Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Disparities in healthcare frequently stem from variations in socioeconomic status (SES). This study investigated the influence of socioeconomic factors such as gender, race, age, and geography on time to treatment initiation (TTI) and survival outcomes. The study analyzed SES data, including age, race, geography, and insurance status, from GI cancer patients treated at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas (BHSET) from 2012 to 2017. Logistic regression was performed for risk association. The primary outcomes were survival time and TTI. Of 517 GI cancer patients, 359 had colorectal cancer. African Americans had higher treatment delays (odds ratio [OR]: 5.89, confidence interval [CI]: 4.02–8.62) than Caucasians (OR: 0.16, CI: 0.11–0.23). Patients >80 years had poorer survival (OR: 2.91, CI: 1.80–4.72) than younger ones. Those living 30 + miles from BHSET had longer TTI (OR: 1.85, CI: 1.19–2.87), especially within the colorectal cancer cohort (OR: 2.20, CI: 1.29–3.74). Medicare Advantage was linked to longer TTI (OR: 1.50, CI: 1.01–2.23). Medicare patients without supplemental insurance had lower survival overall (OR: 1.79, CI: 1.05–3.06) and among colorectal cancer patients (OR: 2.13, CI: 1.14–3.98). Addressing SES disparities and implementing targeted interventions is imperative to ensure equitable access to timely and effective cancer care.

Introduction: Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) has been proposed as an alternative mode of mechanical ventilation for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), aiming to enhance oxygenation while minimizing ventilator-induced lung injury. However, its comparative efficacy and safety relative to conventional ventilation strategies remain unclear. As such, this systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate clinical and physiological outcomes associated with APRV in ARDS patients. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across online databases through June 2025. Eligible studies included investigations comparing APRV with conventional ventilation modes in adult ARDS patients. Pooled mean differences and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random-effects models. Results: Nine studies encompassing 1921 patients met inclusion criteria. APRV was found to significantly improve oxygenation early in treatment, reflected by higher PaO ₂ /FiO ₂ ratios on Days 1 and 3, and was associated with shorter ICU length of stay and more ventilator-free days compared with conventional ventilation. Plateau pressures were also notably reduced at Days 3 and 7, suggesting a lung-protective effect. However, no significant differences were observed in ICU or hospital mortality, total ventilator duration, or overall hospital length of stay. Conclusion: These findings imply that APRV is able to enhance early oxygenation and improve ICU-related outcomes in ARDS without increasing mortality risk. While its physiologic advantages and potential lung-protective characteristics support its use as a viable alternative ventilation strategy, further large-scale trials are needed to confirm these findings and define optimal implementation protocols.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of female cancer-related death in the US. Time to treatment initiation is often critical for improving cancer outcomes. Socioeconomic status (SES) is increasingly recognized as influential in cancer treatment efficacy. This retrospective cohort study investigated associations between SES and delayed breast cancer treatment initiation across treatment modalities in Southeast Texas. Logistic regression models assessed the associations between delays and socioeconomic or clinical characteristics among 609 patients. Regarding overall treatment, males, unmarried patients, younger patients, and Medicaid users experienced increased delay odds, while females, widows, and Medicare users experienced decreased odds. For chemotherapy, Tricare coverage was associated with excessive delay odds. Regarding surgical intervention, African Americans, unmarried patients, younger patients, and Medicaid users experienced increased delay odds, while Caucasians, older patients, and Medicare users experienced decreased odds. For radiation therapy, divorcees and those with Medicare and Medicaid eligibility experienced increased delay odds. Regarding hormone therapy, younger patients and Medicaid users experienced increased delay odds, while older patients and Medicare users experienced decreased odds. For immunotherapy, unmarried patients experienced increased delay odds, while being married conferred lower odds. These results indicate that certain SES factors significantly predict treatment delays in breast cancer care.