Citations

Abstract Background Most existing biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) inform on core AD pathologies in the central nervous system, namely amyloid, tau and neurodegeneration (ATN). However, molecular disease mechanisms underlying AD are complex and heterogeneous, highlighting the need for cost‐effective blood‐based biomarkers that reflect brain molecular changes in AD beyond ATN. Method Using peripheral blood transcriptome data from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging(MCSA) and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, we identified genes associated with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis, cognitive, and harmonized neuroimaging measures in two cohorts, followed by meta‐analysis. We identified consensus gene co‐expression modules in MCSA and ADNI using WGCNA and assessed the association between module eigengenes and aforementioned measures. Using seven bulk brain RNAseq cohorts, we confirmed the preservation of coexpression modules across blood and brain. Enrichment analyses of Gene Ontology (GO) terms and cell‐types were performed using significant and/or hub genes. The MCSA transcriptome was further deconvoluted to obtain cell‐type proportions and cell‐type specific expression. Result Blood transcriptome modules M5 and M8 are upregulated in AD/MCI and associate with worse cognition, whereas M1, M10, M13, M16, and M21 are downregulated in AD/MCI and associate with better cognition. M17 associates with more microhemorrhages. Cell‐type enrichment analysis revealed that M5 is enriched in basophils, monocytes, and neutrophils; M8 in monocytes and neutrophils; M13 in natural kills cells; M17 in megakaryocytes; M21 in B cells. GO analysis shows broad consistency with the cell‐type enrichment analysis. M1, 5, and 8 are preserved in the brain network modules. From these modules, we prioritized transcripts significantly associated with at least one AD‐related phenotype in both blood and brain. Cell‐type deconvolution analysis shows that prioritized transcripts in M1 associate with better cognition and higher metabolic activity in B cells. Conclusion We identified blood transcripts and modules associated with AD/MCI, cognition, or neuroimaging, with three preserved in brain networks. These three modules represent centrally linked peripheral molecular signatures that can reveal perturbed brain pathways and cell level transcriptional changes in AD/MCI. We aim to further investigate the prioritized transcripts in additional datasets to establish them as potential novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Abstract Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by the presence of extracellular amyloid beta plaques and intracellular tau tangles. Related disorders share aspects of AD pathology including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a tauopathy, and pathologic aging (PA) defined by presence of amyloid but not tau. We hypothesize that there are shared, and distinct, brain molecular changes associated with amyloid and tau protein levels in AD and related disorders and that identifying these will provide novel insights into disease pathogenesis. Methods We collected brain multiomics measures (genetic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic and metabolomic) from donors diagnosed with AD, PSP, PA and controls. Following quality control and normalization, omics measures were tested for association with disease diagnosis and amyloid and tau neuropathology using regression models adjusting for relevant covariates. Association with biochemical measures of core AD proteins were also assessed in a subset of AD cases. Gene sets were evaluated for enrichment of cellular pathways and cell type signatures. Results We found remarkably conserved transcriptomic changes associated with AD and PSP, and downregulation of myelination pathway genes in both diseases. Among PSP cases, we found divergent patterns of transcriptional associations with distinct tau lesions. In a cohort of AD cases, we found broad transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation associated with levels of tau protein, but not amyloid beta. Conversely a genetic analysis implicated more variants associated with amyloid levels than tau. Conclusion Multi‐omics studies across various proteinopathies can identify convergent and divergent molecular signatures that are candidates for shared therapeutic targets and disease differentiating biomarkers.

Background/Objectives: Surveillance for anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) recurrence relies on clinical examination and imaging. Post-treatment edema, fibrosis, and inflammation can result in clinically indeterminate findings (CIFs) that delay diagnosis and increase patient and system burden. Circulating tumor tissue-modified viral (TTMV)-HPV DNA offers a biologically specific, noninvasive biomarker that may clarify equivocal assessments. Methods: In this multi-center retrospective study, 233 patients with HPV-associated ASCC were evaluated, including 185 with ≥1 post-treatment TTMV-HPV DNA test. CIFs were defined as exams or imaging results not definitively positive or negative for disease, and were paired with subsequent TTMV-HPV DNA tests. Concordance was defined by prespecified follow-up windows comparing TTMV-HPV DNA results with subsequent clinical outcomes. Results: Ninety patients (39%) experienced 214 CIFs, arising from exams (46%, 98) or imaging (54%, 116). Indeterminate rates by assessment were 7% for exams, 17% for imaging, and 1.3% for TTMV-HPV DNA testing. Overall, 52 CIF/TTMV-HPV DNA pairs were eligible for analysis, and TTMV-HPV DNA resolved disease status accurately for 48/52 (92%, 95% CI: 81.5–97.9). Negative tests predicted cancer-free status for 37/41 CIFs (90%), while 100% of positive tests (11/11) were concordant with clinically confirmed recurrence. In 73% of positive cases (8/11), TTMV-HPV DNA was the first indication of recurrence (median lead-time 29 days; IQR 25–147). Conclusions: TTMV-HPV DNA testing reliably clarifies clinically indeterminate findings during ASCC surveillance, demonstrating high accuracy (92%) and earlier detection of recurrence. These data support integration into post-treatment management to reduce diagnostic uncertainty and guide timely care.

Abstract Women remain underrepresented in physical medicine and rehabilitation, comprising only 36%–39% of residents despite evidence that diverse teams improve patient outcomes. Limited early exposure and systemic barriers may contribute to this disparity. In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 1101 US premedical students from 198 colleges across 40 states and territories to assess perceptions of physical medicine and rehabilitation and identify effective early intervention strategies. While respondents included all gender identities, the analysis focused on the 870 female-identifying students (78.8%) due to the study’s primary aim of addressing gender equity in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Only 30.6% were familiar with physical medicine and rehabilitation, with exposure primarily through social media (42.6%) and personal connections (31.1%); just 9.0% had shadowed a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Financial concerns were prevalent, with 68.6% citing medical education costs and 66.4% citing application fees as deterrents. Despite these barriers, 60.6% expressed interest in learning more about physical medicine and rehabilitation. Preferred engagement strategies included shadowing (81.8%), interactive workshops (76.6%), mentorship programs (60.1%), and gender-specific events such as “Women in PM&R” (62.8%). These findings underscore the need for targeted, early outreach initiatives that address both informational and financial barriers, aiming to foster greater awareness and representation of women in physical medicine and rehabilitation and ultimately support a more inclusive physician workforce.

ABSTRACT Background Pulsed‐field ablation (PFA) offers myocardial selectivity with minimal thermal injury, but depth for ventricular lesions may be insufficient or heterogeneous at clinically tolerable field strengths. Calcium electroporation—local calcium chloride (CaCl₂) infusion after PFA—may amplify electroporation‐mediated cell death while maintaining low energy settings. Objective To determine whether immediate post‐PFA CaCl₂ infusion enhances acute and chronic ventricular lesion formation in vivo. Methods Nine swine underwent focal ventricular PFA (750–1000 V, biphasic, 20 μs × 50 pulses, 200 ms interpulse) via an irrigated focal catheter and benchtop electroporator. Immediately post‐PFA, lesions were randomized to saline, 0.2 g Ca, or 0.4 g Ca infused locally through the catheter tip. Acute hearts were explanted for TTC analysis; surviving animals were studied at 7 days for chronic lesion geometry. Results Among 41 acute lesions (17 control, 12 Ca 0.2 g, 12 Ca 0.4 g), Ca 0.4 g increased dark‐zone depth (3.5 ± 1.4 vs. 2.3 ± 0.8 mm; p = 0.038) and pale‐zone depth (2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 1.3 ± 0.8 mm; p = 0.011) versus control. At 7 days ( n = 33 lesions), Ca 0.4 g produced larger scars than control (width 11.6 ± 2.1 vs. 10.0 ± 1.9 mm; p = 0.027; depth 4.2 ± 1 vs. 3.0 ± 0.8 mm; p < 0.001; volume 193.6.4 ± 82.3 vs. 109.4 ± 48.2 mm³; p = 0.001). Conclusions Local CaCl₂ infusion after ventricular PFA significantly augments acute electroporation effect and chronic lesion size at low output, supporting facilitated PFA as a strategy for deeper, more durable ventricular ablation.

Abstract Vaccine‐induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a new disorder that emerged in the wake of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccination. It is a rare but life‐threatening condition that requires an aggressive course of treatment to improve patient outcomes. Currently, the diagnosis of VITT relies on a comprehensive panel of criteria, including a history of recent vaccination, platelet count, positive enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) result for a closely related thrombotic disorder, heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), and platelet factor 4 (PF4)‐dependent functional assays. The study describes a technically simple antigenic assay designed to detect autoimmune antibodies associated with VITT. It is first shown that cross‐linked platelet factor 4 (c‐PF4) represents an antigenic target specific for VITT/VITT‐like Abs. This antigenic target is then incorporated into a microfluidic electrochemical biosensor and specific and sensitive detection of VITT/VITT‐like antibodies is demonstrated in a fully automated manner while using microliter volumes of patient sera. Fifty‐five serum samples are tested using the microfluidic electrochemical biosensor and demonstrated high accuracy for the detection of VITT sera and VITT‐like monoclonal gammopathy of thrombotic ignificance (MGTS) antibodies compared to healthy controls and HIT patients. It is envisioned that the microfluidic electrochemical biosensor will be used in combination with other clinical criteria to enable timely, sensitive, and specific diagnosis of VITT.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can cause radiation-induced changes (RIC), but its interactions with AVM embolization are not well established. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of previous embolization on RIC in SRS-treated AVM patients. METHODS: Data of AVM patients treated with single-session SRS from 1987 to 2018 were retrieved from the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation. Univariable and stepwise backward logistic regression models were used to identify RIC predictors. Patients were stratified into those who received pre-SRS embolization (E + SRS) vs those who did not (SRS-only). Radiologic RIC (rRIC) was the primary end point. Secondary outcomes included symptomatic RIC (sRIC) and permanent symptomatic RIC (pRIC). RESULTS: Among 1187 AVM patients, the mean age was 36.4 years (SD 16.8), with 50.4% female patients. AVMs had a mean untreated AVM volume of 5.2 cm 3 . A total of 130 patients (11%) underwent neoadjuvant embolization (E + SRS). The overall rRIC and sRIC rates were 32.8% and 12.1%, respectively, with time to rRIC and sRIC being significantly longer in the E + SRS vs SRS-only cohorts (103.6 ± 339.4 vs 11.3 ± 12.5 and 60.4 ± 262.9 vs 9.5 ± 9.0 months, respectively). Seizures at presentation and ≥3-cm untreated AVM volume significantly correlated with a higher likelihood of rRIC (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.32 [1.25-4.30] and aOR 2.77 [1.24-6.16], respectively). Age and pre-SRS embolization were associated with a significantly lower risk of rRIC (aOR 0.97 [0.96-0.99] and aOR 0.32 [0.13-0.74], respectively). The E + SRS cohort had significantly reduced odds of rRIC (aOR = 0.37 [0.15-0.89]) and pRIC (aOR = 0.04 [0.00-0.30]) after adjusting for significant covariates. CONCLUSION: Seizures at presentation and larger untreated AVM volume were independently associated with an increased risk of rRIC, whereas older age and pre-SRS embolization were protective. Notably, patients who underwent embolization before SRS had lower odds of rRIC and pRIC, with delayed onset of complications compared with SRS-only.

Abstract Background 0.05% Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is now commonly used as an antiseptic irrigation for inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery. Limited in vitro data suggest compatibility of 0.05% CHG with antibiotic impregnated IPP devices; however, very little clinical research exists to guide use of 0.05% CHG in this population. Aim Assess the relationship of 0.05% CHG and antibiotic impregnated IPP infection in a large multi-institutional cohort. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a multi-institutional cohort of patients who underwent antibiotic impregnated IPP implantation. We identified cases using intraoperative 0.05% CHG and an equal number of consecutive control cases without 0.05% CHG use from each center for comparison. The primary outcome was IPP infection requiring explantation. Patient demographics and surgical variables were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression to identify variables associated with infection. Outcomes The primary outcome was IPP infection requiring device explanation. Results Among 14 participating institutions, 761 cases using an antibiotic impregnated IPP were analyzed. Of these, 348 (45.7%) had 0.05% CHG used during the case. Median follow-up was 4 months (interquartile range 1-12) for the 0.05% CHG group and 8 months (interquartile range 2-21) for the control group. Intraoperative 0.05% CHG utilization was not associated with antibiotic impregnated IPP infection rate (1.9% vs. 2.0%, P = .9). On multivariable analysis, prior IPP infection (OR 6.32, 95% CI 1.32-30.2, P = .021) and prior priapism (OR 10.01, 95% CI 1.18-89.7, P = .039) were associated with increased infection risk. Clinical implications The use of 0.05% CHG irrigation with antibiotic impregnated IPPs was associated with similar infection rates compared to antibiotic irrigation. Strengths and limitations Limitations include the use of a historical comparator cohort which may introduce unknown confounders, practice variation between multiple sites, shorter follow-up in the 0.05% CHG cohort, and the low incidence of IPP infection which may limit statistical power despite a large sample. The major strengths include the large, multi-institutional cohort, and the use of consecutive patients to minimize selection bias. Conclusion 0.05% CHG utilization was not associated with infection rates in antibiotic impregnated IPPs.