Citations

The authors explore the association of remnant cholesterol and CRP with the longitudinal development of cancer in a prospective cohort study and if there is an opportunity to modulate risk with bariatric surgery or GLP‐1 agonist.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including colorectal, gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, and liver cancers, represent a significant global health burden, with high prevalence and mortality rates driven by aging, lifestyle factors, and infections. Emerging research highlights the role of vitamin D in cancer biology, particularly its potential in the prevention and management of GI cancers. Through its active form, calcitriol, vitamin D regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and immune responses via the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Epidemiological studies suggest an inverse association between vitamin D deficiency and cancer risk, while experimental models demonstrate its anti-tumor effects. Additionally, vitamin D influences gut microbiota composition and immune regulation, potentially enhancing cancer immunity and response to immunotherapy. Despite promising evidence, clinical trials have yielded mixed results, underscoring the need for further research to determine optimal supplementation strategies, individual responses, and genetic influences. This review explores vitamin D’s mechanisms, epidemiological evidence, and therapeutic potential in GI cancers, advocating for personalized approaches in cancer prevention and treatment.

Objectives: To determine the feasibility of reduced-dose chest computed tomographic angiography (CTA) with convolutional neural network (CNN) denoising for detecting pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (pAVMs) in children with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (cwHHT). Methods: Fifteen cwHHT underwent a chest CTA (ie, a controlled “study” dose). Noise was inserted to simulate a quarter dose (QD) exam. Images were reconstructed using iterative reconstruction (IR) and our self-trained CNN denoising model. For each case, 3 sets of images were created: study dose (SD)+IR, QD+IR, and QD+CNN. Two thoracic radiologists independently scored each set to assess quality, spatial resolution, artifacts, and the presence of pAVMs using 4-level ordinal scales. Quantitative assessments of image quality were performed using contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) with comparisons made between the experimental conditions. Results: Thirteen of the 15 patients recruited with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (mean age: 9.3±4.5 y) were positive for pAVM by transthoracic contrast echocardiography. The sensitivities using QD+CNN were 0.85 and 1.00 for readers 1 and 2, respectively. This was compared with 0.69 and 0.84 using QD+IR versus 0.85 and 0.92 for SD+IR. Inter-reader agreement for pAVM detection utilizing QD+CNN was moderate and resulted in kappa=0.59 ( P =0.012). The subjective assessments for QD+CNN were comparable to the SD technique. Regression analysis of reader scores revealed improved quality in QD+CNN versus QD+IR ( P =0.001). Similarly, the QD+CNN condition demonstrated the highest CNRs. Conclusions: Reduced-dose chest CTA with CNN denoising provides a level of sensitivity comparable to standard dose CTA and high CNRs for the detection of pAVMs in cwHHT.

Abstract Background Patients with pulmonary hypertension due to interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) have worse exercise capacity and survival than ILD patients without PH. Vasoreactivity with inhaled nitric oxide (NO) provides prognostic and therapeutic implications in pulmonary arterial hypertension, but little is known about its value in PH-ILD. We evaluated the pulmonary hemodynamic changes following inhaled NO and their association with outcomes in PH-ILD. Methods We measured pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with PH-ILD who underwent inhaled NO administration during right heart catheterization. We recorded baseline clinical, echocardiographic, and pulmonary function testing measures, and investigated the use of inhaled treprostinil as well as the rate of hospitalization, death, and lung transplantation. Results In 120 patients (age 67 ± 11 years, 62% women), the administration of inhaled NO resulted in a median (IQR) decrease in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of −3 (−5, −1) mmHg, P < 0.001, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of −0.8 (−1.8, −0.2) wood units (WU), P < 0.001. The % change in mPAP and PVR were −6.3 (−10.9, −1.8) % and −16.8 (−27.3, −3.3) %, respectively. Factors associated with the % drop in PVR included baseline PVR (r = 0.30, P < 0.001), cardiac output (r = −0.19, P = 0.04), and WHO functional class (r = 0.25, P = 0.01). The median (IQR) follow-up was 14.5 (7, 25) months. During this time, 40 (33%) patients died, 8 (7%) underwent lung transplantation, and 76 (63%) experienced either hospitalization due to respiratory failure, transplantation, or death. The % drop in mPAP and PVR during inhalation of NO had no significant impact on these outcomes and was not associated with clinical response to inhaled treprostinil measured by changes in six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Conclusion Inhaled NO caused a modest reduction in mPAP and PVR in patients with PH-ILD, but the acute hemodynamic response to inhaled NO was not associated with outcomes or response to inhaled treprostinil therapy.

Childhood obesity has assumed epidemic proportions; it results from a complex interplay of genetic, physiological, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. It is associated with numerous short- and long-term health complications, including cardiometabolic and psychosocial consequences. While lifestyle modifications remain the cornerstone of treatment, their overall impact is modest. As a result, pharmacotherapy is increasingly recommended as an adjunct in selected pediatric patients, particularly those with severe or refractory obesity. In recent years, several anti-obesity medications, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, have shown promise in pediatric populations, particularly adolescents. However, the pharmacologic options remain limited for younger children. This review summarizes current evidence on the efficacy and safety of available anti-obesity medications in children and adolescents, offering practical, age-based strategies to guide the appropriate clinical use of these medications as part of a comprehensive obesity-management plan.

Abstract Psychological distress, moral injury, and burnout are prevalent among intensive care unit (ICU) professionals, impacting individual well-being, team dynamics, and patient safety. Structured peer support programmes, delivered by trained colleagues rather than mental health professionals, could be implemented as low-threshold, scalable interventions to promote psychological safety and resilience. This review outlines five foundational pillars for implementing peer support in the ICU, including formal programme design, training, inclusivity, confidentiality, and continuous evaluation. It also addresses practical strategies to overcome cultural and institutional barriers, such as stigma, time constraints, and hierarchical norms. Drawing on current evidence and recent unpublished survey data from North American critical care cardiologists, the article provides a practical framework for integrating peer support into ICU culture. Peer support represents a complementary approach to formal mental health services and offers tangible benefits for clinician well-being, retention, and quality of care.

Candida krusei empyema is a rare but serious manifestation of invasive candidiasis, characterized by intrinsic resistance to fluconazole, biofilm formation, and high mortality, with limited case-level data to inform management. This review aims to systematically identify and synthesize all reported English-language cases of Candida krusei empyema from January 2005 to June 2025 using PubMed, ScienceDirect, OVID MEDLINE, and Gale OneFile and perform descriptive analysis on them. Screening, data extraction, and eligibility assessment were performed, and those articles not clearly meeting eligibility criteria were reviewed by additional reviewers with consensus resolution. Seven publications (six individual cases and two cohorts) were included. We additionally describe the clinical course, management, and outcome of a 70-year-old bilateral lung transplant patient who developed persistent C. krusei empyema despite optimized antifungal therapy. Patients ranged from 11 to 74 years of age (median 62.5 years). Predisposing factors included esophageal perforation (n = 4), post-transplant hemorrhage (n = 1), community-acquired empyema (n = 1), and thoracic surgery (n = 1). Empiric fluconazole was switched to caspofungin (3/4), with others receiving amphotericin B, voriconazole, or combination therapy. Source control varied: chest tube drainage (n = 3), percutaneous catheter (n = 3), and surgical decortication (n = 2). Mortality was 14.3% (1/7). In the absence of clear guidelines and robust literature, the management approach remains heterogeneous. Optimal care requires early recognition, aggressive multimodal antifungal therapy, and effective source control tailored to patient risk. Standardized antifungal protocols and larger case series are needed to guide clinicians in managing this challenging infection.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an important class of cancer treatment. Endocrine immune-related adverse events (E-irAEs) account for a significant proportion of irAEs in ICI-treated patients. Diagnosing E-irAEs accurately and timely can be challenging in the absence of clear categorization and standardization across oncology, endocrinology and other specialties. While existing guidelines provide some broad directions to diagnosis and management, they lack clarity on irAE-specific symptom evaluation and work-up, as well as assessment of severity. These limitations can then impact triage, time-sensitive management and care escalation to specialists such as oncoendocrinologists. The objective of this study was to develop consensus-based statements on disease definitions for E-irAEs. A core working group of endocrinologists with expertise in the oncoendocrinology field drafted a survey with statements outlining the general approach to E-irAEs, disease definition and management approach of six specific diagnoses: ir-thyroiditis thyrotoxic phase, ir-thyroiditis hypothyroidism, ir-Graves’ disease, ir-hypophysitis, ir-adrenalitis and ir-type 1 diabetes mellitus. Severity grading tables were drafted for three disease categories—“thyroid”, “pituitary and adrenal”, and “diabetes mellitus”. A two-round modified Delphi process, using the RAND/University of California Los Angeles (RAND/UCLA) Appropriateness Method, was employed. In this process, a 25-member voting panel consisting of endocrinologists, oncologists and other specialists and healthcare providers with experience in management of ICI-treated patients and irAEs was recruited. The panel rated anonymously on usability, accuracy, appropriateness or agreement of 41 items on a 9-point scale in Survey 1, after which a meeting was convened. Statements were modified based on voting results from Survey 1 and Meeting 1, and the process was repeated in Survey 2 and Meeting 2. At the end of this process, consensus was achieved for all statements. Our study findings address the gap in standardized nomenclature, clinical, laboratory and radiological evaluations, and management principles of E-irAEs. With consensus achieved from a panel of experts from a variety of disciplines, we anticipate that the statements can form the basis for standardization of the diagnostic process and improvement of patient care.