Citations

Background: The Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) began studying traumatic SCI (TSCI) in 1970. The National Institute of Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) provided pilot funding during the 2021-2026 SCIMS funding cycle to perform an initial study of individuals with nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI). Objectives: To describe the demographic and etiological profiles and inpatient rehabilitation outcomes of the SCIMS NTSCI pilot cohort. Methods: This was a descriptive study of adults with NTSCI admitted to SCIMS centers who consented to medical records abstraction and completed survey questionnaires near the completion of inpatient rehabilitation. Results: One hundred eighty-seven people with NTSCI consented to participate and provided data. The etiology of patients’ NTSCI was degenerative vertebral causes ( n = 67), tumor-malignant ( n = 29), tumor-benign/unknown ( n = 16), vascular ( n = 28), infection ( n = 26), and other NTSCI causes ( n = 21). The average age was 59.2 years. Over 40% of the population was age 60-74 years. The population was 35% female, 59.5% non-Hispanic White, 21.6% non-Hispanic Black, and 11.4% Hispanic. Age, sex, race, and ethnicity distributions did not differ significantly across etiology groups. Only symptom onset time ( P = .002) and marital status ( P = .005) were significantly different between groups. Vascular disorders onset was less than a day in 60% of cases. Greater than 60% of tumor-malignant, vascular, and other NTSCI individuals were married or living with a partner. Conclusion: The US SCIMS program can recruit a population of NTSCI research participants that is consistent with previously published results. Ongoing study of NTSCI through the US SCIMS could provide important data akin to that available regarding TSCI.

Abstract Background Accurate assessment of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradients is critical for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) management, yet Doppler-based measurements are technically demanding and require expertise. Objective To develop a multi-view deep learning model capable of classifying LVOT obstruction (> 20mmHg) using routine 2D echocardiographic windows without reliance on Doppler imaging. Methods We trained and externally validated a cross-attention-based video-to-video fusion framework that integrated EchoPrime-derived video representations from three standard transthoracic echocardiographic views to classify LVOT gradients. Results Training was performed on a derivation cohort (N = 1833) from a tertiary care system in the United States, with model performance evaluated on an internal held-out test set (N = 275) and a Korean external validation cohort (N = 46). Single-view baselines showed limited discrimination (external AUROCs 0.47–0.70). Conversely, domain-specific foundational model (EchoPrime) achieved superior single-view performance (AUROCs 0.75–0.80 internal; 0.79–0.83 external), highlighting the importance of echo-specific pretraining and temporal modeling. The proposed multi-view fusion further enhanced predictive performance, with the late fusion model reaching an AUROC of 0.84 on the external cohort with significant population-shift. Conclusions These results suggest LVOT physiology is encoded in routine 2D imaging and can be leveraged for clinically relevant gradient classification without Doppler input- proposed AI-guided strategy demonstrates substantial cost savings compared with the screen-all approach. By integrating complementary spatial-temporal information across multiple views, our approach generalizes robustly across populations and may enable real-time decision support, extend LVOT assessment to portable or resource-limited settings, and complement Doppler-based evaluation for longitudinal HCM management.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Repetitive head impacts (RHI) from contact sports may cause a unique pattern of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on T2‐weighted fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), termed RHI‐associated WMH (RHI‐WMH). These lesions are punctate, circular, and located at the gray–white matter boundary, an area vulnerable to trauma‐related damage. METHODS We investigated the association of RHI with these lesions in two aging cohorts: (1) former American football players versus asymptomatic unexposed men and (2) individuals with RHI from various contact sports versus non‐RHI participants. RHI‐WMH were assessed using visual ratings and a novel automated quantification pipeline. RESULTS Individuals with RHI had greater RHI‐WMH by both detection methods in both cohorts. RHI‐WMH were associated with plasma neurofilament light and p‐tau231, and flortaucipir positron emission tomography (PET) uptake. DISCUSSION RHI‐WMH may represent a new supportive biomarker for the detection of RHI‐related neuropathologies later in life.

Background: The most critical exam components in patients seeking rhinoplasty have not been established. Objective: To identify concordance among experienced rhinoplasty surgeons regarding the most important exam features for various deformities. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to board-certified facial plastic and plastic surgeons experienced in rhinoplasty, with seven nasal deformity categories: dorsal hump, crooked nose, boxy tip, pinched tip, droopy tip, saddle nose, and nonallergic nasal obstruction. For each, respondents were asked to rank the three most important anatomic regions to examine from the following: nasal bones, midvault cartilage, skin, radix, facial profile, lip, tip, septum, internal nasal valve, nostrils, inferior and middle turbinates. For each ranked region, up to three important features were chosen. Normalized Attention Scores (NAS) were calculated to determine agreement amongst surgeons. Results: A total of 13 facial plastic and 8 plastic surgeons were invited to participate and completed the questionnaire. All cases had high agreement demonstrated by NAS, with the dorsal hump case exhibiting the greatest variability in responses. Conclusions: In this survey of 21 rhinoplasty surgeons, there was general agreement regarding the most relevant anatomical structures and features, which may provide a conceptual foundation for identifying key exam features for seven common complaints in patients seeking rhinoplasty.

ABSTRACT Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are non‐replicating, lipid membrane‐bound nanoparticles released by most eukaryotic cells into the extracellular space. When derived from platelets, a subset of EVs can exhibit remarkable anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making them attractive candidates to attenuate sterile inflammatory states such as limb skeletal muscle ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI). Peripheral extremity IRI complicating acute limb revascularisation procedures, replantation of major traumatic amputations and limb allotransplants can trigger a life‐threatening reperfusion syndrome that leads to multi‐organ system failure and death. In this study, we used a platelet‐derived EVs‐enriched preparation as a therapeutic strategy for extremity IRI. To allow for a clinically translatable drug delivery strategy, we established and validated a catheter‐directed regional intra‐arterial limb infusion (RLI) delivery approach that permitted selective and effective targeting of pEVs to limb skeletal muscles and soft tissues in the vascularly isolated rodent extremity simulating pre‐reperfusion preservation and revascularisation conditions of the ischaemic or amputated extremity. In addition to being safe and feasible, we demonstrated robust retention of EVs by skeletal muscles of the operative limb during the early critical phase of reperfusion injury following RLI. We also show that pretreatment of ischaemic skeletal muscles using an pEVs‐enriched formulation just before reestablishing extremity blood flow alleviated metabolic derangements and suppressed the systemic and localised proinflammatory cytokine response associated with skeletal muscle reperfusion and reduced histologic markers of myofibre injury without adverse effects on serum chemistries. This work opens a new perspective to investigate novel approaches for regional delivery of therapeutic pEVs to skeletal muscle to mitigate limb IRI in vivo, and to achieve both in situ and ex vivo targeted delivery of nanocarriers to the isolated limb tissue for other therapeutic applications.

Background: Localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is primarily treated with surgical resection with or without radiotherapy (RT), while the role of chemotherapy (CT) as a radiosensitizer remains unclear. We report our single-institution experience with combined chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in treating localized STS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with localized STS treated at Mayo Clinic with mitomycin, cisplatin, and doxorubicin (MitoAP) concurrently with RT between 1/1/85 and 12/12/19. Results: We identified 179 patients (median age 58 years; median tumor size 9.5 cm), with 83.8% of tumors located in the extremities or trunk. Among them, 77.1% received perioperative CT in addition to CCRT, with 95% of those treated in the neoadjuvant setting. Median RT dose was 50 Gray. The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 77.9% (95% confidence interval, CI: 70.8–83.4%). The addition of perioperative CT to CCRT was associated with improved DSS compared with CCRT alone (p = 0.01, Hazard Ratio, HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27–0.85). Median post-CCRT tumor viability was 30% and did not differ by CT use (p = 0.39), but varied significantly by histology (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our institutional protocol utilizing two cycles of MitoAP with RT was well tolerated. DSS in our cohort was similar to historical data using perioperative RT alone, suggesting no clear benefit from CCRT. However, the majority of patients in our cohort were classified as high risk, which may have attenuated a potential survival benefit in the absence of appropriate comparative controls. Furthermore, additional perioperative CT to CCRT was associated with improved DSS and differential histology-specific responses in tumor viability, suggesting that a more aggressive neoadjuvant and perioperative approach may be beneficial in selected patients.

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.

Cholangiocytes are specialized epithelial cells that line the intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tree and play a critical role in bile modification, liver homeostasis, and response to injury. Cholangiocytes exhibit notable heterogeneity and plasticity, and their dysfunction is central to a spectrum of diseases targeting the bile ducts, collectively called cholangiopathies. These disorders include genetic, infectious, immune-mediated, and malignant diseases, with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) representing one of the most complex and enigmatic of these disorders. PSC is a progressive, fibro-inflammatory disease of the bile ducts that is closely linked to inflammatory bowel disease, carries a heightened risk of cancer, and lacks any approved therapies. This review explores the biology of cholangiocytes, including their development, functional plasticity, and roles in secretion, absorption, and cellular signaling. We provide a detailed examination of cholangiopathies, particularly PSC, a complex cholangiopathy characterized by a paradoxical state of cholangiocyte senescence and hyperproliferation. We describe how immune cell dysfunction, the gut microbiome, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors converge to mediate PSC pathogenesis. We revisit the foundational technologies that empowered early discoveries and shaped the field as we know it today. We also explore how newer techniques such as organoid cultures, single-cell transcriptomics, epigenomics, and spatialomics have transformed our modern understanding of biliary pathophysiology. Finally, we provide an overview of existing rodent models of cholangiopathies and discuss their relevance to human disease. PSC remains therapeutically unaddressed, and thus ongoing multidisciplinary efforts are essential to developing targeted interventions. This review serves as a comprehensive resource for researchers and clinicians navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of cholangiocyte-centered liver disease research.