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The National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Dr. Berry $2.8 million to lead the first prospective international retinoblastoma liquid biopsy study to date LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Recently, a researcher at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles developed a new way to diagnose retinoblastoma by sampling the fluid at the front of the eye. These liquid biopsies also offer genetic and chromosomal information, which gives a more complete picture of each child’s disease. Now CHLA will lead an international liquid biopsy retinoblastoma study, the first of its kind. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Jesse Berry, MD, Director of Ocular Oncology and the Retinoblastoma Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles awarded $2.8 million to lead the first prospective international retinoblastoma liquid biopsy study to date. (Photo: Business Wire) Jesse Berry, MD, is the Director of Ocular Oncology and the Retinoblastoma Program at CHLA. Once strictly a clinician, Dr. Berry transitioned to research with the goal of finding a better way to diagnose retinoblastoma. This cancer—which affects the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye—is extremely aggressive and can result in loss of one or both eyes if not treated quickly. But timely treatment depends on a timely and accurate diagnosis. Most cancers are diagnosed with a biopsy: An oncologist samples tumor cells and performs various tests to confirm the type of cancer. Unfortunately, this cannot be done with retinoblastoma. “It isn’t a solid mass, like some cancers,” says Dr. Berry. “It’s like a thick liquid, and it’s difficult to physically get to.” Attempts to directly biopsy the tumor, she explains, can do more harm than good, potentially causing cancer cells to spread. Not only does this make diagnosing the cancer difficult, but it also prevents researchers from studying the cancer cells, a necessary process in understanding the disease and advancing treatments. Dr. Berry had the idea to examine the aqueous humor, the fluid inside the eye itself. “The last five years have been really exciting in retinoblastoma research,” says Dr. Berry. “We use a tiny amount of fluid—100 microliters, about half the size of a green pea—and from that we get a trove of information, things that were impossible to see before. We can see genetic mutations, chromosomal aberrations. We can diagnose retinoblastoma at a molecular level.” This provides oncologists with a very specific map of each child’s disease. “There are a few specific factors that come up in these biopsies,” she says, “markers that we suspect are bad players, leading to a more severe disease.” Indeed, this is what Dr. Berry has confirmed in studies involving CHLA patient samples. “But we need to really ramp up this research so we can help kids everywhere,” says Dr. Berry. “We need to look at a much larger data set.” This summer, Dr. Berry’s team will do just that, leading an international research study. The National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Dr. Berry $2.8 million to lead the first prospective international retinoblastoma liquid biopsy study to date. The study will include samples from 18 centers, including the largest retinoblastoma center in Canada. All material will be processed and studied at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, under the direction of Dr. Berry, who is the sole principal investigator named on the grant. Children will be followed for a minimum of two years, so researchers can examine samples for possible cancer recurrence. Because tumors return in approximately 50% of retinoblastoma patients, this information can be lifesaving. “We know that detecting a cancer as early as possible gives a child the best chance,” says Dr. Berry. “In continuing to take biopsies from these children, we can treat any recurrences early on, even before they’re visible to a clinician upon examination.” The results of Dr. Berry’s forthcoming study will help shape the next phase of her research. “Right now, we’re in this position where we see very strong data,” she says, “and we need to ensure that what we’re seeing is also represented in the international population.” Then, says Dr. Berry, the team has plans to develop a clinical trial to evolve the standard of care for diagnosing and treating retinoblastoma—and link specific treatments to the information identified in the liquid biopsy. About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is at the forefront of pediatric medicine, offering acclaimed care to children from across the world, the country and the greater Southern California region. Founded in 1901, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is the largest provider of care for children in Los Angeles County, the No. 1 pediatric hospital in California and the Pacific region, and is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s Honor Roll of Best Children’s Hospitals. Clinical expertise spans the pediatric care continuum for newborns to young adults, from everyday preventive medicine to the most medically complex cases. Inclusive, compassionate, child- and family-friendly clinical care is led by physicians who are faculty members of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Physicians translate the new discoveries, treatments and cures proven through the work of scientists in The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles—among the top 10 children’s hospitals for National Institutes of Health funding—to bring answers to families faster. The hospital also is home to one of the largest training programs for pediatricians in the United States. To learn more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter, and visit our blog at CHLA.org/blog. View source version on businesswire.com: Contacts Marlen Bugarin mbugarin@chla.usc.edu Source: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Smart Multimedia Gallery Photo Jesse Berry, MD, Director of Ocular Oncology and the Retinoblastoma Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles awarded $2.8 million to lead the first prospective international retinoblastoma liquid biopsy study to date. (Photo: Business Wire) Logo View this news release and multimedia online at:

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America hosted a child safety seat check and pedestrian safety event at its national headquarters in Fountain Valley, California with Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). This event is part of Hyundai's expanded partnership with CHLA, which will enable more families in Los Angeles and Orange Counties to participate in consumer education events through CHLA's Injury Prevention Program. Through the partnership, the Injury Prevention Program provides guidance to attendees on best safety practices to mitigate two of the top leading causes of injury and death in children – motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian injuries. Continue Reading Hyundai and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Host Child Safety Seat Check and Pedestrian Safety Event Hyundai and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Host Child Safety Seat Check and Pedestrian Safety Event Hyundai and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Host Child Safety Seat Check and Pedestrian Safety Event "We are proud to continue growing our partnership with CHLA by expanding the child safety seat and pedestrian safety programming to Orange County—at our very own Hyundai Motor America regional headquarters," said Brian Latouf, global chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor Company. "There is nothing more important to us at Hyundai then making sure our customers, employees and other road users are safe. With this event, we hope to help more families and Hyundai team members have immediate access to the knowledge and support they need to keep their kids safe, both in driving and walking on the streets." The two-part event featured both a child safety seat check and a pedestrian safety training at the Hyundai national headquarters. Families were invited to receive free car seat and booster seat checks by nationally certified child passenger safety technicians (CPST). These technicians checked for manufacturer recalls, expiration dates and proper fit of the seat for children. Additionally, some families received replacement seats if needed. Families of 1st-4th graders were also invited to experience the LA Street Smarts set – a mobile, life-size set with active traffic signals and interactive components – that teaches children proper pedestrian safety techniques, including helping understand the hazards associated with walking near streets. This partnership is part of Hyundai's corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, which seeks to improve the well-being of society through supporting the health and safety of the community. Children's Hospital Los Angeles Children's Hospital Los Angeles is at the forefront of pediatric medicine, offering acclaimed care to children from across the world, the country, and the greater Southern California region. Founded in 1901, Children's Hospital Los Angeles is the largest provider of care for children in Los Angeles County, the No. 1 pediatric hospital in California and the Pacific region, and is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the nation on U.S. News & World Report's Honor Roll of Best Children's Hospitals. Clinical expertise spans the pediatric care continuum for newborns to young adults, from everyday preventive medicine to the most medically complex cases. Inclusive, compassionate, child- and family-friendly clinical care is led by physicians who are faculty members of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Physicians translate the new discoveries, treatments and cures proven through the work of scientists in The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles—among the top 10 children's hospitals for National Institutes of Health funding—to bring answers to families faster. The hospital also is home to one of the largest training programs for pediatricians in the United States. To learn more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter, and visit our blog at CHLA.org/blog. Hyundai Hope Hyundai Hope is a corporate social responsibility initiative from Hyundai Motor North America, committed to the principal of Progress for Humanity and the goal of improving the wellbeing of society. Hyundai Hope dedicates time and supplies resources to nonprofit organizations that support the health and safety of individuals and foster positive growth in communities. For more information, visit . Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit . Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

MONDAY, July 17, 2023 -- Real-world physician pay-for-performance (P4P) multicomponent interventions are associated with a significant reduction in antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) at safety-net hospitals, according to a study published online June 12 in the American Journal of Managed Care . Richard K. Leuchter, M.D., from the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and colleagues conducted a nonrandomized intervention at two large academic safety-net hospitals: Los Angeles County+University of Southern California (LAC+USC) and Olive View-UCLA (OV-UCLA) to examine the effects of P4P-motivated interventions to reduce antibiotic prescriptions. Five staggered Choosing Wisely-based interventions were launched in combination (audit and feedback, clinician education, suggested alternatives, procalcitonin, and public commitment) for safety-net patients with ARTIs. The researchers found that the mean antibiotic prescribing rate decreased among 3,583 consecutive patients with ARTIs: from 35.9 to 22.9 percent at LAC+USC and from 48.7 to 27.3 percent at OV-UCLA after the intervention (adjusted odds ratios, 0.60 and 0.81, respectively). There were decreases in Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set-inappropriate prescribing rates from 28.9 to 19.7 percent at LAC+USC and from 40.9 to 12.5 percent at OV-UCLA (adjusted odds ratios, 0.69 and 0.72, respectively). No evidence of unintended consequences was seen. "This study provides real-world evidence that these types of behavioral interventions can reduce antibiotic overuse in less-well resourced patients without causing unintended harm such as decreased appropriate antibiotic use," Leuchter said in a statement. Abstract/Full Text Posted July 2023