Citations

Abstract Objective To evaluate the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) among participants with RA and aortic stenosis compared with those without RA, using real-world data from a large multicentre registry. Methods Using the TriNetX Research Network, participants with aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR with (RA+) vs without (RA−) RA were identified. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs estimated 30-day all-cause mortality, permanent pacemaker implantation, ischaemic stroke, acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, major vascular complications, and major or life-threatening bleeding were evaluated. Five-year outcomes included all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction and all-cause hospitalization. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs. Results A total of 1414 RA+ (4.3%) and 39 004 RA− participants were eligible. After matching, 1374 were included in each cohort. At 30 days, outcomes did not differ between RA+ and RA− groups; mortality was 2.0% vs 1.5% (OR 1.29; 95% CI 0.73–2.29), with no significant differences in other endpoints. Over 5 years, mortality was 23.8% vs 20.5% (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.97–1.31), and stroke, myocardial infarction and hospitalization were similar; HRs were concordant with OR estimates. In sex-based analyses of RA patients, outcomes did not differ by sex. Conclusion In this large observational study, TAVR was not associated with excess short- or long-term risk in patients with RA. These findings support TAVR as a safe therapeutic option in RA patients with aortic stenosis.

Objective Macrophages are highly plastic immune cells that maintain tissue homeostasis through their roles in immune surveillance, repair, and remodeling. Emerging evidence reveals that macrophages, residing in tissues with widely varying stiffness, are profoundly influenced by the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. Methods Relevant publications on macrophage mechanoregulation published up to January 2026 were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science using combinations of keywords related to macrophages, mechanosensing, mechanotransduction, and mechanical stimuli (e.g., stiffness, stretch, and shear stress). Articles were screened based on relevance to macrophage biology and mechanistic insights. Results Mechanical cues are sensed through mechanosensors such as Piezo1, TRPV4, and integrins, which integrate these signals to regulate immune surveillance, inflammation, tissue repair, and remodeling. Dysregulation of these pathways contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including fibrosis, atherosclerosis, and neurodegeneration. Conclusion Macrophage mechanobiology represents a critical regulatory axis in tissue homeostasis and disease. Targeting mechanosensing pathways offers promising therapeutic opportunities to modulate inflammation and enhance tissue regeneration.

Abstract Complete response (CR) is an important treatment goal in follicular lymphoma (FL). In relapsed or refractory (R/R) FL, CR rates decline, and disease progression accelerates with each treatment line, with particularly poor outcomes in patients with high‐risk features. Odronextamab, a CD20 × CD3 bispecific antibody, demonstrated deep, durable responses and generally manageable safety in R/R FL in the Phase 2 ELM‐2 study (NCT03888105); we present an exploratory analysis in patients who attained a CR. Patients received intravenous odronextamab with step‐up dosing in Cycle 1, 80 mg weekly in Cycles 2–4, then 160 mg once every 2 weeks until disease progression or other protocol‐defined reason for discontinuation. Patients with CR lasting ≥9 months switched to dosing once every 4 weeks. Overall, 73.4% (94/128) of patients attained CR, 93.6% (88/94) by first response assessment (~Week 12). Median time to CR was 2.7 months (range 2.3–7.9). Median duration of CR was 25.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 20.5–not evaluable [NE]) overall and 23.7 months (18.2–NE) in patients with high‐risk features. Overall, 79.5% (35/44) of patients who switched to Q4W dosing maintained CR at last assessment. Patients with low/undetectable CD20 expression by immunohistochemistry (<10% CD20 + cells) or RNA sequencing (messenger RNA < 500 transcripts per million) could achieve CR. Median progression‐free survival was 27.8 months (95% CI 23.0–NE) in patients with CR and not reached in those with undetectable circulating tumor DNA at Week 12. Treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) led to treatment discontinuation in 16.0% of patients with CR; the most common TEAE was cytokine release syndrome (56.4%). This generally manageable safety profile and the sustainability of CRs support odronextamab as a potential long‐term treatment for heavily pretreated R/R FL.

ABSTRACT Three novel HLA‐B alleles, HLA‐B*27:297, ‐B*41:97 and ‐B*44:436 , were identified by next‐generation sequencing.

Background: Religious affiliation has traditionally served as a coping strategy during stressful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Pregnant women faced heightened stress during the pandemic due to concerns about their health as well as that of their fetus. This study examined the prevalence of self-reported religious affiliation among SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women and investigated differences in psychiatric diagnoses and pregnancy outcomes based on religious affiliation. Methods: The study included all asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women who received care at the Mayo Health System from March 2020 through October 2021 and completed the routine religious affiliation questionnaire. Those selecting “none” were categorized as having no religious affiliation (RA−), whereas those selecting a specific religion were categorized as religiously affiliated (RA+). Results: Among 609 women, 49.6% were RA+ and 50.4% were RA−. RA+ women were more likely to be white, married, college-educated, and have fewer prior abortions. There were no significant differences in rates of depression, anxiety, psychotropic medication use, substance use, or pregnancy and labor complications between RA+ and RA− groups. Conclusions: Half of the women in this cohort reported no religious affiliation. Previously reported protective associations between religiosity and mental health were not observed when religious affiliation alone was examined.

Background In low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (AS), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF <50%) is practically used to define low flow and prompt dobutamine stress echocardiography to discern pseudo-severe AS. In patients with preserved LVEF, stroke volume index (SVI) <35 mL/m² is typically used. However, both are volume-based surrogates. Transaortic flow rate (TAFR), calculated as stroke volume divided by left ventricular ejection time, may better reflect true flow. Nonetheless, comparative data between TAFR and established metrics remain limited. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of TAFR in symptomatic low-gradient severe AS. Methods We retrospectively identified patients with low-gradient severe AS (AVA ≤1 cm 2 and peak velocity (Vmax) <4 m/s or mean gradient (MG) <40 mm Hg) who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement at Mayo Clinic sites (2017–2023). The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. Results Among 475 patients included (mean age 85±8 years; 49% women), 242 (51%) had TAFR <220 mL/s, 165 (35%) had EF <50%, and 221 (47%) had SVI <35 mL/m 2 . Low TAFR was significantly associated with higher 1-year mortality even after stratifying by EF or SVI. In multivariate analysis, TAFR was an independent predictor of mortality (HR 2.38; 95% CI 1.19 to 4.76, p=0.014) after adjusting for reduced LVEF, low SVI, gender, chronic kidney disease and mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Conclusions In patients with symptomatic low-gradient severe AS, low TAFR, not SVI or LVEF, is independently associated with mortality and may offer more accurate measure of flow state for clinical staging.

Organ transplantation has become an established treatment option for end-stage organ disease. Both living and end-of-life (so called deceased) organ donation narrow the gap between supply and demand for transplantable organs. Advances in human biology prove that death occurs as a gradual process over time and not as a single discrete event. Declaring death with either neurological criteria (heart-beating organ donation) or circulatory criteria (non-heart-beating organ donation) enables the procurement of transplantable organs before human death is complete, namely, from the incipiently dying donor. Thus, surgical procurement of organs from the incipiently dying donor is the proximate cause of death, raising new questions on end-of-life organ donation. It is imperative to first and foremost care for the patient as a dying person. International Muslim scholars should reevaluate previous Islamic rulings and provide guidance about current practice of end-of-life organ donation.

Background Cardiovascular biomarkers such as NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide) are used for heart failure risk stratification in patients with acquired heart disease, but there are limited data about its role in patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries. The current study aims to assess the role of serial NT‐proBNP measurements for risk stratification in adults with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries. Methods We studied adults with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with ≥2 NT‐proBNP measurements (2003–2024). Temporal change in NT‐proBNP was calculated as relative change from baseline levels. Results Of 152 patients (age 47±13 years, 45% men), baseline NT‐proBNP was 539 (interquartile range, 193–1549) pg/mL, and relative change from baseline levels of NT‐proBNP was 34% (interquartile range, −11 to 67). Of 152 patients, 45 (30%) had cardiovascular events (heart failure hospitalization [n=29], ventricular assist device [n=5], heart transplantation [n=11], and death [n=10]), yielding a 10‐year incidence of 26%. Higher baseline NT‐proBNP and relative change from baseline levels were associated with cardiovascular events. Serial NT‐proBNP measurements had incremental prognostic value compared with baseline measurement. The correlates of higher NT‐proBNP levels were atrial fibrillation, hypertension, right ventricular dilation and dysfunction, and atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system antagonist was associated with lower NT‐proBNP levels and lower risk of cardiovascular events. Conclusions NT‐proBNP testing is inexpensive, widely available, and noninvasive, making it well suited for longitudinal surveillance in adults with congenital heart disease. Most of the correlates for elevated NT‐proBNP levels were modifiable, providing target for therapeutic interventions.