Citations

Abstract Introduction This study investigated the impact of visual editing of sleep recordings for use in predicting neurodegenerative disorder (NDD) risk. Methods All participants underwent in-home Sleep Profiler studies. Forty-four were diagnosed with mild cognitive impartment (MCI = 40) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD = 4)(MCI/AD: 55% women, 72.6+/-8.6 years), 26 with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD: women = 27%, age = 67+/-9.8), and 29 were controls (NC: women = 69%, age = 63+/-11.5). A 4-class machine learning algorithm used age plus eight sleep biomarkers to assign NDD risk probabilities. Records with CG-assigned probabilities >70% were labeled Probably-Normal, and from 45-70% Likely-Normal. Similar thresholds were used to assign Likely- or Probably-Abnormal. NDD risk characterizations were generated based on auto-scoring (“auto”), and again after the recordings were visually edited for accuracy (“edited”). Results Comparing the auto- vs. edited-NDD classifications in the MCI/AD group, the same NDD risk classifications were observed in 91% (39/43), with 2 cases shifting from Likely-Normal to Probably-Normal, one shifted from Likely-AD to Likely-Normal with AD Indications, and one changed from Probably-AD to Likely-AD. The same NDD risk classifications were observed in 81% (21/26) of the RBD cases, 3 shifted from Probably-Abnormal to Likely-Abnormal, one shifted from Likely-Normal to Probably-Normal, and one changed from Likely-Abnormal to Likely-Normal. The same NDD risk classifications were observed in 86% of the NC group, with 4 cases shifting from Likely-Normal to Probably-Normal. Conclusions These findings suggest that the likelihood of a gross misclassification of NDD risk resulting from auto-detected sleep biomarkers is relatively low with inconsistencies directed toward slightly increased NDD risk classifications.

Abstract Introduction This study investigated differences in opinions about neurodegenerative disorders (NDD) in countries with large populations and expanded access to healthcare. Methods A 5-point Likert scale survey assessed opinions of 30–59-year-olds, pertaining to their parents and NDD conditions. 100 surveys, translated into native languages, were acquired in eight developed countries. Positive (somewhat- or strongly-agree) vs. other responses, sex, and country were submitted to logistic regression and Chi-squared analyses. Results “It is important for me to know if my parent has a risk for developing a NDD condition in the future, even if nothing can be currently done to prevent or cure those diseases” had higher positive responses in Australia (92%) compared to Germany (74%) and the USA (78%). “I believe that knowing about my parent’s risk for developing a NDD condition will help me assist in the planning of their future” had higher number of positive responses in Australia (91%) versus Japan (70%), Germany (76%), Italy (80%) and UK (80%). “If my parent(s) was found to be at risk for a NDD condition, I would want to learn more about medications and adaptive therapies that could delay onset” was responded to more positively in Australia (92%), Canada (78%), France (87%), Germany (78%), Italy (88%), UK (88%), and USA (81%) versus Japan (60%). Conclusions Australians responded more positively to questions related to care of a parent with a NDD disorder. These findings suggest cultural differences that could influence education and support systems requirements for sleep medicine providers and NDD patients.

ABSTRACT Background As head and neck cancer survival rates improve, there is growing demand for quality survivorship care and tools to predict patient adherence; this study aims to evaluate an advanced practice provider ( APP )‐led survivorship clinic and assess these key metrics. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 213 head and neck cancer patients treated with curative radiation therapy between 2016 and 2023, to assess follow‐up adherence in an advanced practice provider–led survivorship clinic. Results With a median follow‐up of 2.4 years, follow‐up care metrics identified high completion percentages (> 90%) for lung cancer screening, smoking cessation, thyroid screening, dental evaluation, xerostomia, dysphagia, and dysgeusia. The HOUsing ‐based SocioEconomic Status ( HOUSES ) index at diagnosis showed a significant adherence difference (median percentile, 78% vs. 55%, adherent vs. nonadherent; p = 0.03). Conclusions High adherence rates with guideline‐defined care metrics are achievable in an advanced practice provider‐led head and neck cancer survivorship clinic. The HOUSES index may assist in predicting nonadherence; however, further studies are needed.

Developing a scalable multi-layer AI adoption model for 6P medicine (Predictive, Preventive, Personalized, Participatory, Precision-oriented, and Public-centered) requires careful consideration of computational infrastructure, data processing and integration, healthcare-specific requirements, security and privacy, performance optimization, and system interoperability. The described multi-layer architecture in this work provides a flexible conceptual model to accommodate the diverse needs of AI implementation in different healthcare domains while maintaining scalability, security, governance, and efficiency.

Background: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a functional imaging modality that can quantify tissue permeability and blood flow. Due to vasculature changes resulting from radiation therapy (RT), DCE-MRI quantitative parameters should be significantly different in regions receiving a high radiation dose compared to regions receiving a low radiation dose. This study sought to determine whether a significant difference exists in post-head-and-neck-cancer (HNC)-RT DCE-MRI quantitative parameters (Ktrans and ve) between regions of the mandible receiving a high radiation dose and regions of the mandible receiving a low radiation dose. Methods: DCE-MRI was acquired from HNC subjects post-RT. The DCE-MRI quantitative parameters Ktrans and ve were obtained through Tofts model fitting. Four mandible sections (left ramus, left body, right ramus, and right body) were delineated on subject mandible contours. Two Friedman tests comparing the mean Ktrans and ve in low-dose (≤60 Gy) areas of the four mandible regions were computed. If the Friedman test determined that a significant difference for a parameter between mandible regions exists, post hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were completed comparing the four mandible regions. If the Friedman test determined that there was no significant difference between mandible regions, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine whether a significant difference exists in the parameter between high-dose (>60 Gy) and low-dose (≤60 Gy) mandible regions. Results: 48 HNC subjects were included in the analysis. The Friedman tests showed no significant difference in ve means between mandible regions (χ(3)2 = 1.63, p = 0.44) and a significant difference in Ktrans means between mandible regions (χ(3)2 = 10.29, p = 0.005). Post hoc testing between Ktrans mandible regions found that the left body and right body differed significantly from the left ramus and right ramus. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test comparing the mean ve between high- and low-dose mandible regions found a significant difference (W = 214, p = 0.00013). Conclusions: no inherent difference in the DCE-MRI quantitative parameter ve was observed within subject mandibles, but a significant difference was observed between ve means in high- and low-radiation-dose mandible regions. These results provide evidence of the utility of DCE-MRI to monitor mandible vasculature changes resulting from head and neck cancer radiation therapy. Monitoring post-HNC-RT mandible vasculature changes is important to initiate earlier toxicity management and ultimately improve HNC survivors’ quality of life.

Rationale Despite significant advances in patient care and outcomes, criteria for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in risk stratification guidelines for lung resection have not been updated in over a decade. We hypothesised that CPET no longer holds additional predictive value for postoperative complications. Methods In this secondary analysis, we included lung resection candidates from two prospective, multicentre studies eligible for CPET and assessed with preoperative pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and arterial blood gas analysis. Postoperative pulmonary (PPCs) and cardiovascular complications (PCCs) were documented during hospitalisation. We trained five types of machine learning models applying nested cross-validation to predict complications and compared predictive performance based on four metrics, including area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). Results A total of 497 patients were included. PPCs developed in 71 (14%) patients. Adding CPET parameters to PFTs and baseline clinical data did not improve the ability of models to predict PPCs in unselected patients (AUC-ROC=0.72–0.78; p=0.47), nor in those meeting American College of Chest Physicians (ACCPs) (n=236; AUC-ROC=0.64–0.78; p=0.70) or European Respiratory Society/European Society of Thoracic Surgery (ERS/ESTS) criteria (n=168; AUC-ROC=0.59–0.76; p=0.92). PCCs developed in 90 (18%) patients. CPET parameters likewise did not improve model performance for the prediction of PCCs in unselected patients (AUC-ROC=0.65–0.73; p=0.96), nor in the ACCP (AUC-ROC=0.61–0.73; p=0.82) or ERS/ESTS subgroups (AUC-ROC=0.62–0.69; p=0.87). Conclusions In contemporary surgical practice, CPET did not improve the predictive performance of machine learning models for PPCs or PCCs in patients with an indication based on established guidelines or in those without. The role of CPET in preoperative risk stratification for lung resection should be re-evaluated. Trial registration number NCT03498352 , NCT04826575 .

Evaluation of T-cell receptor (TCR) β-chain constant region 1 (TRBC1) expression is an alternative T-cell clonality assessment method. However, evaluation of TRBC1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) for distinguishing mycosis fungoides (MF)/Sezary syndrome (SS) from reactive inflammatory infiltrates in skin is incomplete. We evaluated the utility of a novel dual TRBC1-CD3 IHC stain in skin biopsies with MF/SS (n=40), reactive (n=24), or atypical T-cell infiltrates indeterminant for MF/SS (n=9). Twenty of 24 reactive cases showed clear polytypic TRBC1 expression (median percent TRBC1 positivity among CD3-positive T cells [%TRBC1+] 50% in dermis, 42.5% in epidermis among all cases), while 34/40 MF/SS were clearly monotypic (%TRBC1+ either ≤20% or ≥85%) (sensitivity 85.0%, specificity 91.7%, positive predictive value 94.4%, negative predictive value 78.6%). Discordance between TRBC1 expression and diagnosis was associated with few neoplastic/monotypic T cells and/or lack of physical separation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic populations. Among patch/plaque MF/SS, TRBC1 showed similar diagnostic sensitivity (80.0% vs. 86.7%) and high categorical correlation (monotypic vs. not monotypic, 80%) with TCR gene rearrangement results. TRBC1 interpretation was reproducible, with ≥2/3 and 3/3 pathologists rendering identical interpretations in 100% and 86% of cases, respectively, after independent review and 100% agreement following collective review. Digital image analysis confirmed visual %TRBC1+ accuracy ( r =0.9749, P <0.0001). On the basis of these results, we propose %TRBC1+ cutoffs of <25% or >75% for establishing T-cell monotypia in skin. Considering such thresholds, TRBC1-CD3 evaluation facilitated diagnostic refinement in 7/9 (78%) atypical cases. Overall, TRBC1-CD3 IHC clearly and rapidly aids diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell proliferations.

Objective: To estimate the relative risk of meningitis after repair of spontaneous lateral skull base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks through meta-analysis of published studies. Databases Reviewed: PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane, SCI-EXPANDED, ESCI, Epistemonikos, and WHO Global Index Medicus were queried for terms including and related to meningitis, CSF leak, surgery, and spontaneous from inception to April 02, 2024. Methods: Prospective and retrospective studies in any language reporting either preoperative or postoperative rates of meningitis in adults with spontaneous lateral skull base CSF leaks were included. Two reviewers independently screened 2,564 studies and extracted data and evaluated risk of bias in 57 studies that met inclusion criteria. A random effects generalized linear mixed model was used to pool and compare logit transformed risk of meningitis before and after repair. Results: Of 1,310 patients who met inclusion criteria, 1,239 underwent CSF leak repair. Fifty-two studies reported rates of preoperative meningitis, and 27 studies reported rates of postoperative meningitis. Twenty-two studies with a total of 511 patients reported both rates. The average follow-up period of 17 studies reporting duration of follow-up was 23.1 months. The preoperative pooled risk of meningitis was 0.16 (95% CI: 0.13–0.25, I 2 = 40.57%). The postoperative pooled risk was considerably lower at 0.01 (95% CI: 0.01–0.14, I 2 = 4.16%). With substantial heterogeneity (I 2 = 62.94%), we observed a relative risk of meningitis after repair of 0.02 (95% CI: 0.00–0.79, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Surgical repair of spontaneous lateral skull base CSF leaks may significantly reduce the risk of adult meningitis.

Objective: Assess the impact of adult cochlear implantation on the disability and quality of life (QOL) of communication partners (CP) of cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Databases reviewed: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Science Citation Index Expanded, and Emerging Sources Citation Index were searched. Methods: This study was reported following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles included reported on disability or QOL measures of CP of adult CI recipients. Study selection included retrospective, prospective, and randomized controlled studies in English language. Three reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion, extracted data, and evaluated risk of bias. Outcomes included both qualitative and quantitative pre-CI and post-CI measures of CP disability or QOL. Results: Of 1615 screened articles, 9 studies utilizing quantitative and qualitative measures with 504 CP met inclusion criteria. Four of 6 studies assessing only post-CI CP QOL, demonstrated self-reported improvement, while one demonstrated worse CP QOL compared with the general population and one identified CP and CI recipient qualities that correlated with CP QOL scores. Two studies assessing pre-CI to post-CI CP QOL also reported improvements. One study assessing only pre-CI CP QOL suggested that CPs had worse QOL than normal hearing controls. Duration of CI recipient hearing loss did not impact CP QOL in any study. Conclusions: Though homogenous data on the QOL of CPs of CI recipients and the relationship between CI recipient and CP factors is limited, studies suggest that CPs of CI recipients may have worse QOL than the general population but, cochlear implantation may improve CP QOL.

ABSTRACT Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals face minority stress and often avoid the emergency department (ED) due to previous negative experiences. The goal of this review is to prepare the emergency medicine pharmacist to care for TGD patients, with the ultimate goal of improving the care TGD patients receive. This review summarizes interactions with TGD patients, trauma‐informed considerations, physical exam and organ inventory sensitivities, and gender‐affirming hormone therapy and complications that may arise and be seen in the ED. Additionally, this review discusses common complaints and considerations that may commonly arise when caring for TGD patients.