Stentplasty for treating symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease following failure of medical therapy.

Purpose: Endovascular treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) remains challenging due to procedural risks and stroke recurrence. Previous trials have favored aggressive medical therapy. In patients refractory to medical therapy, 'stentplasty' using expandable and retrievable devices may provide a safer alternative to balloon angioplasty by allowing controlled submaximal vessel dilation without flow arrest.

How Do Patient Outcomes in Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large-Core Stroke Vary Based on Neuroimaging Modalities Used for Patient Selection? A Multicenter Multinational Study.

The role of different imaging modalities-non-contrast CT (NCCT), CT perfusion (CTP), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-in selecting patients with large-core stroke for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a subject of ongoing debate. This study aims to determine whether patients with large-core acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing EVT triaged with CTP or DWI in addition to NCCT had different clinical outcomes compared to those only triaged with NCCT. We queried the Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry (STAR) for patients enrolled between 2014 and 2023 who presented with anterior-circulation AIS and large ischemic core (ASPECTS < 6) who underwent EVT in 41 stroke centers in the USA, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Novel use of carboplatin, etoposide and durvalumab as neoadjuvant therapy in treatment of small cell bladder cancer.

Small cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB) is a rare and aggressive variant of bladder cancer requiring multimodal treatment. We present a case of an 82-year-old male with SCCB with bulky pelvic adenopathy treated with a novel neoadjuvant combination of carboplatin, etoposide, and durvalumab with complete response of the small cell component. We also describe a rare complication of retinopathy resulting from this treatment.

Heart failure in patients with recently diagnosed atrial fibrillation: findings from the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase III.

Aims: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is often coexisting in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but the clinical epidemiology of this association is still uncertain. We aimed to analyse characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients with and without CHF, in a real-world cohort of patients with AF.

Methods And Results: From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase III, which enrolled adults with a recent diagnosis of AF and a CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 1, we analysed factors associated with CHF at baseline, the association of CHF with use of oral anticoagulants (OAC) and other treatments, and the risk of adverse outcomes during a 3-year follow-up.

Personalized beta band HD-tACS over the left SMA improves speech and limb movement by modulating prefrontal delta oscillations in neurotypical young adults.

Objective: The supplementary motor area (SMA) demonstrates abnormal beta activity (13-30 Hz) during speech and limb movement tasks in neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) has demonstrated promising improvements in motor and non-motor functions by entraining endogenous neural oscillations. We conducted an exploratory study on the modulatory effects of personalized beta high-definition (HD)-tACS over the left SMA on speech production and limb movement.

Barriers to Timely Referral of Children Born with Myelomeningocele in Zambia.

: Congenital anomalies impact 52 million infants worldwide with an estimated 94% living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Approximately 200,000 children are born with a neural tube defect (NTD) in LMICs annually. Zambia is an LMIC with a high burden of myelomeningocele (MMC; a severe form of NTD).

Multi-centre normative brain mapping of intracranial EEG lifespan patterns in the human brain.

Understanding healthy human brain function is crucial to identify and map pathological tissue within it. Whilst previous studies have mapped intracranial EEG (icEEG) from non-epileptogenic brain regions, they often neglect age and sex effects. Further, they are limited by small sample sizes due to the modality's invasive nature.

Validation of an in vitro testing platform for intra-arterial thrombolytics on human thrombectomy retrieved clots.

Background: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion. However, many patients fail to achieve good outcomes, especially without first pass reperfusion. Intra-arterial thrombolytics such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and tirofiban have shown potential as adjunctive therapies.

Prognostic role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy patients treated with tafamidis.

Objectives: Tafamidis has demonstrated survival benefits in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), yet variability in therapeutic response underscores the need for reliable tools to predict outcomes. This study evaluates the prognostic utility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in this population.

Methods: This retrospective study included tafamidis treated wild-type (ATTRwt) CM patients who completed CPET.

Evaluation of Cepheid Xpert Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus for nasal and nasopharyngeal specimens tested in CLIA-accredited and CLIA-waived settings.

Background: Respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of healthcare visits annually. The unpredictable periodicity of Coronavirus disease 2019 and seasonal patterns of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus result in concurrent circulation of these viruses with non-specific and overlapping clinical symptoms.

Study Design: This study evaluated the Cepheid Xpert Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus test using 3011 nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) and 2943 anterior nasal (NS) specimens.

The evolving role of liver transplantation as enzyme replacement therapy in the era of RNA nanotherapies.

Solid organ transplantation (SOT) is a treatment for monogenic diseases like transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) and primary hyperoxaluria (PH). The advent of RNA nanotherapy has introduced new disease-modifying options for ATTR and PH. We examined the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of SOT waitlisted candidates (due to ATTR/PH) pre-US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) and post-US FDA approval of patisiran and lumasiran, respectively.

New Comorbidity Index Associated with Survival After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy for Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

The cumulative impact of baseline comorbidities on outcomes of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is not well-established. Therefore, we developed and validated a Cellular Therapy Comorbidity Index (CT-CI) to predict outcomes following CD19-directed CAR-T therapy for large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Patients aged 18 or older receiving commercial CAR-T therapy for LBCL during 2017-2020 were selected from the CIBMTR registry.

A Natural Language Processing Method Identifies an Association Between Bacterial Communities in the Upper Genital Tract and Ovarian Cancer.

Bacterial communities within the female upper genital tract may influence the risk of ovarian cancer. In this retrospective cohort pilot study, we aim to detect different communities of bacteria between ovarian cancer and normal controls using topic modeling, a natural language processing tool. RNA was extracted and analyzed using the VITCOMIC2 pipeline.

Effects of purified eicosapentaenoic acid versus mixed eicosapentaenoic/docosahexaenoic acid pharmacotherapies on coronary plaque volume: network meta-analysis of prospective coronary imaging trials.

Background: Reduced cardiovascular event risk is observed with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), but EPA mixed with docosahexaenoic acid (EPA/DHA) does not show consistent benefit. Comparative effects of EPA versus EPA/DHA on coronary plaque remain unclear.

Methods: We systematically reviewed trials measuring coronary plaque volume in patients randomised to statin + EPA or statin + EPA/DHA therapy compared to statin monotherapy, and used network meta-analysis to compare percent change in total and lipid coronary plaque volumes on these treatments.

Composite gangliocytoma/neuroma and neuroendocrine tumour: a contemporary analysis of 71 cases shows risk factors for metastasis.

Aims: To describe the clinicopathological features of composite gangliocytoma/neuroma and neuroendocrine tumour (CoGNET) and possible risk factors for nodal metastasis.

Methods And Results: We compiled a cohort of 71 cases from 19 institutions. Mean patient age was 58 years.

Immune landscape in children with X-linked retinoschisis.

Background: X-linked retinoschisis is a retinovitreal disorder primarily affecting males, starting in childhood. Over time, patients experience deterioration of vision due to the lack of retinoschisin-1 function. In clinical trials performing intravitreal gene delivery in those affected by this disorder, ocular inflammation was observed, which may have masked efficacy.

Exploring neural mechanisms underlying error-related impairments in active working memory suggests an adaptive shielding of contents during cognitive control.

Goal-directed behavior relies on cognitive flexibility - the ability to rapidly adapt ongoing thoughts and behaviors while preserving task-relevant information. The performance monitoring system optimizes such behavior by detecting and evaluating errors, while the working memory (WM) system maintains relevant information and protects it from interference. We investigated how these two systems interact.

Quantifying anterior tibial translation and rotation in chronic ACL-deficient knees: a prospective, observational study using weight-bearing CT.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) to detect and quantify differences in anterior tibial translation (ATT) and tibiofemoral rotation (TFR) between anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured and uninjured knees in patients with chronic ACL tears.

Materials And Methods: This prospective, observational study included 20 patients (40 knees) with chronic unilateral ACL injuries confirmed by clinical exam and MRI. Knee WBCT was performed in four standardized positions: full extension and 30° flexion (bipodal), and internal and external rotation (unipodal).

The case for anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for the international space station and future planetary spaceflight: Clinical relevance and technical implementation.

Spaceflight presents unique challenges to ocular health which must be addressed when considering future long-term missions to Mars and beyond, specifically with increased risk to the anterior segment of the eye. While the posterior segment has been heavily researched via examinations with Heidelberg's Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)2 Module aboard the International Space Station (ISS), evaluation of the anterior segment is not as extensively performed. Despite the capabilities of the Spectralis, which allows for anterior segment imaging via the Anterior Segment Module (ASM), transforming the OCT into an Anterior Segment OCT (AS-OCT), there is limited information available regarding anterior segment effects due to microgravity and spaceflight.

The ocular surface during spaceflight: Post-mission symptom report, extraterrestrial risks, and in-flight therapeutics.

Ocular health is critical for overall astronaut health requirements given its essential role for mission performance and safety. The ocular surface is a vital structure to the visual system and is essential for ocular protection and the refraction of light for focused vision. Data from the 2024 NASA Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health identified that Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) astronauts (N = 257) queried during post-flight eye exams reported symptoms of eye irritation (34 %), dry eyes (14 %), and foreign body sensation (21 %).

Parabolic flight as a research platform to investigate ophthalmic changes in microgravity.

Parabolic flight serves as an important terrestrial analog to study acute physiological changes in microgravity without the need for space travel. During a parabolic flight, alternating hypergravity and microgravity phases, lasting up to 40 seconds, enable research into ophthalmic changes. In this review, we discuss the application of parabolic flight as a platform to study microgravity-related changes that might impact ophthalmology including intraocular pressure, intracranial pressure, choroidal blood flow, and modified eye movement patterns.

Factors associated with prostate cancer screening among Hispanic men: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Background: Disparities exist in prostate cancer (PCa) treatment and outcomes among Hispanic/Latino men. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of PCa screening among Hispanic men of diverse backgrounds.

Methods: Among men aged 40+ years (n = 3484) who participated in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, the prevalence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and the odds of ever having a PSA test, given sociodemographic, psychosocial, medical, and health care access factors, were estimated.

Predictors of Futile Recanalization After Endovascular Therapy for Acute Large Vessel Occlusive Intracranial Atherosclerosis: A Secondary Analysis of RESCUE-ICAS.

Background And Objectives: Futile recanalization in endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) occurs when recanalization is achieved but patients nevertheless experience a poor functional outcome. Variables associated with futile recanalization after endovascular therapy in intracranial atherosclerosis-related large vessel occlusion have not been previously described.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of Registry of Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion due to Intracranial Stenosis (RESCUE-ICAS), a multicenter prospective observational cohort study conducted at 25 EVT-capable centers in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Improvements in Serum 25(OH)D Following Stoss Dosing in People With Cystic Fibrosis and Variable Adherence to Maintenance Regimens: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Background And Aims: People with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) often have vitamin D deficiency and require vitamin D supplementation. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of ultrahigh dose cholecalciferol ("stoss dosing") in pwCF with variable adherence to maintenance cholecalciferol.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of pwCF who received initial stoss dose per protocol between January 2017 and November 2021 at University of Iowa Health Care adult and pediatric CF centers.

Weight-bearing CT as an approach to assess femoral-acetabular displacement during external rotation stress in the hip.

Hip dysplasia causes pathologic joint mechanics and can produce hip instability, leading to progressive joint degeneration and osteoarthritis. Weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) is an emerging technology that may enable quantification of femoral-acetabular displacement as an objective indicator of instability. To evaluate this potential, 10 patients indicated for periacetabular osteotomy to treat hip dysplasia and 10 healthy controls underwent two WBCT protocols.