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Known disparities exist amongst HPV-related cancer outcomes in urban versus;rural populations, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis.; Appalachia as a whole, and West Virginia specifically, present a unique opportunity for analysis of penile cancer in underserved areas with few tertiary care centers and large distances and travel time;between centers.; The majority of patients in the state seek urologic oncology care at two tertiary centers.; This study seeks;to examine;differences in penile cancer presentation (including TNM stage,;grade, pertinent risk factors,;presenting symptoms and duration), treatment, and outcomes;between rural and urban populations in West Virginia.; Identification of disparities is crucial in detecting disease;to provide earlier intervention and improve outcomes in a traditionally underserved population. Following approval from institutional review boards, 89;patients with biopsy-proven SCC of the penis treated at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) and West Virginia University over a fourteen-year period (2007-2022) were studied via retrospective chart review.; Distance and travel time from the respective tertiary care centers were collected based on zip code, and patients were stratified into urban and rural groups according to county based on the US Census Burea defition of Census Places >10,000.; T-stage, clinical node positivity, grade, risk factors (circumcision, smoking), primary tumor size and location, and treatment modality (chemotherapy, radiation, local therapy vs. partial penectomy vs. radical penectomy) and timing (symptom duration and time from presentation to surgery);were analyzed.; Patients were also followed post-operatively to assess the endpoints of death from penile cancer and local/nodal/distant recurrence.; Appropriate statistical tests were performed using SPSS. Patients;further from;tertiary care centers;(travel time) were more likely to undergo radical penectomy as primary therapy;(p=0.03), although advanced stage;(pT2 or greater) and clinical nodal status at diagnosis;did not increase;with travel time.; Those living;in counties classified as "urban";had higher BMI on average (p=0.004) and were more likely to present with a lesion on the penile shaft (p=0.06).; No significant;difference exists in stage or grade at diagnosis, other risk factors;(smoking status, circumcision), primary tumor size,;clinically palpable lymph nodes, radiation and chemotherapy use, symptom duration, or timing of therapy based on distance or travel time or when stratified based on rural/urban county of residence.; Patients were followed for a mean 32.8 months post-operatively and 30% exhibited local/nodal recurrence and 42% mortality.; Disease burden and stage appears greater in West Virginia when compared nationally. Penile cancer patients in West Virginia fare poorly when compared to allcomers in the US in terms of both disease at presentation, recurrence, and mortality.; Patients further from tertiary care center (travel time) are more likely to undergo radical penectomy as definitive therapy. This did not occur due to higher risk disease based on pT stage statistically, although anecdotally there does appear to be more disease >pT1b in rural populations. When stratified based on census definitions, rural patients had lower BMI and presented less often with disease of the penile shaft, suggesting they may opt for a definitive radical penectomy due to difficulties with healthcare access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the complex process of generational renewal (GR) in agriculture is essential for supporting the continuation of farming. This paper demonstrates how multiple factors, simultaneously and through their mutual interactions, influence GR and related individual decision-making processes. Results originated from 155 in-depth interviews performed on 85 farms in eleven European regions, and were triangulated with the literature. Our analysis, combining inductive and deductive approaches, revealed three conceptual phases (successor identity formation, farm succession process, and farm development) and fourteen factors important to understand GR. We elaborate how these factors interact, hence exert their impact on (one of) the phases in a complex and variable way. Implications highlight potential pitfalls and opportunities for attracting people into agriculture. Although policy-makers should be aware of their limited ability to affect GR by targeting the first phase, we propose some ideas that would complement current existing measures acting on the third phase. • Attracting people to farming demands profound understanding of generational renewal. • We study decisions relating to generational renewal on 85 farms in 11 EU regions. • Fourteen factors can impact three phases of the farm generational renewal process. • Current policy might miss its goals because of targeting the wrong phase. • Future policy must better address relevant (interplay of) impact factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central line–associated bloodstream infection is a complication with serious consequences and biofilm development is thought to play a role. This study evaluated the impact of sterilization technique on central venous catheter (CVC) biofilm formation. This pilot study was conducted in the surgical intensive care unit of a tertiary care facility. All CVCs were inserted with chlorhexidine preparation (CHG). CHG-only CVCs were compared to the use of CHG with chlorhexidine gluconate–impregnated sponge (CHGIS). After removal, a punch biopsy of the CVC was taken at the noted skin level. Scanning electron microscopy identified the stage of biofilm. Confocal laser scanning microscopy with SYPRO stain confirmed the presence of glycocalyx and a volumetric analysis was completed. Twenty four CVCs were collected. Indications for line placement were similar, with 42% placed for sepsis in the CHGIS group and 33% in the CHG group. There were no positive line cultures or bacteremia and 2/12 CHGIS patients had candidemia. CHGIS lines were in place for a mean of 91 h, compared to 60 h with CHG alone (P = 0.19). The interior of CVCs had lower stage biofilms than the exterior and lacked stage 4 biofilms. Stage 4 biofilms were present externally on 50% of CVCs (8/12 CHG and 4/12 CHGIS). Stage 3 biofilms were present on 7/12 CHG and 6/12 CHGIS interior samples. Volume analysis found an increase in biofilm and glycocalyx in CHGIS compared to CHG samples. This study identified biofilms on both surfaces of CVCs. No significant difference in biofilm formation was found based on a sterilization technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]