Citations

Objective To compare the efficacy of abatacept to placebo for the treatment of relapsing, nonsevere granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Methods In this multicenter trial, eligible patients with relapsing, nonsevere GPA were randomized to receive abatacept 125 mg subcutaneously once a week or placebo, both together with prednisone 30 mg/day (or equivalent), tapered and discontinued at week 12. Patients already taking methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate, or leflunomide continued this medication at a stable dose. Patients achieving remission remained on their randomized assignment until relapse, early termination, or the common close date 12 months after enrollment of the last patient. Those who had a nonsevere relapse, had nonsevere worsening, or were not in remission by month 6 had the option to receive open‐label abatacept. The primary end point was the rate of treatment failure, defined as relapse, disease worsening, or failure to achieve a Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener's Granulomatosis (BVAS/WG) of 0 or 1 by six months. Results Sixty‐five patients were randomized; 34 received abatacept and 31 received placebo. No statistical difference in the treatment failure rate was found between those who received abatacept and those who received placebo ( P = 0.853). Treatment with abatacept did not demonstrate any statistical difference from placebo in key secondary end points, including time to full remission (BVAS/WG = 0), duration of glucocorticoid‐free remission, relapse severity, prevention of damage, and patient‐reported quality‐of‐life outcomes. There was no difference in the frequency or severity of adverse events between treatment arms, including infection. Conclusion In patients with relapsing, nonsevere GPA, abatacept did not reduce the risk of relapse, severe worsening, or failure to achieve remission.

Abstract Background The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) introduced an approach for malnutrition diagnosis in 2019 that comprised screening followed by assessment of three phenotypic criteria (weight loss, low body mass index [BMI], and low muscle mass) and two etiologic criteria (reduced food intake/assimilation and inflammation/disease burden). This planned update reconsiders the GLIM framework based on published knowledge and experience over the past 5 years. Methods A working group ( n = 43 members) conducted a literature search spanning 2019–2024 using the keywords “Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition or GLIM.” Prior GLIM guidance activities for using the criteria on muscle mass and inflammation were reviewed. Successive rounds of revision and review were used to achieve consensus. Results More than 400 scientific reports were published in peer‐reviewed journals, forming the basis of 10 systematic reviews, some including meta‐analyses of GLIM validity that indicate strong construct and predictive validity. Limitations and future priorities are discussed. Working group findings suggest that assessment of low muscle mass should be guided by experience and available technological resources. Clinical judgment may suffice to evaluate the inflammation/disease burden etiologic criterion. No revisions of the weight loss, low BMI, or reduced food intake/assimilation criteria are suggested. After two rounds of review and revision, the working group secured 100% agreement with the conclusions reported in the 5‐year update. Conclusion Ongoing initiatives target priorities that include malnutrition risk screening procedures, GLIM adaptation to the intensive care setting, assessment in support of the reduced food intake/assimilation criterion, and determination of malnutrition in obesity.

Abstract Emphysema’s significant morbidity and mortality underscore the need for reliable outcome metrics in clinical trials. However, commonly accepted chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outcome measures do not adequately capture emphysema severity or progression. Computed tomography (CT) metrics have been validated as accurate indicators of pathological emphysema and predictors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease progression, exacerbations, and mortality. This position paper reviews the evidence supporting CT densitometry as a biomarker for emphysema, establishes implementation standards, and highlights areas for future research. A systematic literature review addressed three key questions: whether CT densitometry can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of emphysema, whether CT densitometry can be used as a prognostic biomarker, and whether longitudinal change in densitometry can be used as a disease progression monitoring biomarker. Emphysema metrics, such as the percentage of low attenuation areas below −950 Hounsfield units, are validated, highly reproducible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Volume-adjusted lung density is recommended for disease monitoring. Both metrics demonstrate a scan–rescan intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99 with proper technique. The paper also discusses relevant CT physics, techniques, and sources of variation, including technical factors, physiological changes, and software analysis. Key recommendations for clinical trials include using standardized CT techniques, proper subject selection, and longitudinal evaluation with volume-adjusted lung density.

Importance Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has been shown to reduce peritransplant complications. Despite increasing NMP use in liver transplant (LT), there is a scarcity of real-world clinical experience data. Objective To compare LT outcomes between donation after brain death (DBD) and donation after circulatory death (DCD) allografts preserved with NMP or static cold storage (SCS). Design, Setting, and Participants This single-center, retrospective observational cohort study included all consecutive adult LTs performed between January 2019 and December 2023 at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Data analysis was performed between February 2024 and June 2024. Outcomes of DBD-SCS, DBD-NMP, DCD-SCS, and DCD-NMP transplants were compared. Exposure DBD and DCD livers preserved on NMP or SCS. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were early allograft dysfunction (EAD), intraoperative transfusion, and post-LT hospital resource use, including length of stay (LOS) and readmissions. Secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury (AKI) and 1-year graft and patient survival. Results A total of 1086 LTs were included in the following 4 groups: DBD-SCS (n = 480), DBD-NMP (n = 63), DCD-SCS (n = 264), and DCD-NMP (n = 279). Among LT recipients, median (IQR) age was 60.0 years (52.0-66.0); 399 LT recipients (36.7%) were female. DCD-NMP had the lowest EAD rate (17.5%), followed by DCD-SCS (50.0%), DBD-NMP (36.8%), and DBD-SCS (27.3%) ( P < .001). DCD-NMP had the lowest intraoperative transfusion requirement compared to all other groups. Hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS were shortest in DCD-NMP (median [IQR] hospital LOS, 5.0 days [4.0-7.0]; P = .01; median [IQR] ICU LOS, 1.5 days [1.2-3.1]; P = .01). One-year cumulative readmission probability was 86% lower for DCD-NMP vs DCD-SCS (95% CI, 0.09-0.22; P < .001) and 53% lower for DBD-NMP vs DBD-SCS (95% CI, 0.26-0.87; P < .001). AKI events were lower in DCD-NMP (31.1%) vs DCD-SCS (47.4%) ( P = .001). Compared to SCS, the NMP group had a 78% overall reduction in graft failure (hazard ratio [HR], 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10-0.49; P < .001). For those receiving DCD allografts, the risk reduction was even more pronounced, with an 87% decrease in graft failure (HR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.05-0.33; P < .001). NMP was significantly protective from patient mortality vs SCS (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12-0.80; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance In this observational high-volume cohort study, NMP significantly improved LT clinical outcomes and reduced hospital resource use, especially in DCD allografts. NMP may enhance access to LT by addressing the challenges historically linked with DCD liver use.

Background. DEPDC5 (disheveled, Egl-10 and pleckstrin domain-containing protein 5) familial epilepsy syndrome is a group of epilepsy disorders caused by mutations in DEPDC5 gene, which is a part of the gap activity towards rag 1 (GATOR1) complex involved in regulating the mechanism target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. These mutations lead to hyperactivation of the mTOR pathway, disrupting the shaping of neurons and resulting in increased excitatory transmission and the development of epilepsy. The incidence and prevalence of DEPDC5 familial epilepsy syndrome are not well established, but studies suggest it may account for up to 10% of familial focal epilepsy cases. Genetic testing, electroencephalography (EEG), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are important in diagnosing the disorder, although normal MRI results are common.Objective: to explain the rare sporadic mutation in DEPDC5 gene with p.R389H, a variant of unknown significance.Case report. A 6-year-old South-Asian girl was born at 34-weeks from non-consanguineous marriage without any prenatal events. She had hyperbilirubinemia by week-1, which was successfully treated with phototherapy. Her initial seizure occurred when she was three months old, just 2 days after the fever from the vaccination had subsided. It was considered a simple-febrile seizure and no treatment was given. At 3.5-months, she started having recurrent seizures. Workup including MRI/ infectious/metabolic panel was non-conclusive. EEG during the initial presentation showed epileptiform activity from the left temporal region. Despite being on multiple anti-epileptic drugs, the child was diagnosed with refractory epilepsy. Subsequently, EEG at 2.5-years showed inter-ictal bi-hemispheric epileptiform activity. EEG at 5-years showed inter-ictal spikes and wave discharges from bilateral fronto-temporal region with secondary generalization. By 3-years, MRI showed mildly deformed corpus callosum with inadequate thickening of splenium. DNA analysis confirmed heterozygous missense mutation in exon 16 of DEPDC5 gene, without chromosomal abnormalities. Mother was heterozygous for the same mutation but no mutations in the father was found. The child has grossly delayed milestones. Corrected age is approximately 1-year for fine motor and language, 1.5-years for gross motor, 2.5-years for cognition, social skills. She had developed autistic features as well with significant impaired auditory/visual processing. She had hypotonia (Right>Left), wide-based gait, and extrapyramidal movements.Conclusion. DEPDC5 gene mutation results in amino acid substitution of Histidine for Arginine at codon 389. This mutation has shown to be inherited in familial pattern. This R389H variant is not present in the 1000 genomes database and is predicted to be benign. However, It rather appears to be a sporadic mutation, which is a very rarely observed phenomena. Such patients may respond well to mTOR inhibitors such as rapamycin, making prompt diagnosis and treatment crucial.