Citations

Background: Blood volume (BV) in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) is characterized by heterogeneity in volume profiles; one profile being "normal BV". While overall intravascular volume may be considered normal clinically, the relative contributions of red blood cell (RBC) mass and plasma volume (PV) may not be. Objective: Assess how normal is a "normal BV" based on quantitative measures of RBC mass and PV. Methods: Retrospective analysis was undertaken in 395 patients with Class II-III HF. BV was quantitated using indicator-dilution methodology. Cohort was stratified by normal and hypervolemic BV. Results: Of the cohort, 31% (123/395) demonstrated normal total BV and 62% (244/395) hypervolemic BV. Of patients with "normal BV", 36% (44/123) demonstrated normal RBC mass and 60% normal PV (74/123). Importantly, 60% (74/123) demonstrated a deficit in RBC mass (true anemia), while a low hemoglobin (<12 g/dL) was present in just 29% (36/123). An excess in RBC mass (erythrocytosis) in 4% (5/123). Notably, true normal BV (i.e., normal RBC mass and normal PV) was observed in only 30% (37/123) of patients with an overall "normal" intravascular volume. Conclusions: Findings reveal that "normal BV" can be misleading by concealing substantial variability in RBC mass (including unrecognized anemia and erythrocytosis) as well as different degrees of PV expansion and contraction. An actual normal BV was identified in a minority of "normal BV" patients. This underscores the importance of looking beyond overall "normal BV" to the contributing elements of RBC mass and PV with significant implications for patient management and outcomes.

ABSTRACT Venetoclax (Ven) plus hypomethylating agents (HMA) is standard frontline therapy for newly diagnosed AML (ND‐AML) patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy and is also considered in younger, fit patients. However, consolidation with allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT) is often required to secure durable remission. The current study examines posttransplant outcomes in patients with ND‐AML treated with frontline Ven‐HMA who subsequently underwent ASCT. A total of 111 ND‐AML patients (58% male, 60% secondary/therapy‐related, median age 70 years [range, 37–80]) received a median of 3 cycles of Ven‐HMA. Mutations at the time of diagnosis included RUNX1 (18%), SRSF2 (17%), TP53 (16%), ASXL1 , IDH2 , K/NRAS , TET2 (14% each), STAG2 (11%), DNMT3A (8%). All patients were in CR/CRi at the time of transplant including 88% after Ven‐HMA. Measurable residual disease (MRD) by flow cytometry was detectable in 18/76 (24%) patients. Donors were mostly HLA‐matched unrelated (75%); 51% receiving fludarabine/melphalan conditioning and 67% posttransplant cyclophosphamide. At a median follow‐up of 15 months, 42 (38%) of patients have died and 18 (16%) experienced posttransplant relapse. Median posttransplant survival was not reached (NR), with 1‐, 2‐, 3‐year survival rates of 69%/60%/57%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, age ≥ 65 years, STAG2 mutation ( STAG2 MUT ) , and DNMT3A MUT were associated with superior posttransplant survival. Patients were stratified into low‐ (0–1 point), intermediate‐ (2 points), and high‐risk (3 points); age < 65 years, STAG2 wild type, and DNMT3A wild type, with 3‐year survival rates of 89%, 59%, and 19%, respectively ( p < 0.01). Taken together, age, STAG2 MUT and DNMT3A MUT stratified posttransplant survival in Ven‐HMA treated patients with ND‐AML.

Background: Viral myocarditis presents a significant burden of disease, particularly among children and young adults. However, clinical guidelines and treatment strategies for pediatric patients are derived from those for adult patients due to a lack of pediatric data. Current animal models of viral myocarditis use adult mice, so conclusions from these models cannot necessarily be extrapolated to the pediatric population. We sought to develop a juvenile mouse model of myocarditis to examine differences between these two distinct clinical populations. Methods: Male and female BALB/c 3-4-week-old 'juvenile' and 8-week-old 'adult' mice were infected intraperitoneally with 103 PFU of heart-passaged coxsackievirus B3. Sera was used to evaluate testosterone and estradiol levels. Cardiac histological evaluations included overall inflammation, fibrosis, and specific cell-type infiltration. RNA was extracted from cardiac tissue and evaluated for changes in gene expression of cell-type markers, complement components, and NLRP3 inflammasome components. Results: Juvenile mice exhibited more severe inflammation than adult mice but no sex differences in overall inflammation. Juvenile mice demonstrated increased infiltration of CD11b+ cells, F4/80+ cells, and CD3+ T-cells vs. adults. Inflammasome genes NLRP3 and caspase-1 were significantly increased in juvenile compared with adult myocarditis. Conclusions: This paper is the first to describe a juvenile mouse model of coxsackievirus B3 myocarditis and provides a direct comparison to a translational adult mouse model. Juvenile mice had greater cardiac inflammation than adults. This model replicates clinical populations and provides a valuable tool to study age as a factor in the pathogenesis of myocarditis.

Abstract Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of fenfluramine in patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) stratified by age, number of previously attempted antiseizure medications (ASMs), and SCN1A pathogenic variant status. Methods In this post hoc analysis, data from three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with DS (2–18 years) were pooled and stratified by age (<4; ≥4 years), number of previous ASMs (1–3; 4–6; ≥7), and SCN1A pathogenic variant status ( SCN1A +; SCN1A −). Stratified groups were assessed and compared with the pooled placebo group (change in monthly convulsive seizure frequency [MCSF], longest convulsive seizure‐free interval, and Clinical Global Impression–Improvement [CGI–I] scale scores rated by parents/caregivers and investigators), and safety (treatment‐emergent adverse events [TEAEs]: frequency, days to onset, and proportion resolved). Results Among 348 patients included in the RCTs, 216 were randomized to fenfluramine (0.7 mg/kg/day, n = 88; 0.4 mg/kg/day [with stiripentol], n = 43; 0.2 mg/kg/day, n = 85) and 132 to placebo. Compared with placebo, fenfluramine treatment (all doses combined) resulted in greater MCSF reductions, greater increases in longest convulsive seizure‐free intervals, and a higher proportion of parents/caregivers and investigators reporting clinically meaningful improvement (“Much Improved”, “Very Much Improved”) on CGI–I scores across all stratified groups. CGI–I scores were consistent across fenfluramine doses in most stratified groups, but patients with the fewest number of previous ASMs had the greatest frequency of clinically meaningful improvement on investigator‐rated CGI–I scores. Safety outcomes were similar across all strata. Most TEAEs resolved by end‐of‐study. Significance Fenfluramine treatment was associated with improved seizure outcomes and global functioning compared with placebo regardless of age, number of previous ASMs, and SCN1A status in patients with DS. Fenfluramine was well‐tolerated; no new safety signals were identified. Further studies with larger sample sizes (including adults) and a priori inferential analyses of stratified groups are warranted. Plain Language Summary Patients with Dravet syndrome struggle with seizures and everyday life. In three studies, patients aged 2–18 years received fenfluramine or placebo (sugar pill). Fenfluramine lowered seizures without many side effects. Researchers combined results from these studies to see how fenfluramine worked in different patient groups based on age, number of previous medications, and a gene called SCN1A . They looked at seizure reduction and whether doctors felt patients had improved. In all groups, fenfluramine worked better than placebo, with similar side effects. Researchers believe fenfluramine helped these patients, but some groups were small, so these results need to be confirmed.

The increase in the number of injectable filler procedures has led to a rise in associated complications, with vascular compromise being the most feared. As a result, blood flow can be interrupted, leading to ischemia, necrosis or ulcerations, pulmonary embolism, blindness, and cerebral vascular injuries. In this context, Doppler high‐frequency ultrasound (DHFUS) is a radiological tool that can be used to avoid, to diagnose, and to treat vascular complications. This study aims to review facial vessels anatomy and major variations, describe the examination technique, probe positions and teach how to recognize vascular occlusions, in order to avoid negative outcomes.

Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is an often-overlooked cause of exertional lower leg pain that is frequently misdiagnosed. Overlapping symptoms and inconsistent diagnostic approaches may delay diagnosis and prolong morbidity. The purpose of this study was to characterize the diagnostic journey of patients ultimately treated surgically for CECS and to report postoperative outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed following IRB approval. Patients diagnosed with CECS and treated operatively by the senior author between 2020 and 2025 were identified using Current Procedural Terminology ( CPT ), International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision ( ICD-9 and ICD-10 ) codes. Demographics, symptom duration, prior diagnostic workup, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Median follow-up was 42 weeks (range, 15-184 weeks). Descriptive statistics were reported. Results: Thirteen patients met inclusion criteria (mean age, 27.3 years; mean BMI, 28.3). Mean symptom duration prior to definitive diagnosis was 51.5 months, and bilateral symptoms were present in 12 patients. Most patients underwent extensive diagnostic testing and multiple unsuccessful conservative treatment strategies before referral. All patients underwent endoscopic-assisted anterolateral compartment release, with open posterior compartment fasciotomy performed when clinically indicated. Nine patients underwent bilateral procedures. At final follow-up, all patients reported symptomatic improvement and return to baseline activity. Four patients required additional evaluation for persistent posterior compartment symptoms, and 2 ultimately underwent further posterior compartment release. There were no intraoperative complications. Conclusion: CECS remains a frequently delayed diagnosis because of nonspecific symptoms, substantial overlap with other causes of exertional lower-leg pain, and limitations of currently available diagnostic tools. Although the effect of diagnostic delay on postoperative outcomes could not be directly assessed, prolonged delays were associated with substantial diagnostic burden and management complexity. Following fasciotomy, all patients reported symptomatic improvement and return to baseline activity. Greater awareness of CECS and a structured diagnostic approach may help facilitate earlier recognition and treatment. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Abstract Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders primarily caused by dominant mutations in COL1A1 or COL1A2 that impair type I procollagen folding and secretion. Misfolded collagen accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), triggering ER stress and osteoblast dysfunction and bone fragility. Current pharmacologic therapy focuses on inhibiting bone resorption but has limited efficacy and does not address the underlying biology of the disease. The epigenetic regulator Polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2) has emerged as an important regulator of bone formation. Genetic and pharmacologic disruption of PRC2 enhanced osteogenic differentiation in wild-type cells. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of the PRC2 through targeting its essential component embryonic ectoderm development (EED) enhances osteogenic differentiation, improves bone architecture in male Col1a2+/G610C OI mouse models, modulates the integrated stress response (ISR), and improves ER morphology in OI cells. These findings identify EED inhibition as a novel epigenetic strategy to restore collagen homeostasis and improve skeletal integrity in OI.

This study presents a refined murine MetALD model designed to distinguish ethanol-modified features from FFC-driven metabolic steatohepatitis. Chronic ethanol did not uniformly worsen liver injury. Instead, it selectively modified disease trajectory through greater early collagen-positive fibrotic remodeling, altering lipid-droplet architecture, and context-dependent inflammatory chemokine signaling. By 24 wk, FFC and FFC/ethanol injury programs converged, supporting MetALD as a timing- and pathway-dependent modification of metabolic steatohepatitis.

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains highly lethal, but the contribution of nonbiological factors to long‐term survival is unclear. We evaluated demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, treatment, and care‐delivery factors associated with 3‐year survival and whether these associations persisted at 5 years. Methods National Cancer Database patients with stage I–III PDAC diagnosed from 2012 to 2022 were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for treatment pathway. Results Among 57,053 patients, 51,071 were eligible for a 3‐year analysis, and 12,205 (23.9%) survived. Compared with chemotherapy alone, surgery with chemotherapy (OR, 7.12; 95% CI, 6.64–7.63) and surgery alone (OR, 3.84; 95% CI, 3.49–4.23) had the strongest associations with survival. Younger age, lower comorbidity, Asian race, Spanish/Hispanic ethnicity, private insurance, lower grade, body or tail location, and lower nodal burden were independently associated with survival. Black race and treatment timing were not significant after adjustment. Findings were directionally consistent at 5 years. Conclusion Demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors independently influence 3‐year survival in PDAC. These findings underscore the need to complement biologic and therapeutic advances with structural interventions, such as insurance expansion and improved access to high‐quality centers, to mitigate disparities and improve outcomes in this highly lethal cancer.

Background: Acrylate allergy is rising, with many patients showing patch test positivity to multiple acrylates. Understanding acrylate sensitivity can guide avoidance and optimize screening. Objectives: To quantify acrylate patch test positivity, define subgroups using hierarchical clustering, and algorithmically optimize acrylate patch testing series. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 27 acrylate allergens patch tested at 3 Mayo Clinic sites (Arizona, Florida, Minnesota) from 1997 to 2024; 14 had ≥1% positivity. Pairwise copositivity rates were background-corrected and analyzed using hierarchical clustering, followed by computational optimization for patch test screening. Results: Among 17,148 patients, 90,818 tests yielded 1,557 positives (1.71%). Most frequent positive reactions were 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate 0.1% (HEA, 5.4%), 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate 2% (HPMA, 5.0%), and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate 2% (HEMA, 4.6%). Clustering revealed 2 general subgroups, with ethyl cyanoacrylate 10% (ECA) showing minimal copositivity to other acrylates. Optimization analysis for screening showed that one allergen (HEMA) captured 49.4% of sensitized patients; 2 (HEMA + ECA) captured 72.2%. Four allergens, including HEMA, ECA, HEA, and diethylene glycol diacrylate 0.1% (DEGDA), captured >90%, and a 7-allergen series captured 100%, with no higher yield from additional acrylates in standard screening. Conclusions: Acrylate allergy is heterogeneous, comprising 2 subgroups, with cyanoacrylates co-reacting separately. Algorithm-guided series refinement improves diagnostic efficiency by prioritizing high-yield allergens for screening while minimizing unnecessary testing.