Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Real-World Study of Biologics and Sinus Surgery Use for Managing Nasal Polyposis.

Background/aim: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a multisystemic disease associated with nasal polyposis. Multiple biologics are used for managing EGPA, including some approved for nasal polyps (NP). This study investigated real-world biologic prescription patterns for EGPA and their impact on NP and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) use.

Single- versus two-test criteria for cognitive impairment: associations with CSF and imaging markers in former American football players.

 Cognitive impairment is a core feature of traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES), the putative clinical syndrome of chronic traumatic encephalopathy-a neuropathological disease associated with repetitive head impacts (RHI). Careful operationalization of cognitive impairment is essential to improving the diagnostic specificity and accuracy of TES criteria. We compared single- versus two-test criteria for cognitive impairment in their associations with CSF and imaging biomarkers in male former American football players.

Application of Deep Learning Accelerated Image Reconstruction in T2-weighted Turbo Spin Echo Imaging of the Brain at 7T.

Prolonged imaging times and motion sensitivity at 7T necessitate advancements in image acceleration techniques. This study evaluates a 7T deep-learning (DL)-based image reconstruction using a deep neural network trained on 7T data, applied to T2-weighted turbo spin echo imaging. Raw k-space data from 30 consecutive clinical 7T brain MRI patients was reconstructed using both DL and standard methods.

Autoimmune encephalitis: recovery, residual symptoms and predictors of long-term sequelae.

Background: Data regarding long-term recovery from autoimmune encephalitis (AE) remain limited.

Methods: This retrospective observational study investigated outcomes in 182 patients who met the 2016 criteria for definite AE. Recovery data were available in 172 patients.

Performance on the Concussion Balance Test Is Indicative of Time to Recovery in Athletes Following Sports-Related Concussion: An Exploratory Analysis.

Objective: Sports-related concussions (SRCs) are commonly occurring injuries among athletic and recreationally active populations. SRCs can result in vestibular dysfunction that should resolve before returning to activity. It has been suggested that vestibular impairment is a factor that may influence recovery time.

Gaze Stability Test Asymmetry Before and After Individualized Rehabilitation in Youth Athletes With Concussion.

Context: Concussion causes physiological disruptions, including disruptions to the vestibular and visual systems, which can cause dizziness, imbalance, and blurry vision. The vestibular ocular reflex functions to maintain a stable visual field, which can be measured using the gaze stability test (GST).

Design: This preliminary study used retrospective chart review to examine changes in GST performance and asymmetry in a sample of 117 youth athletes with concussion (mean age = 14.

Teleguided photocoagulation treatments across continents with a remotely programmed laser for retinal diseases.

Diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion represent two prevalent vision-threatening retinal diseases. Retinal laser therapy still plays an important role in treating these conditions, but its successful administration often requires referral to specialized centers and retina experts. It is, therefore, essential to develop a new treatment methodology that enables patients to benefit from the expertise of specialists from reference centers.

Perianal angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia mimicking Kaposi sarcoma in a patient living with HIV.

A woman in her 70s with well-controlled HIV on antiretroviral therapy presented with a several-month history of an asymptomatic perianal lesion. Skin examination showed a 0.5-1 cm red-pink, shiny, exophytic papule with visible telangiectasias near the anal verge.

Artificial intelligence and transfusion education, research and practice: The view from the ISBT Clinical Transfusion Working Party.

Background And Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) has been gaining increasing interest in healthcare. During the 2024 International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Congress, the Clinical Transfusion Working Party (CTWP) conducted a session to explore the exciting intersection of AI in transfusion medicine (TM) practice, education and research. We report here the potential applications and the session outcome.

Claudin 18.2 Expression in 1,404 Digestive Tract Adenocarcinomas including 1,175 Colorectal Carcinomas: Distinct Colorectal Carcinoma Subtypes are Claudin 18.2 Positive.

Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) immunohistochemical expression can be used to select patients with gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas for zolbetuximab (IMAB362) therapy, a monoclonal antibody targeting CLDN18.

Tucatinib and trastuzumab in HER2-mutated metastatic breast cancer: a phase 2 basket trial.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2, also known as ERBB2) signaling promotes cell growth and differentiation, and is overexpressed in several tumor types, including breast, gastric and colorectal cancer. HER2-targeted therapies have shown clinical activity against these tumor types, resulting in regulatory approvals. However, the efficacy of HER2 therapies in tumors with HER2 mutations has not been widely investigated.

Outcomes of Coccidioides Seropositive Solid Organ Transplant Recipients After Self-discontinuation of Antifungal Prophylaxis: The EIA-IgM-only Conundrum.

Background: Solid organ transplant recipients are at risk of severe coccidioidomycosis and are given prophylaxis to mitigate the risk. Patients with seropositive testing typically receive lifelong prophylaxis; currently, this prophylaxis strategy includes patients who are positive only for IgM by enzyme immunoassay (EIA-IgM-only), although this result may be falsely positive.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at a large-volume transplant center in an endemic coccidioidomycosis region to compare outcomes of non-lung transplant recipients who were seropositive for Coccidioides but discontinued prophylaxis (case patients) to outcomes of patients who continued prophylaxis (controls).

PSMA+ Extracellular Vesicles are a Biomarker for SABR in Oligorecurrent Prostate Cancer Analysis from the STOMP-like and ORIOLE trial cohorts.

Purpose: Two randomized clinical trials (STOMP and ORIOLE) demonstrated that stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) can prolong ADT-free survival or progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with metachronous oligometastatic prostate cancer (omCSPC) patients. While most omCSPC patients have a more modest delay in progression, a small subset achieves a durable response following SABR. We investigated the prognostic and predictive value of circulating PSMA-positive extracellular vesicles (PSMA+EV) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in a biomarker correlative study using blood samples from three independent patient cohorts.

Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Attendees From a Large Health Care System During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Background: Few studies have evaluated home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) during the pandemic, compared to prepandemic center-based CR (CBCR), with respect to patient characteristics, participation rates, and its efficacy on clinical metrics, health-related quality of life (QoL), and modifiable risk factors.

Objectives: We aimed to describe patient characteristics and participation rates for those attending HBCR compared to patients who attended CBCR and compare the effects of HBCR vs CBCR on clinical metrics, health-related QoL, and modifiable risk factors in CR patients pre vs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study comparing 511 HBCR patients and 765 CBCR patients from the Mayo Clinic Health System.

Disparities in cardiac arrest mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease: A US-based epidemiological analysis.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases cardiac arrest (CA) risk because of renal and cardiovascular interactions.

Methods: Using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data from 1999 to 2020, we analyzed CKD-related CA mortality and the impact of social vulnerability index (SVI).

Results: We identified 336 494 CKD-related CA deaths, with stable age-adjusted mortality rates over time.

Prolactin-induced sensitization of trigeminal nociceptors promotes migraine co-morbidity in endometriosis.

Background: Women with endometriosis are more likely to have migraine. The mechanisms underlying this co-morbidity are unknown. Prolactin, a neurohormone secreted and released into circulation from the anterior pituitary, can sensitize sensory neurons from female, but not male, rodents, monkeys and human donors.

Cell type specific differences in transcriptome profiles of adipose derived stem cells and vaginal fibroblasts in patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

This study examined the molecular phenotypes of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and vaginal fibroblasts (VFBs) and assessed whether pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects their biological properties. We performed RNA sequencing of paired ASCs and VFBs from six patients with POP and six controls (CTRL). The transcriptomes of POP and CTRL in either ASCs or VFBs were compared (DESeq2, false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.

Amniotic Tissue Injections Are an Effective Alternative to Corticosteroid Injections for Pain Relief and Function in Patients With Severe Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Prospective Study.

Introduction: The use of corticosteroid injections for short-term pain relief for knee osteoarthritis can have deleterious adverse effects. Amniotic tissue has shown promise in vitro; therefore, this study compared a morcellized injectable amniotic tissue allograft to corticosteroid injection.

Methods: Eighty-one patients with symptomatic severe knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 to 4) were prospectively randomized to either a double-blinded single injection of BioDRestore (Integra LifeSciences; n = 39) or triamcinolone acetonide (n = 42).

Light-dark shift promotes colon carcinogenesis through accelerated colon aging.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, with rising prevalence among younger adults. Several lifestyle factors, particularly disruptions in circadian rhythms by light-dark (LD) shifts, are known to increase CRC risk. Epidemiological studies previously showed LD-shifts are associated with increased risk of CRC.

Continuous Mechanical Suction Use During Chronic Total Occlusion Revascularization.

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is high risk compared to non-CTO PCI. Iatrogenic coronary artery hematoma formation is a common occurrence during CTO PCI, impairing true lumen visualization. We describe the use of a continuous mechanical suction (CMS) device in 2 applications in which it was used for successful subintimal hematoma decompression and distal vessel re-entry.

The Dermatologic Oral Examination and Biopsy: A Guide for Incorporation into Everyday Practice.

Many dermatologic and systemic disorders present with oral manifestations. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve patient outcomes. Medical, dermatology, and dentistry training in disorders of the oral mucosa is significantly lacking and has created a practice gap in diagnosing and treating oral mucosal disorders.