Glucarpidase for Treatment of High-Dose Methotrexate Toxicity.

High-dose methotrexate (MTX) results in high rates of acute kidney injury (AKI), neutropenia, and hepatotoxicity. Glucarpidase is a recombinant enzyme that cleaves MTX, but clinical data supporting its use are scarce. We examined the association between glucarpidase administration and outcomes in adults with MTX-AKI from 28 cancer centers across the U.

The inability to predict futility in hemorrhaging trauma patients using 4-hour transfusion volumes and rates.

Background: Blood shortages and utilization stewardship have motivated the trauma community to evaluate futility cutoffs during massive transfusions (MTs). Recent single-center studies have confirmed meaningful survival in ultra-MT (≥20 U) and super-MT (≥50 U), while others advocate for earlier futility cut points. We sought to evaluate whether transfusion volume and intensity cut points could predict 100% mortality in a multicenter analysis.

Flow-Through Flaps as a Robust Method for Advanced Free Flap Reconstruction in the Head and Neck: A Multi-Institutional Experience.

Background: Flow-through flaps (FTFs) are an advanced technique in which a free flap is anastomosed to the pedicle of another free flap to reconstruct extensive head and neck defects when recipient vessels are scarce.

Methods: A multi-institutional cohort of FTFs used for head and neck reconstruction were reviewed. For comparison, FTF outcomes were compared to free flaps that required vein grafts (VG) to reach distant recipient vessels.

Biotène Versus HydraSmile for Radiation-Induced Xerostomia: Randomized Double-Blind Cross-Over Study.

Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of 2 artificial saliva substitutes (Biotène vs HydraSmile) in the symptomatic management of radiation-induced xerostomia.

Study Design: Randomized double-blind cross-over study.

Setting: Single tertiary care academic institution.

Overcoming Challenges in Retrieving an Encapsulated Rear Tip Extensor During Conversion From Malleable to Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Surgery: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Insertion of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is generally regarded as a safe procedure, with low rates of complications. However, when complications do arise, they can pose significant challenges to both patients and surgeons. Patient optimization and adherence to specific intraoperative protocols are crucial in mitigating the risk of surgical complications.

Analysis of Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Match Results: 2016 to 2022.

: Objective data examining match trends and applicant characteristics are in high demand given the stakes involved with the orthopaedic surgery match. Our study sought to analyse the trends among matched orthopaedic surgery applicants to clarify how medical students can best prepare for and assess their chances of a successful orthopaedic residency match. : We used the publicly available National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) tool to gather characteristics for matched and unmatched orthopaedic surgery applicants from 2016 to 2022 and compare the probability of matching for all applicants versus each subgroup of reported applicant characteristics using risk difference (RD) and two-tailed p-values.

Efficacy and safety of iclepertin (BI 425809) with adjunctive computerized cognitive training in patients with schizophrenia.

Unlabelled: Despite significant patient burden, there are no approved pharmacotherapies to treat symptoms of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS). This double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group Phase II trial assessed the efficacy and safety of pharmacological augmentation of at-home computerized cognitive training (CCT) with iclepertin (BI 425809, a glycine transporter-1 inhibitor). Participants with schizophrenia (aged 18-50 years) on stable antipsychotic therapy, who were compliant with CCT during the run-in period, were enrolled.

(Black Cumin) Oil: A Case Report and Analysis Exploring Severe Cutaneous Manifestations and Implications for Patient Care.

In the past three decades, there has been a remarkable surge in the popularity and use of herbal medicines. However, despite their widespread use, herbal remedies remain inadequately regulated, exposing consumers to potential adverse effects. This case series examines eight patients with severe cutaneous manifestations resulting from the topical application of (black cumin) oil, emphasizing the critical significance of patch testing, thorough history-taking regarding exposures and herbal supplement usage, and the necessity for enhanced regulatory measures.

Interleukin-2 receptor signaling acts as a checkpoint that influences the distribution of regulatory T cell subsets.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) require IL-2 for survival in the periphery, yet how IL-2 shapes Treg heterogeneity remains poorly defined. Here we show that inhibition of IL-2R signaling in post-thymic Tregs leads to a preferential early loss of circulating Tregs (cTregs). Gene expression of cTregs was more dependent on IL-2R signaling than effector Tregs (eTregs).

"Developing a manual clinical trials screening process in a diverse southern gynecologic oncology practice".

Objective: There is no standard clinical trial screening process in gynecologic oncology. In our low resource, highly diverse gynecologic oncology patient population, we sought to create an equitable, adaptable, manual screening process.

Methods: Our objective is to describe our clinical trial screening process and success in improving trial enrollment.

Disparities in Utilization of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Among Older Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A SEER-Medicare Analysis.

Purpose: In the United States, there are disparities in access to care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on the basis of socioeconomic and racial/ethnic factors. This study investigates the association between race/ethnicity and the utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy among older patients with advanced NSCLC (aNSCLC).

Methods: This retrospective study used data from the SEER-Medicare-linked database.

Comparison between Spectral-domain and Swept-source OCT Angiography Scans for the Measurement of Hyperreflective Foci in Age-related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: Spectral-domain OCT angiography (SD-OCTA) scans were used in an algorithm developed for swept-source OCT angiography (SS-OCTA) scans to determine if SD-OCTA scans yielded similar results for the measurement of hyperreflective foci (HRF) in intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD).

Design: Retrospective study.

Participants: Forty eyes from 35 patients with iAMD.

A Glucose Fraction Independent of Insulin Secretion: Implications for Type 1 Diabetes Progression in Autoantibody-Positive Cohorts.

We assessed whether there is an impactful glucose fraction independent of insulin secretion in autoantibody-positive individuals. Baseline 2-h oral glucose tolerance test data from the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention (TNPTP; = 6190) and Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1 (DPT-1; = 705) studies were used. Linear regression of area under the curve (AUC) glucose versus Index60 was performed to identify two fractions: dependent (dAUCGLU) or independent (iAUCGLU) of insulin secretion.

Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Digital Therapeutics for Amblyopia.

Purpose: To evaluate the cost-utility of Luminopia and CureSight as therapy for amblyopia compared to current common amblyopic treatments such as glasses, atropine drops, and patching.

Design: Cost analysis based on data from published randomized control trials (RCTs).

Subjects: None; based on data from the Luminopia, CureSight and atropine RCTs.

Belzutifan plus cabozantinib as first-line treatment for patients with advanced clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (LITESPARK-003): an open-label, single-arm, phase 2 study.

Background: Belzutifan, a first-in-class HIF-2α inhibitor, has shown antitumour activity as monotherapy and in combination with cabozantinib in patients with previously treated advanced kidney cancer. The phase 2 LITESPARK-003 study was designed to determine the antitumour activity and safety of belzutifan in combination with cabozantinib in patients with advanced clear-cell renal cell carcinoma that was previously untreated (cohort 1) or previously treated with immunotherapy (cohort 2). Here, we report results from cohort 1 of this clinical trial.

Self-reported longitudinal COVID-19 vaccination reactogenicity profiles in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Preventing severe COVID-19 associated outcomes continues to be a priority for persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). We previously reported in an interim analysis that short-term reactions to the first and second SARS-CoV-2 vaccines experienced by PwMS were mostly self-limiting and similar to reactions experienced by the general population.

Objectives: First, to report short-term reactogenicity experienced by PwMS in relation to the first through fourth SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Fixation Methods, Complications, and Outcomes After Primary Fixation of Isolated Chondral Fragments in the Knee: A Systematic Review.

Background: Knee injuries resulting in purely cartilaginous defects are rare, and controversy remains regarding the reliability of chondral-only fixation.

Purpose: To systematically review the literature for fixation methods and outcomes after primary fixation of chondral-only defects within the knee.

Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 5.

Economic impact of prolonged tracheal extubation times on operating room time overall and for subgroups of surgeons: a historical cohort study.

Background: Prolonged tracheal extubation time is defined as an interval ≥ 15 min from the end of surgery to extubation. An earlier study showed that prolonged extubations had a mean 12.4 min longer time from the end of surgery to operating room (OR) exit.

Functional and Cosmetic Considerations in Saddle Nose Deformity Repair.

The saddle nose deformity is associated with dorsal collapse and can have both function and cosmetic problems. The saddle nose can cause nasal obstruction by narrowing the nasal cavities, eliciting dynamic internal and external nasal valve narrowing, and abnormally widening the internal and external nasal valves altering airflow dynamics, sinonasal passageways, and olfaction. The saddle nose is challenging to treat due to skin contracture, lack of donor tissue, and difficulties in esthetic integration.

Blood-based diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis: a prospective cohort study in South Africa and Dominican Republic.

Objectives: Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is complicated by challenges in obtaining invasive respiratory specimens that frequently contain few Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bacilli. We report the diagnostic performance of an Mtb antigen-derived peptide (MAP-TB) assay and its ability to monitor TB treatment response.

Methods: Study cohorts enrolled children who presented with presumptive TB at two hospitals in South Africa from 2012 to 2017 (157 children aged <13 years) and at community-based clinics in the Dominican Republic from 2019 to 2023 (101 children aged <18 years).

Donor Type Does Not Impact Late Graft Failure Following Reduced Intensity Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide Based Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis.

Background: Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is a commonly used graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, particularly in the setting of haploidentical (haplo) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The rate of graft failure has been reported to be as high as 12-20% in haplo-HCT recipients using PTCy. The objective of this study was to determine if donor type influenced the risk of late graft failure following RIC HCT using PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis.

Enhancing chemotherapy response prediction via matched colorectal tumor-organoid gene expression analysis and network-based biomarker selection.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) presents significant challenges in chemotherapy response prediction due to its molecular heterogeneity. Current methods often fail to account for the complexity and variability inherent in individual tumors.

Methods: We developed a novel approach using matched CRC tumor and organoid gene expression data.