Citations

Double aortic arches are rare congenital malformations resulting from persistence of the right and left aortic arches, as opposed to normal regression of the left aortic arch. These vascular malformations can cause vascular rings since they encompass the trachea and esophagus, and lead to swallowing difficulties or respiratory difficulties from extrinsic compression. Typically, these are diagnosed in childhood but rarely may present in adults. In the presence of symptoms, which require formal gastrointestinal and pulmonary evaluation, surgical resection of the nondominant arch is typically recommended to release the vascular ring. Monitoring of the carotid and subclavian vasculature is performed intraoperatively to ensure distal perfusion is not affected following distal ligation of the arch.

ABSTRACT Background Implementation of remote robotic‐assisted surgery (rRAS) has the potential to significantly improve access to high‐quality surgical care for patients worldwide. Advances in robotic systems and telecommunications now enable highly reliable, low latency, and cybersecure connectivity. These technological developments, together with the broader adoption of telemedicine, have driven an increasing interest in the implementation of rRAS. Methods The Clinical Robotic Surgery Association (CRSA) convened a conference to develop international clinical recommendations for rRAS using the Danish Model of Consensus. The society identified five key issue categories and invited a panel of experts to address specific questions for each. Panel members and a jury of 10 unbiased, non‐expert in rRAS professionals participated in a day‐long conference on November 19, 2025 (Los Angeles, USA). During the conference, participants presented, discussed, and reached consensus on specific guidelines relevant to each category. Immediately after the conference, the jury reviewed and approved the recommended guidelines. Results Multiple recommendations were approved for each of the following categories: Operating Models, Roles and Responsibilities (2 recommendations), Clinical Pathway (2 recommendations), Emergency Management (8 recommendations), Technical Considerations (5 recommendations), and Medico‐legal and Ethical Considerations (4 recommendations). Conclusions There was consensus that with recent advances in telecommunication and robotic technologies, rRAS can be offered safely and effectively if the identified safeguards are realized. Adoption of rRAS is expected to continue advancing rapidly.

ABSTRACT Approximately 30% of patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) develop steroid-refractory disease and have very poor outcomes. Ruxolitinib has become the standard of care for steroid-refractory acute GVHD, but it is unclear which patients derive benefit. The MAGIC Composite Score (MCS), an algorithm that combines clinical symptoms and biomarkers, has been validated to predict outcomes at the start of primary GVHD treatment. Here, we evaluated its performance at the initiation of second-line treatment in 278 patients. MCS stratified patients into three risk groups (MCS1-3), with the majority (88%) classified as intermediate or high risk. Increasing MCS score was associated with progressively higher 1-year non-relapse mortality (NRM) rates (16%, 41%, and 73%; p<0.001), lower 1-year survival (77%, 56%, and 24%; p<0.001), and lower complete response (CR) rates at day 28 (47%, 38%, and 20%, respectively; p<0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for 1-year NRM was significantly higher with MCS compared to clinical symptoms alone (0.70 vs. 0.63; p=0.023). Among patients treated with ruxolitinib, higher MCS similarly predicted higher NRM and lower survival and CR rates. Patients classified as MCS2/3 had poor outcomes despite ruxolitinib, underscoring the need for novel therapies in this patient population. In conclusion the MCS is an accurate predictor of outcomes for patients who require second-line treatment and may be of use as an eligibility criterion for future clinical trials in this high-risk population. Key Points MAGIC Composite Scores that integrate clinical symptoms and biomarker scores predict outcomes of second-line therapy for acute GVHD more accurately than clinical symptoms alone. MCS identifies patients with high NRM despite treatment with ruxolitinib.

Abstract Background The Movement Disorder Society (MDS) research criteria for possible prodromal multiple system atrophy (PP‐MSA) have not been prospectively validated. Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the PP‐MSA criteria in a longitudinal cohort of patients with pure autonomic failure (PAF) and to assess whether additional clinical features improve their predictive value. Methods Seventy‐six patients with PAF enrolled across eight centers in the Natural History Study of the Synucleinopathies were followed for ≥6 years or until phenoconversion. Participants were classified according to MDS PP‐MSA criteria and followed for development of MSA, Parkinson's disease, or dementia with Lewy bodies. Diagnostic performance was assessed longitudinally. Analyses were repeated using a stricter olfactory threshold (University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test [UPSIT]≤28) as an exclusion criterion. Results Thirty‐eight participants met PP‐MSA criteria, of whom 12 phenoconverted to MSA within 6 years. Sensitivity was 100% at year 1 and 92% at year 6, whereas specificity ranged from 56% to 67%. Positive predictive value (PPV) ranged from 21% to 34%. Applying a stricter olfactory threshold improved specificity (90%–97%) and PPV (53%–83%), with a modest reduction in sensitivity (to 83%). Participants who phenoconverted to MSA were younger, had more severe urinary dysfunction, and greater orthostatic heart rate responses. Conclusions The PP‐MSA criteria demonstrate high sensitivity but limited specificity in patients with PAF. A stricter olfactory threshold improves diagnostic performance and may enhance cohort enrichment for clinical trials. © 2026 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Introduction The nerve-derived growth factor neuregulin (NRG) plays a role in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass through Akt and mTOR signaling transduction pathways that regulate both protein synthesis and degradation. We previously reported that NRG increases muscle protein synthesis (~20%) in a PI3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt-dependent manner. However, the effects of NRG on protein degradation are still poorly understood and are needed to elucidate the role of NRG in the maintenance of skeletal muscle protein balance. Methods Neonatal diaphragm muscle ex vivo preparations were pharmacologically treated with NRG and pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002, 50 μM), MEK (PD98059, 50 μM) or mTOR (rapamycin, 100 nM). Tyrosine release from muscle was used as a surrogate measure of protein degradation. Results We report that basal protein degradation in the neonatal rat diaphragm muscle is significantly reduced by NRG treatment (19%). Basal protein degradation was increased following treatment with inhibitors of PI3K, MEK or mTOR, with inhibition of each pathway sufficient to increase basal protein degradation greater than 30%. Importantly, NRG treatment in the presence of each of these inhibitors blunts the increase in protein degradation induced by inhibition of PI3K, MEK or mTOR. NRG effects were significantly blunted by rapamycin (p &lt; 0.05 compared to NRG alone), but not by LY294002 or PD98059. Discussion We suggest that both the PI3K/Akt and MAP kinase pathways are important for NRG effects on protein degradation, but that mTOR may be a critical modulator of these effects and thus of protein balance in skeletal muscle.

Most patients with chest pain do not have acute myocardial infarction (AMI), yet post-AMI rule-out disposition remains variable. Detectable but sub-99th percentile high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) provides additional prognostic information. We evaluated the economic value of hs-cTnI-guided hospitalizations among non-AMI patients. We analyzed 1481 non-AMI chest pain visits with detectable baseline hs-cTnI across 29 U.S. emergency departments (2014–2016) in the prospective HIGH-US trial using the Atellica IM TnIH assay(Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY, US). We compared observed standard-of-care admissions with modeled pathways incorporating hs-cTnI thresholds and risk scores, assessing admission rates, costs, and diagnostic accuracy for 30-day death/MI. Overall, 1.0% (n = 15/1481) experienced 30-day death/MI. Standard-of-care admitted 59% of patients with 93% sensitivity and 41% specificity. The modeled pathway using hs-cTnI ≥ 5 ng/L plus non-low risk scores was associated with reduced projected admission of 41%, higher specificity of 60%, and the same 93% sensitivity. Estimated per-patient diagnostic costs were lower under Scenario 1 (noninvasive diagnostic testing only; $1025 vs. $1139) and under Scenario 2 (including inpatient/invasive procedures; $2672 vs. $3536). In subgroups, higher hs-cTnI thresholds conferred further economic benefit without compromising sensitivity. Incorporating sub-99th percentile hs-cTnI thresholds alongside risk scores may support more efficient resource use while maintaining safety, although findings require prospective validation.

Background and Objectives: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has one of the highest age-standardized diabetes prevalence rates globally, yet all-age, diabetes-specific evidence incorporating GBD 2023 estimates through 2023 remains limited. Materials and Methods: Using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 estimates for 21 MENA countries from 1990 to 2023, this ecological time-trend analysis quantified 33-year trends in incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs); compared pre-2019 and post-2019 trajectories using joinpoint regression; characterized age- and sex-specific burden patterns; and quantified contributions of modifiable risk factors. Results: Age-standardized incidence increased 92%, from 251.7 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 231.5 to 272.4) to 482.5 (95% UI: 451.5 to 516.4) per 100,000, and prevalence more than doubled, from 5564 (95% UI: 5088 to 6024) to 11,247 (95% UI: 10,382 to 12,132) per 100,000. In 2023, males exhibited higher DALY rates than females in most adult age groups from age 15 years onward, shifting away from the female-predominant pattern seen in 1990; female rates remained higher at several of the oldest age groups. Children aged 0 to 14 years were the only group with declining DALY rates (−52% to −57%). Post-2019 incidence was higher in 15 of 21 countries, and six countries had higher DALY trends with non-overlapping confidence intervals. Because we only have four to five years of data, these short trends are preliminary and require care when evaluating. High body-mass index was the leading modifiable risk factor. Conclusions: These data support country-specific prevention and chronic-care strategies across the MENA region.

Exposure of airway epithelia to environmental allergens or nanoparticles invokes a novel genome-protective physiological response to oxidative stress. Fragments of double-stranded genomic DNA released into the airway lumen originate from repetitive, transcriptionally active, and fragile sites within the genome. Exporting DNA with high repetitive content potentially aids cell survival through the preservation of genome integrity and fidelity during the repair process.