Citations

ABSTRACT Although ablation of the greater splanchnic nerve is now being used to treat some patients with heart failure, the anatomical relationships between this nerve and the adjacent posterior intercostal veins used for the procedure are not well elucidated. Therefore, the present anatomical study was performed. The anatomy and relationships of the right GSN and the azygos vein were investigated in 50 adult anatomical donors. In the supine position, the anterior wall of the thorax was removed, and the relationship between the azygos vein and its tributaries and the overlying GSN was observed and documented with quantitation of the distances between these structures. At the T7, T8, and T9 vertebral levels, the mean distance between the GSN and the azygos vein was 3.05, 2.35, and 1.62 cm, respectively. We found that the closest distance between the GSN and the azygos vein was at the T9 vertebral level, with a mean distance of 1.62 cm. Therefore, for the shortest distance between vein and GSN, this level should also be considered for ablation level. Such additional anatomical data can help improve patient outcomes and decrease the complication rates of this procedure.

Abstract Background The current treatment of glioblastoma involves resection followed by radiotherapy (RT) and temozolomide. Rapid early progression (REP) of tumor in the surgery-to-radiotherapy interval (SRI) has been described using categorical or semi-quantitative assessments and is associated with inferior clinical outcomes. This study seeks to establish and validate a quantitative definition for REP and examine how REP could inform future therapy. Methods Volumes of tumor and resection cavity at 3 time points—preoperative, postoperative and RT-planning (pre-RT)—were contoured among patients who had undergone standard of care. A minimal, but clinically appreciable, threshold for defining REP based on change in tumor volume was established, validated, and subsequently used to assess actionable predictors of REP and its prognostic value. Results An increase of >2 cc in volume or a new satellite tumor between the post-operative to planning MRI was found to be a sensitive, pragmatic, and statistically significant cutoff for REP (P = .002). Actionable predictors such as SRI of 6 weeks and a > 5 cc residual immediate post-operative tumor volume were found to be statistically significant predictors of REP. REP was also found to be a statistically significant prognostic indicator for overall survival (P = .002) and progression-free survival. Conclusion These findings support that an increase in tumor volume between post-operative and pre-RT MRI of >2 cc is the ideal working definition of REP in this clinical setting. Furthermore, REP could serve as a prognostic ­biomarker to track treatment response. Additionally, 2 actionable predictors of REP, post-op residual tumor volume and SRI, are identified.

Abstract Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heritable cardiac disorder characterized by increased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, often leading to heart failure (HF). The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in predicting new onset of HF symptoms in patients with HCM remains unknown. This study aimed to identify CMR predictors of new-onset HF symptoms in individuals with HCM. Methods This study was a single-centre retrospective cohort study of HCM patients treated at a tertiary referral centre in the USA who underwent CMR examination between 1998 and 2018, had no HF symptoms at baseline CMR, and at least 1 year of follow-up. Clinical data were collected by review of electronic medical records, and CMR images were analyzed by a blinded expert cardiac radiologis. The primary outcome was new onset of HF symptoms, defined as New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥ II at follow-up. Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed. Results Of 1462 patients diagnosed with HCM who had at least 1 CMR, 276 HCM patients without HF symptoms (average age 52.7 years, 33.3% female),median maximum left ventricular (LV) wall thickness was 19 mm ([IQR] 17–22) with a and median LV ejection fraction of 71% (IQR 66–77). Late gadolinium enhancement was detected in 56.2%) patients (60.7% had mild; 30.7% moderate; 8.6% severe). During a median follow-up period of 6.3 years, 93 patients developed HF symptoms (NYHA class II in 56 (60.2%); class III in 31 (33.3%); and class IV in 6 (6.5%). Multivariable analysis adjusted for age showed that LA enlargement (HR 1.626; 95% CI 1.01–2.62; P = .045) and LV mass index (HR 1.014; 95% CI 1.007–1.022; P≤ .001) and sex (HR 1.7; 95% CI 1.074–2.691; P = .023) were independent predictors of new onset of HF symptoms in patients with HCM. Conclusions Nearly half of the patients with HCM developed HF symptoms within 6.3 years. Left atrial enlargement, LV mass index, and sex were independent predictors of new onset of HF symptoms in HCM patients. These findings emphasize the value of CMR in HF risk stratification.

ABSTRACT The free fillet flap is a well‐established reconstructive option following external hemipelvectomy. However, mitigating prolonged warm ischemia during the extensive tumor resection poses a significant challenge to flap viability. Presented herein is a case illustrating the novel use of temporary intraoperative vascular shunting to overcome this limitation. During hemipelvectomy for a 17.7 × 16.9 × 19.3 cm osteosarcoma of the proximal left femur in a 74‐year‐old man, unplanned early ischemia of the lower extremity was addressed by placing carotid shunts between the external iliac and popliteal vessels. The technique maintained continuous perfusion to the future flap for 4 h during the concurrent pelvic resection and fillet flap harvest. Definitive microvascular anastomosis was performed subsequently and the 37 × 31 cm flap remained viable postoperatively for the 3 months of follow‐up. This case report reintroduces temporary shunting as a simple, effective, and readily available technique to preserve flap perfusion in complex microsurgical reconstructions, mirroring damage‐control principles from trauma surgery.

ABSTRACT Traumatic defects of the helical rim caused by human bites present significant reconstructive challenges because of tissue loss, infection risk, and the need to preserve auricular contour and symmetry. We report a 27‐year‐old man who presented with a middle‐third defect of the left helical rim following necrosis of an initially sutured avulsed flap caused by a human bite injury. After discussion of reconstructive options, including chondrocutaneous advancement and staged flap procedures, a single‐stage modified postauricular flap without skin grafting was selected to preserve ear size and minimize donor‐site morbidity. The flap was successfully inset with restoration of the helical contour, and postoperative follow‐up demonstrated stable healing, preserved auricular shape, and high patient satisfaction without complications. This case highlights that a single‐stage modified postauricular flap is a reliable and patient‐centered option for reconstruction of traumatic helical rim defects following human bite injuries.

Abstract Age‐related neuromuscular dysfunction is widely recognized; however, the extent to which aging is accompanied by motor neuron (MN) loss remains underexplored. This review evaluates evidence for MN loss with aging across species and anatomical motor pools. We synthesize PUBMED studies in humans, non‐human primates, rats and mice within the spinal cord and brainstem. Attention was given to the methodological approach used to quantify MNs and categorized based on what MNs were quantified (specific pools, vertebral levels, lateral motor columns). Methods were assessed qualitatively, based on stereological and non‐stereological density counting approaches, and the staining techniques identified as optimal or suboptimal by defined criteria. To facilitate cross‐study comparison we conducted quantitative assessments including: coefficients of variance, percentage differences between groups and standardized effect sizes calculated with Cohen's d . Across species and anatomical regions, the overall literature supports the presence of age‐related MN loss. Evidence is strongest in studies using robust counting approaches such as stereology, and appropriate MN markers. As age‐related MN degeneration is more heavily investigated and becomes a locus of intervention, future work must employ rigorous methodological standards to accurately determine the extent, regional specificity, and functional consequence of aging MN loss.

ABSTRACT Inpatient, acute care clinical pharmacists have contributed to many notable improvements in patient outcomes. Several studies have shown a reduction in mortality and other clinical markers when pharmacists are integrated within the care team. Economic analyses of inpatient clinical pharmacy services (CPS) generally demonstrate cost savings related to specific medication classes, prevention of adverse drug events, decreased length of stay, and decreased rehospitalization. Studies also show high satisfaction from other health care professionals, noting improvements in medication‐related patient safety. Finally, studies conducted in tertiary care hospital settings report high levels of patient satisfaction with CPS. As such, the ECHO framework, based on economic, clinical, and humanistic outcomes, is used herein to organize the summary of literature associated with CPS. Given the growing body of evidence, numerous health professional and government organizations recognize the role of pharmacists as an integral part of the inpatient team. Yet implementation of CPS has not been fully realized by hospitals and health systems. This paper briefly describes inpatient CPS, highlights many benefits of and endorsements for clinical pharmacist participation on interdisciplinary teams, and provides high‐level recommendations for health system administrators and the profession of pharmacy to further encourage broader integration of CPS into patient care teams. Effectively positioning inpatient clinical pharmacists as indispensable team members will require intentional work and strategic planning with a focus on high‐impact value, visibility, and leadership.

ABSTRACT Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are specialized sensors of the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium that regulate gut function and systemic metabolism through hormone secretion. The molecular pathways directing intestinal stem cell (ISC) differentiation into EECs are incompletely understood due, in part, to their rarity. We sought to identify novel regulators of human EEC differentiation using a high-throughput screen of FDA-approved drugs and human duodenal organoids. Two epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi) commonly used in cancer therapy and known to cause GI side effects, erlotinib and lapatinib, emerged as strong inducers of EEC differentiation, dramatically increasing chromogranin A (CHGA) expression compared to controls, while maintaining ISC function and organoid growth. EGFRi-treated organoids revealed robust and broad upregulation of EEC hormones, including serotonin (5HT), motilin (MLN), and somatostatin (SST), among others. In agreement with these findings, analysis of a patient cohort with lung cancer revealed an association with erlotinib use and increased circulating levels of the above EEC hormones compared to matched controls. Supporting a direct effect of EGFRi on EEC differentiation, mice treated with erlotinib demonstrated increased EEC numbers and hormones and showed EGFRi-associated diarrhea (EAD), a limiting side effect of these medications. Mechanistically, EGFRi induced upregulation of interferon (IFN) signaling targets during early ISC-to-EEC differentiation. Consistent with this, inhibition of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) attenuated EGFRi-induced EEC differentiation. These findings provide important insight into EEC differentiation that could inform treatment strategies for EAD, metabolic diseases, and GI diseases. Brief Summary Inhibition of EGFR signaling promotes human ISC-to-EEC differentiation through activation of STAT1 signaling.