Citations

Abstract Globe-sparing surgery for orbit-involving sinonasal neoplasms (OISNs) is increasingly an option since the introduction of effective neoadjuvant treatments. Even if vision is preserved, loss of orbital support structures can cause major ocular sequelae. This study analyzed long-term ophthalmic outcomes following globe-sparing maxillectomy (GSM). We retrospectively reviewed all cases of GSM for OISNs with at least 1 year of ophthalmology follow-up at a tertiary care multisite institution from 2005 to 2024. Patient demographics, surgical details, ophthalmic findings, and final oncologic status were recorded. Orbital involvement was graded based on preoperative computed tomography imaging, and outcomes were compared across orbital involvement grades. Thirty-three patients (39% female) were included, with a mean age of 56 ± 18 years and a median follow-up of 2 years (range 1–12 years). Eleven patients (33%) had Grade I, 19 (58%) had Grade II, and 3 (9%) had Grade III involvement. With higher grades of orbital involvement, patients had a higher likelihood of receiving a preoperative ophthalmic exam (p < 0.001) and experiencing preoperative globe malposition (p = 0.015). Patients with higher-grade orbital involvement had a greater frequency of most ophthalmic symptoms postoperatively. Final best visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 82% of Grade I patients and 71% of Grade II/III patients (p = 0.681). GSM for OISNs offers a favorable visual prognosis. Ocular structural and functional impairment were observed at high frequency after surgery, even with lower-grade orbital involvement. Establishing ophthalmic care for all OISN patients is critical to adequately manage ocular sequelae.

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives Among patient with early‐stage breast cancer, breast conservation surgery (BCS) is the most performed surgery, utilized in approximately two‐thirds of patients. While 5‐year overall‐survival rates are strong—typically above 90%—additional re‐excisions can occur in up to 25% of patients who undergo index BCS and some patients will require subsequent surgery for new breast cancer or recurrences. As such, these additional procedures can complicate patients’ pathway to survivorship, negatively impact quality of life, and lead to excess healthcare costs. Methods This retrospective cohort study used linked claims and an electronic healthcare record database to (1) characterize patients at higher risk for additional breast oncologic surgery (aBOS) following BCS, and (2) quantify the long‐term financial impact of aBOS after BCS. In total, 87,190 patients with breast cancer, who had an index BCS between January 1, 2012, to March 31, 2023, were followed for up to 5‐years post‐operatively. Patients with and without aBOS were analyzed, comparing demographics, tumor characteristics, healthcare utilization, and per‐person‐per‐month (PPPM) costs. Results Twenty‐three percent ( n = 20,212) of patients underwent aBOS. These patients were younger, had higher tumor grades and larger tumor sizes, and incurred greater healthcare costs compared to patients who did not undergo a secondary surgery. Conclusion This study highlights significant factors influencing BCS outcomes and healthcare utilization, underscoring the need for tailored therapeutic strategies for patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 long-QT syndrome results from KCNH2 -encoded Kv11.1 loss-of-function, but whether secondary inward-current dysfunction amplifies dysfunction remains unclear. METHODS: We characterized sodium ( SCN5A , I Na ) and L-type calcium channel ( CACNA1C , I Ca ) function in KCNH2-G604S and variant-corrected isogenic control induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). Whole-cell patch-clamp measured action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90), and potassium (I Kr ), sodium (I Na ), and calcium (I Ca, L ) currents. Fluo-4 imaging quantified calcium transients. A modified Kernik-Clancy iPSC-CM model incorporated experimentally measured persistent I Na,L and I Ca,L fractions and simulated isolated and combined current defects. RESULTS: KCNH2-G604S caused severe I Kr loss-of-function (72.5% reduction). APD90 was prolonged in G604S-iPSC-CMs (765±58 ms) compared with isogenic controls (368±37 ms; P <0.005), with early afterdepolarizations in 50% of G604S cells. Nifedipine, verapamil, and mexiletine successfully shortened APD90 and abolished early afterdepolarizations. Compared with isogenic control, I Na,L (0.60±0.1% versus 0.26±0.06%; P <0.01), persistent I Ca,L (2.88±0.55% versus 1.26±0.35%; P <0.05), and calcium transient decay times ( P <0.0001) were greater in G604S iPSC-CMs. Increased persistent I Ca,L was phenocopied by E-4031 in isogenic controls and reduced by nifedipine in G604S iPSC-CMs. In silico modeling revealed that the I Kr defect alone prolonged APD90 to only 620 ms. The addition of the observed I Na,L defect had a small additive effect (+20 ms); however, incorporating persistent I Ca,L synergistically extended APD90 to 758 ms, replicating the experimental phenotype. Flux dynamics analysis indicated that this persistent Ca 2+ entry suppresses the forward-mode sodium-calcium exchanger, forcing a compensatory reliance on sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase that primes for calcium instability. CONCLUSIONS: The KCNH2-G604S variant drives a severe multihit phenotype via primary I Kr loss-of-function and secondary state-dependent gain-of-function in persistent I Ca,L . These comprehensive validations demonstrate that the remodeled persistent I Ca,L acts as the essential amplifier driving extreme action potential duration prolongation and Ca 2+ mishandling.

Abstract Objective&#xD;X-ray angiography and fluoroscopy systems are used to diagnose and treat congenital heart disease in pediatric patients. Among the substantial variabilities in this clinical patient population is that patient weight ranges from <1 kg premature infants to large adolescents. The primary aim of this work was to assess whether an air gap or antiscatter grid is more efficient to mitigate the detrimental influence of scatter radiation on pediatric image quality.&#xD;Approach&#xD;The experimental approach was guided by a 2 year review of pediatric patient imaging conditions. Uniform density water-equivalent phantoms with thickness in the range 6-24 cm were used. For each phantom thickness, the X-ray technique was manually set to mimic the technique selected by automatic dose rate control. The influence of four combinations of air gap and ratio 15:1 antiscatter grid on test object SNR was measured. The air gap was varied by changing the X-ray source to detector distance from 107 to 120 cm. The analytical methods estimated pixel-specific snr2 contributions to object SNR2, thus providing for the use of iodine disks and pediatric implantable devices as test objects.&#xD;Main results&#xD;Patient weight ranged from 0.5 to 134 kg. The relationship between patient water equivalent thickness and weight was demonstrated. For all phantom thicknesses, object SNR was highest using a long air gap, non-grid technique. Decreasing the air gap between the phantom and detector and use of the anti-scatter grid both degraded SNR. These major findings were consistent between iodine disks and clinical devices as test objects.&#xD;Significance&#xD;The findings of this phantom study suggest that a long air gap, non-grid imaging technique may improve radiation dose efficiency of fluoroscopy and angiography imaging across a broad range of pediatric patient sizes.&#xD;

Abstract Background The THA-10 Score is a risk stratification tool to help predict 10-year conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) following hip arthroscopy (HA) for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). It is intuitive that the score demonstrated predictive accuracy on the original cohort utilized to create the metric. However, external validation has not yet been conducted. The purpose of the present study was to externally validate the THA-10 Score using a large single-institution cohort with long-term follow-up. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent primary HA with labral repair and capsular repair between 2011 and 2015. Inclusion criteria required a minimum of 10-year follow-up. Exclusion criteria included revision surgery, Tonnis grade ≥2, lateral center-edge angle &lt;18°, or periacetabular osteotomy. The THA-10 Score was calculated by assigning points for body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (1 point), Tonnis grade 1 (1 point), age ≥47 years (2 points), and high-grade (Outerbridge grade 3 or 4) acetabular and femoral head chondral defects (3 points each). Discrimination was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and calibration was evaluated using the Brier score. Results The final cohort consisted of 215 patients (74.0% female, mean age 33.6 ± 13.0 years, mean BMI 26.9 ± 6.4 kg/m2). At a mean follow-up of 11.1 years (range 10.0-13.9 years), 23 patients (10.7%) underwent conversion to THA. The THA-10 Score demonstrated sufficient discrimination with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.763. Calibration analysis demonstrated a Brier score of 0.078 with a p-value of 0.115, which is consistent with appropriate model calibration. Patients with THA-10 Scores ≥4 had 10.4-times greater odds of conversion to THA compared to those with scores &lt;4 (p&lt;0.001). Conclusions The THA-10 Score demonstrated sufficient discrimination and appropriate calibration for predicting 10-year THA conversion after HA for FAI. These findings support the use of the THA-10 Score as a counseling and risk-stratification tool in patients undergoing HA.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p‑tau217) immunoassays are increasingly being used to assess Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology despite limited data affirming test reliability over time. METHODS Clinical performance of the Fujirebio Lumipulse G p‑tau217 assay was assessed in 744 Mayo Clinic patients presenting for evaluation of cognitive impairment between July 2024 and December 2025. Cerebrospinal fluid p‑tau181/amyloid beta 42 or amyloid positron emission tomography, within 1 year of p‐tau217 testing, were used as reference. Analytical robustness was evaluated by tracking result frequencies over time, conducting quality control checks, performing 10 lot‑to‑lot comparisons, and comparing two versions of reagents. RESULTS Diagnostic accuracy for detection of AD pathology was 93% (95% confidence interval 91–95) with 23% intermediate results. Reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate was associated with increased intermediate results among amyloid‐negative individuals. Result frequencies remained stable, average imprecision was 8%, and analytical bias between lots and version changes were ≤ 11%. DISCUSSION The findings support plasma p‐tau217 reliability in clinical practice for evaluation of cognitively impaired individuals.

Purpose To identify risk factors for medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRT) and arthroplasty‐free survival in postmenopausal women, while secondary objectives included analyzing menopause‐specific factors associated with MMPRT and defining risk factors for conversion to arthroplasty in patients with a confirmed MMPRT. Methods All patients at our institution with a diagnosed meniscal tear through December 2024 were identified. From this cohort, women with a menopausal diagnosis preceding their meniscal tear were matched one‐to‐one with men by age and body mass index. Imaging studies were reviewed to identify MMPRTs. Subsequent arthroplasty, Charlson Comorbidity Index, menopausal type (surgical or physiologic), hormone replacement therapy, bisphosphonate usage, and bone mineral density were recorded. Logistic and Cox regression were used to define risk factors for MMPRT and arthroplasty; survivorship was determined using Kaplan‐Meier analyses. Results The final cohort consisted of 1564 patients (n = 782 women) with a median age of 63 years, of which 244 patients (15.6%) had MMPRT. Age and female sex were associated with MMPRT. The presence of an MMPRT, female sex, body mass index, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were associated with arthroplasty. Among postmenopausal women, age at menopause, surgical menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and bone mineral density were associated with MMPRT. For patients with MMPRT, female sex was associated with arthroplasty. Ten‐year survivorship‐free from arthroplasty in patients with MMPRT was 53.5% for women and 78.4% for men ( P = .02). Conclusions Postmenopausal status, age, and hormone replacement therapy usage are risk factors for MMPRT. Compared with men, postmenopausal women with MMPRT exhibit reduced arthroplasty‐free survival, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Abstract Skin and soft tissues infections (SSTIs) are common conditions, affecting millions worldwide. SSTIs range from uncomplicated cellulitis to necrotizing fasciitis and can be divided into non-purulent and purulent forms. Non-purulent SSTI is most commonly associated with beta-haemolytic streptococci, while purulent SSTI is typically associated with Staphylococcus aureus . Cellulitis most commonly presents with acute warmth, pain, tenderness to palpation, erythema, and oedema. Skin abscess typically presents with a fluctuant tender area with erythema. Laboratory testing is of limited use in most patients. Point-of-care ultrasound is useful for distinguishing cellulitis from abscess if the diagnosis is unclear. Management of SSTI includes antibiotics such as penicillin VK, dicloxacillin, or a cephalosporin, while treatment for skin abscess includes incision and drainage, with antibiotics recommended in select patients. Patients should elevate the affected extremity when possible, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce pain and inflammation. The effectiveness of decolonization for patients with recurrent cellulitis or skin abscess is controversial. While most patients with cellulitis or skin abscess are appropriate for discharge with follow-up, patients with sepsis and those with challenges adhering to therapy, immunosuppression, or failed outpatient therapy should be referred to the emergency department. Novel antibiotics such as tedizolid, delafloxacin, omadacycline, and ceftaroline may be considered in select cases.