Citations

ABSTRACT Premature infants often require supplemental oxygen therapy, however, exposure to supraphysiological oxygen (hyperoxia) can disrupt normal lung development and contribute to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a contributor to hyperoxia-induced BPD. However, the effects of hyperoxia on mitochondrial function and mucociliary differentiation in the developing upper airway epithelium remain poorly understood. This study tested the hypothesis that hyperoxia impairs neonatal airway mucociliary differentiation by disrupting mitochondrial bioenergetic function. Neonatal tracheal airway epithelial cells (nTAECs) from term infants (n=5) were cultured in a 3D air-liquid interface (ALI) model and exposed to 60% O₂ during the mid-phase of differentiation (ALI day 7-14). Cellular phenotype was assessed using immunofluorescence staining and gene expression analyses. Mitochondrial function was evaluated through Seahorse metabolic flux analysis, and global protein changes were characterized by quantitative proteomics. Hyperoxia exposure significantly impaired terminal epithelial differentiation, characterized by reductions in ciliated and goblet cells. Seahorse assay revealed a decrease in baseline oxygen consumption and mitochondrial ATP production, accompanied by a compensatory increase in glycolytic ATP production. Quantitative proteomics identified disruption of mitochondrial Complex I as a central feature of the hyperoxic response. Downstream proteomic pathway analyses further confirmed the metabolic shift from mitochondrial to glycolytic ATP production and demonstrated altered epithelial differentiation pathways, including NOTCH and TGF-β signaling. These findings reveal that moderate hyperoxia impairs mitochondrial bioenergetics and alters metabolic programming, leading to disrupted mucociliary differentiation. Future in vivo studies should evaluate mitochondrial oxidative fitness as a therapeutic target in neonatal lung disease. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We report that moderate hyperoxia during a critical window of mucociliary differentiation disrupts terminal maturation in neonatal airway epithelial cells cultured in a 3D model. Hyperoxia induced mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming, with proteomic analysis identifying Complex I disruption as a key driver of impaired differentiation. Overall, these findings reveal a previously underrecognized link between mitochondrial bioenergetics and airway epithelial development, positioning metabolic dysfunction as an early trigger of hyperoxia-induced neonatal airway injury.

Abstract Neurofibrillary tangles are dynamic neuropathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease with a hypothesized lifespan morphologically-defined by three maturity levels: pretangles, mature tangles, and ghost tangles. To better understand the progression of tangle pathophysiology, we characterized tangle maturity level predilection of 15 tau antibodies recognizing a broad range of linear, phosphorylation, conformational, and truncation epitopes in the hippocampus of 24 postmortem brains. We developed the tangle maturity scoring system to semi-quantitatively evaluate each tangle maturity level. Based on proportions of tangle maturity levels, we classified antibodies as “early” (mostly pretangles and mature tangles), “middling” (mature tangles with pretangles and ghost tangles), and “advanced” (mostly ghost tangles and mature tangles) tangle maturity markers. To summarize tangle maturity predilection, we developed the tangle maturity scale to integrate individual tangle maturity scores. Correlations showed stronger relationships between tangle maturity scale and subsector thickness for more advanced tangle maturity markers in CA1 and subiculum, whereas Braak tangle stage remained consistently correlated throughout markers of the tangle lifespan. To aid in scoring hippocampi, we used machine learning to recognize tangle maturity levels, which performed comparably to a domain expert and showed similar relationships by Spearman correlation. Pattern recognition software was used to assess tangle and neuritic tau burden separately, which generally correlated with Braak stage and neuronal counts. However, tangle-derived tau burden more consistently correlated with hippocampal subsector thickness. In conclusion, we developed manual and automated scoring systems to evaluate tangle maturity levels, demonstrating early 4R, phosphorylated, and oligomeric tau accumulation preceding more advanced 3R and truncated tau. Our study provides supportive evidence of disease-relevant ordering of tau posttranslational modifications in the brain, which may have implications for theragnostic development. These findings underscore the promise of computerized quantitative analyses (i.e., pathomics) for high-throughput feature extraction from whole-slide images to enhance our understanding of microscopically observed morphologic changes.

Palliative care (PC) has been shown to improve quality of life (QoL), reduce symptom burden, and align care with patient goals in those with serious illnesses. However, its integration into the emergency department (ED), where many patients with advanced illness present, remains underexplored and inconsistently applied. This narrative review evaluates several recent studies on ED-based palliative care, aiming to clarify whether the early benefits in symptom management and QoL are associated with reduced healthcare utilization and cost. A comprehensive literature search identified five new key studies with significant methodological differences, including variations in patient populations, outcome measures, and study designs. Some studies demonstrated short-term symptom relief, yet only one showed significant improvements in QoL at long-term follow-up. For healthcare utilization, still only one of these new studies reported substantial cost savings, underscoring the need for further research to validate financial benefits. We suggest how future work should be designed to explore both clinical and economic outcomes in tandem to establish a clear value proposition for ED-based palliative care. By addressing this lack of cohesion, we can determine the merit of ED-palliative care integrations with the goal of improving patient care and optimizing resource utilization.

SUMMARY Tuberculosis induces diverse lesions, such as necrotic pneumonia, contributing to disease progression and transmission. Despite advances in understanding the role of ATP-gated P2RX7 ion channels in developing severe forms of tuberculosis, the regulation of this important signaling pathway remains unclear. Herein, we show that the ectonucleotidase CD39 plays an essential regulatory role in TB progression by preventing lung tissue damage, bacterial dissemination, and excessive inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, through its enzymatic activity on the cellular surface, CD39 protects infected macrophages from undergoing necrotic death mediated by P2RX7 activation. We proposed that by protecting macrophages from P2RX7-mediated cell death and bacterial dissemination, CD39 prevents the development of necrotic lesions. Altogether, these findings uncover a significant role for CD39 as an essential component of the molecular regulation underlying the development of severe tuberculosis. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT Brief In tuberculosis, necrotic granuloma-like structures release extracellular ATP (eATP), which triggers P2RX7-mediated immune cell death. CD39 degrades eATP, preventing P2RX7 activation and promoting macrophage survival, thereby limiting inflammation, tissue damage, and bacterial dissemination.

569 Background: Several studies established the prognostic role of both the amount and locations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in TNBC. Three distinct immunotypes were described based on the amount and locations of TILs: immune enriched (IN), immune excluded, and immune desert. Using single-cell spatial transcriptomic analysis in the Mayo Clinic TNBC cohort, our previous studies showed the central role of interferon (IFN) signaling in IN phenotype. Herein, we evaluated the association between IFN and outcomes in TNBC in 3 independent datasets. Methods: NanoString IO360 was performed in 114 samples from FinXX (NCT00114816) to generate 22-gene IFNα and 33-gene IFNγ signatures. RNA sequencing was performed in 388 samples from CALGB 40603 (NCT00861705). 3038 TNBC samples were tested by WTS (NovaSeq; Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ). Median values were used as cut-offs for high vs low IFNγ RNA expression and 18-gene IFNγ signature scores. Caris Life Science CODEai was used to evaluate real-world overall survival (OS) obtained from insurance claims and calculated from tissue collection to last contact using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, and Cox regression were used. Results: A high 22-gene IFNα signature score was associated with significantly improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) in FinXX (hazard ratio [HR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14-0.74, p 0.007) and OS (HR 0.28, 95%CI 0.12-0.66, p 0.003). Similar findings were observed with 33-gene IFNγ signature with significant improvement in RFS (HR 0.21, 95%CI 0.09-0.51, p < 0.001) and OS (HR 0.18, 95%CI 0.08-0.44, p < 0.001). Furthermore, in CALGB 40603, both IFNα and IFNγ scores were positively associated with pathologic complete response (pCR: IFNα p 0.019 and IFNγ p 0.007) and residual cancer burden (RCB: IFNα p 0.044 and IFNγ p 0.013). Using the Caris data platform to further validate, we identified 2899 TNBC patients (pts) with genomic and clinical outcome data. High IFNγ expression was associated with significant improvement in OS (25.95 vs 17.43 months; HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.59 – 0.72, p < 0.001). Similarly, pts with high IFNγ signature scores had significant improvement in median OS (25.79 vs 16.22 months; HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.6 – 0.73, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study underscores the pivotal role of IFN signaling in TNBC. High IFNα and IFNγ signatures were consistently associated with improved RFS, OS, higher pCR rates, and lower RCB across clinical trial cohorts and real-world data. These findings signify IFN signaling as a potential key biomarker and therapeutic target in TNBC. Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882, U24CA196171; Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer SPORE (P50CA116201-17), Bankhead Coley, W81XWH-15-1-0292, P50CA015083, R35CA253187; https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org . Genentech. Clinical trial information: NCT00114816 and NCT00861705 .

570 Background: Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) plays a critical role in immune surveillance by binding peptides derived from intracellular proteins and presenting them on the cell surface for recognition by CD8+ T cells. Loss or downregulation of MHC I expression has been identified as a key mechanism of immune evasion in cancers. Here, we evaluated MHC I expression and outcomes in all subtypes of breast cancer (BC). Methods: 9,038 BC samples were analyzed via NGS (592-gene panel, NextSeq; WES/WTS, NovaSeq; Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ), including triple-negative BC (TNBC) 3,038, HER2-positive (HER2+) 1,082, and hormone receptor-positive (HR+HER2-) 4,918. Immune cell fractions were estimated using WTS deconvolution (Quantiseq). MHC I ( HLA-A / HLA-B / HLA-C )-high (H) and -low (L) were classified by RNA expression above or below the 25th percentile. Real-world overall survival (OS) was derived from insurance claims and calculated from tissue collection to last contact using Kaplan-Meier. NanoString IO360 was performed in 114 samples from the FinXX trial (NCT00114816). Statistical significance was assessed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, and Cox regression with multiple comparison adjustments (q<.05). Results: TNBC had higher expression of HLA-A and HLA-B (median TPM: 169 and 191) compared to HER2+ (146.6 and 170, q<0.05) and HR+HER2- (141.7 and 157.5, q<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in HLA-C expression across 3 BC subtypes. In TNBC, MHC I-H tumors had higher frequencies of PD-L1 positivity (66.2% vs. 13.1%) as well as higher infiltration of B cells (4.5% vs. 3.2%), M1 macrophages (5% vs. 1.5%), M2 macrophages (4% vs. 2.1%), Tregs (2.8% vs. 0.8%), CD8 + T cells (1.8% vs. 0%), dendritic cells (3.2% vs. 2.8%), higher T-cell inflamed score (137 vs. -144), and IFN g score (0.02 vs. -0.49) compared to MHC I-L TNBC (all q<.05). MHC I-H TNBC was associated with significant improvement in median OS (30.1 vs. 15.2 months, HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.46-0.65, p<0.0001). However, this survival difference was not observed in patients with MHC I-H vs. MHC I-L in HER2+ (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.74-1.47, p = 0.81) and HR+HER2- (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.75-1.02, p= 0.09) BC subtypes. We further validated the MHC I expression in the FinXX trial. Similarly, patients with MHC I-H had significant improvement in recurrence-free survival (HR 0.27, 95%CI 0.11-0.66, p = 0.002) and OS (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.09-0.57, p = 0.0005) compared to MHC I-L. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that higher MHC I expression is associated with higher immune infiltration and improved outcomes in TNBC but not in HER2+ or HR+HER2- BC subtypes. These results suggest that MHC I expression plays a critical role in the tumor microenvironment of TNBC. Future studies are needed to evaluate the prognostic value and potential therapeutic target of MHC I in TNBC. Support: Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Bankhead Coley, W81XWH-18-1-0564. Clinical trial information: NCT00114816 .

e17081 Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In early localized disease, surgery represents the mainstay treatment. However, management of metastatic and advanced stages requires multidisciplinary approach. The prognosis in metastatic prostate cancer has improved recently due to advanced pharmaceutical and interventional methods of treatment with modern diagnostic methods. In our study, we aim to investigate the impact of concomitant treatment with 2nd generation hormonal therapy and 177Lut PSMA on PSA response in patients with metastatic CRPC Methods: In a retrospective observation study including 91male patients with metastatic CRPC treated with 177Lut PSMA, we divided our cohort into 2 groups depending on whether they had 2nd generation hormonal therapy alongside their treatment with 177Lut PSMA. 43 patients received 177Lut PSMA (group A). While the other 48 patients (group B) had 2 nd generation hormone therapy with 177Lut PSMA. Primary endpoint was PSA response after they complete their therapy. Favorable PSA response was defined by PSA reduction more than 50% from baseline PSA before treatment Results: Statistical analysis identified 91 male patients, median (IQR) age of 61.5 years (56,67.75). Median (IQR) Gleason score 8 (7 - 9). Pre-177Lut PSMA PSA had a median of 2 (0.255 - 99), post-177Lut PSMA had a median of 0.15 (0.1 - 2.7). Median (IQR) 177Lut PSMA 6 (5 - 6). There was no significant change in PSA response in patients who received 177Lut PSMA alone versus 177Lut PSMA with concomitant 2 nd generation hormonal therapy. Of that, 54.17% of group B had favorable PSA response compared to 48.84% of group A (P value 0.6115). In multivariable analysis, concomitant treatment with 2nd generation hormone therapy and 177Lut PSMA has no impact on PSA response rates. Conclusions: This data suggests that concomitant treatment with 2nd generation therapy and 177Lut PSMA did not demonstrate superior PSA response than treatment with 177Lut PSMA alone. This data contributes to the current literature and serve in patients counseling. Further studies are warranted.

ABSTRACTBackgroundRenal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is an aggressive tumor associated with sickle cell trait. Despite treatment advances for other rare renal tumors, RMC survival remains poor. We aimed to describe the contemporary management and survival of children and adults with RMC.ProcedureIn this multicenter retrospective cohort study, Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative sites searched their databases for patients diagnosed with RMC (2000–2022). Descriptive statistics were calculated and survival analyses performed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression.ResultsThirty‐four patients with RMC were identified. Median age was 19 years (IQR: 15–28; range: 7–52). Most were male (24/34; 71%), Black (27/32; 84%), had sickle cell trait or disease (30/33; 91%), presented with metastatic disease (27/34; 79%), and were symptomatic at presentation (32/34; 94%). Median overall survival (OS) was 24 months from diagnosis (16 months for children, 28 months for adults, p = 0.6). Receipt of platinum‐based chemotherapy (23/34; 68%) was associated with significantly higher OS than other regimens (35 vs. 5 months, p < 0.001). Nephrectomy (24/34; 71%) was associated with significantly improved OS compared with non‐operative management (34 vs. 7 months, p = 0.001). Immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation therapy were not associated with significant differences in OS, nor were age, sex, race, sickle cell status, SMARCB1/INI‐1, stage, nephrectomy approach, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, gross residual disease, margins, or tumor size.ConclusionsRMC survival remains poor despite newer therapies. Nephrectomy and platinum‐based chemotherapy should be considered in locally advanced and metastatic disease. Coordinated international cooperative group studies are needed to meaningfully improve RMC survival.

Abstract Aims In aortic stenosis (AS), estimation of left ventricular (LV) contractility is difficult as most markers of systolic LV function are load-dependent. The ratio of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) to end-systolic wall stress (ESWS), has been widely accepted as a marker of contractility. However, no studies have evaluated if this ratio is affected by loading conditions. The study describes changes in ESWS and ESWS corrected LVEF after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods and results In this prospective study, 41 patients with severe AS underwent echocardiography, LV catheterisation, and computed tomography (CT) before and immediately after TAVR. ESWS was estimated from echocardiography alone (ESWSEcho), combining CT LV dimensions and echocardiographic gradients (ESWSCT + echo) and combining CT LV dimensions and invasively measured LV end-systolic pressure (ESWSCT + Invasive). ESWSecho, ESWSCT + echo and ESWSCT + Invasive all decreased significantly after TAVR (89 ± 48 vs. 57 ± 37 Kdynes/cm2, P &lt; 0.01; 69 ± 8 vs. 51 ± 8 Kdynes/cm2, P &lt; 0.01, and 197 ± 69 vs. 137 ± 48 Kpa/cm2, P &lt; 0.01, respectively). We observed weak to moderate associations between the methods. After TAVR, LVEF corrected to ESWSecho, ESWSCT + echo and ESWSCT + Invasive increased (0.93 ± 0.07 vs. 1.91 ± 2.1, P = 0.013; 0.36 ± 0.19 vs. 0.58 ± 0.33, P &lt; 0.01, and 0.3 ± 0.02 vs. 2.5 ± 1.5, P &lt; 0.01, respectively). Conclusion ESWSecho, ESWSCT + echo and ESWSCT + Invasive decreased significantly after TAVR suggesting they reflect afterload, but independent of method, ESWS corrected LVEF increased slightly post-TAVR, indicating load dependency.

INTRODUCTION: The SPEC-AI Nigeria trial (NCT05438576) was designed to use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen for pregnancy-related cardiomyopathy in the peripartum period. Using data from this study, we evaluated the utility of AI-predicted delta age (adjusted AI-predicted age − chronological age) as a surrogate for biological age. METHODS: We included 1,187 pregnant and postpartum women enrolled between August 2022 and September 2023 with follow-up through May 2024. Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded at study entry to generate AI age predictions. Artificial intelligence-predicted age was adjusted using estimated reference ranges obtained from a community-dwelling cohort of 25,144 individuals with AI-ECG age estimated and documented chronological age. Logistic and Cox-proportional hazards regression were used to examine associations with comorbid cardiovascular conditions and maternal mortality, respectively. RESULTS: Adjusted AI-predicted age was significantly higher among women with any cardiovascular condition, peripartum cardiomyopathy, or who died within 18 months (7, 14, and 23 years older, respectively) compared to those without these conditions who had values similar to the normal reference ranges (adjusted AI-predicted age difference less than 1 year). Artificial intelligence-predicted delta age greater than the 75th percentile was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.06 for any cardiovascular condition, OR of 4.98 for left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and a hazard ratio of 32.81 for all-cause mortality; all values of P<.001. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Artificial intelligence-ECG-derived biological age appears to be a potentially useful measure of cardiovascular health status and risk among pregnant and postpartum women. However, its role in monitoring maternal health requires further exploration.