardona, K., Clarke, C. N. 2020

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Soft tissue sarcomas are a heterogenous group of neoplasms without well-validated biomarkers. Cancer-related inflammation is a known driver of tumor growth and progression. Recent studies have implicated a high circulating neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a surrogate marker for the inflammatory tumor microenvironment and a poor prognosticator in multiple solid tumors, including colorectal and pancreatic cancers. The impact of circulating neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in soft tissue sarcomas has yet to be elucidated.METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing curative resection for primary or recurrent extremity soft tissue sarcomas at academic centers within the US Sarcoma Collaborative. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was calculated retrospectively in treatment-naive patients using blood counts at or near diagnosis.RESULTS: A high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (≥4.5) was associated with worse survival on univariable analysis in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcomas (hazard ratio 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.54-2.8; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, increasing age (hazard ratio 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.04; P < .001), American Joint Committee on Cancer T3 (hazard ratio 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-3.09; P= .011), American Joint Committee on Cancer T4 (hazard ratio 2.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-3.92; P= .001), high tumor grade (hazard ratio 4.56; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-9.45; P < .001), and radiotherapy (hazard ratio 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.82; P= .002) were independently predictive of overall survival, but a high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was not predictive of survival (hazard ratio 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.82; P= .22).CONCLUSION: Tumor inflammation as measured by high pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was not independently associated with overall survival in patients undergoing resection for extremity soft tissue sarcomas.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.surg.2020.06.017

    View details for PubMedID 32736869