Citations

Abstract Introduction The EROS (Erectile Restoration Outcomes and Satisfaction) registry provides prospective, questionnaire-based follow-up after IPP, established in 2020. Objective We sought to assess general trends in the open-ended responses portion of the questionnaire. Methods Data were collected from 2020 to 2025, with a total of 568 responses. The survey included six open-ended questions pertaining to lifestyle change since IPP, reasons not to repeat the procedure, impediments to use, dissatisfaction, what patients wish they had known more about the procedure, and other recommendations. Evaluable data included 6-month responses from Rochester, Jacksonville, and Phoenix. Results Open-ended feedback was given by 66% of patients on what they wished they had known, 54% gave other recommendations, 38% gave lifestyle feedback, 7% elaborated upon reasons not to use, 3% on reasons for dissatisfaction, and 2% on reasons they would not repeat IPP. There was an overall very positive response (“Significant Improvement”, n=74.3%) from those who underwent the IPP placement, with some patients reporting that it was far more convenient than other forms of treatment, and even increased spontaneity in their sexual lives, leading to improved relationships. Among the reported responses are increased confidence (n=39.4%), increased sexual activity (n=13.3%), and improved health and exercise levels (n=6.6%). When questioning patients about why they would not repeat the procedure and what their sources of dissatisfaction were, among those who responded to each question (n=12, n=16), the most frequently reported complaint was the exaggeration of pre-existing curves (n=41.7%, n=25.0%), particularly due to Peyronie’s disease. When questioned about what prevents use, the main responses were partner-related or due to personal problems (n=45.2%). The patients did not have many recommendations, but hoped for a better way to deflate and inflate the device (n=20.4%) and reported adequate pre-operative education and use of the pump. The table below outlines the categories of responses and the percentage of each keyword reported per question type. Conclusions In addition to standard pre-operative IPP counseling, providers should also focus on potential difficulties with device inflation/deflation, length loss (IPP not in the glans), pain/ recovery expectations, the potential for new or worsened curve (erect or flaccid), and potential changes in sensation. IPP satisfaction is high, as only 2% of patients gave responses on why they would not repeat the IPP, with many men expressing an increased level of overall confidence. Disclosure No

ABSTRACT Introduction Community health workers (CHWs) help patients navigate community resources. CHW programs can improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare utilization, but identifying eligible patients is challenging. We developed an electronic health record (EHR)‐based algorithm trained to predict referrals to a CHW program. Our objective was to evaluate whether an algorithm trained on historical referrals identifies a subgroup of patients that differs from the subgroup identified through questionnaire‐based health‐related social needs (HRSN) screening alone. Methods This analysis used data from Mayo Clinic primary care patients in Southeast Minnesota. We developed a gradient boosted time‐to‐event model that incorporated demographics, diagnoses, HRSN questionnaire responses, and HRSNs derived from clinical notes using natural language processing. We compared the characteristics of algorithm‐identified patients with those identified through questionnaires and assessed the variable importance of model features. Results The algorithm had AUC: 0.87 in the training and 0.92 in the hold out set. Patients flagged by the algorithm tended to use interpreter services more commonly (12.6% vs. 1.3%), have a non‐English preferred language (14.1% vs. 2.3%), and have more instances of health literacy documented (5.36 vs. 1.29) compared to patients identified by the HRSN questionnaire. Only 47.0% of patients flagged by the algorithm had responded to the HRSN questionnaire within 2 years. Variable importance was highest for health literacy and financial strain from unstructured notes. Conclusions The algorithm is a chart‐review prioritization tool for referral to the CHW program for patients that may overcome challenges to identifying patients with HRSNs, especially when questionnaire data is incomplete.

RELA-related disease is a rare, autosomal-dominant condition presenting with immune dysregulation and immunodeficiency. RELA encodes the p65 subunit, a component of the canonical NFκB pathway. The underlying pathogenesis, at least in part, involves impaired NFκB activation, increased susceptibility to TNFα-induced apoptosis, and hyperinflammation. To date, only a modest number of cases have been documented worldwide, and the full clinical and functional spectrum of disease remains incompletely defined. This study represents a large global cohort identified with RELA variants, comprising 40 patients from 30 institutions, expanding our previous report of a single large kindred (1). The clinical spectrum includes arthritis, mucocutaneous ulcers, uveitis, dermatitis, irritable bowel disease, recurrent infections, lymphopenia, hypogammaglobulinemia, recurrent fevers, and susceptibility to neoplasia. The patients represent 36 kindreds with 28 unique RELA variants, of which 15 are missense, 7 nonsense, and 6 frameshift variants. Fifteen are in the Rel homology domain, 7 in the transcriptional activation domain, and 6 in the C-terminal region proximal to TAD (Fig. 1). Functional studies assessed the canonical NFκB pathway in 27% of the cohort (n = 11; healthy controls = 40). Patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to quantify total and phosphorylated p65 (ph-p65, Ser529) by flow cytometry after stimulation with PMA (100 ng/ml) and ionomycin (1 uM). In 8 patients, we assessed the kinetics of IκBα degradation, required for p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65/p50. All patients tested had decreased total p65, while 64% had decreased ph-p65 with altered phosphorylation kinetics. Nearly 45% had impaired IκBα degradation. One patient (P4) demonstrated increased IκBα degradation and ph-p65, while a related proband (P1) had decreased ph-p65. Additionally, P4 did not have the same mucocutaneous clinical phenotype as P1 despite sharing the same RELA variant. This could reflect the effect of other genetic modifiers, epigenetic, environmental, or stochastic variations, which could lead to variable expressivity and/or incomplete penetrance. All patients appeared to have haploinsufficiency, as none had normal levels of p65. This study expands the clinical and genetic spectrum of RELA-related disease and provides mechanistic insights into the impact of these variants on p65 phosphorylation and downstream function, resulting in variable expressivity. Figure 1. RelA protein structure. Represents unique variant locations and categories, key domains, and phosphorylation sites. Source: UniProt. Adapted from (2). BioRender.

Abstract Purpose: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) confers a significant risk of colorectal/duodenal cancer. Encapsulated rapamycin (eRapa) has demonstrated promise as FAP chemoprevention in early clinical studies. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with FAP enrolled to three dosing regimens of eRapa (0.5 mg): cohort 1—every other day, cohort 2—daily every other week, or cohort 3—daily. The primary endpoints were safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and percentage change from baseline (PCFB) in colorectal polyp burden (CPB) at 6 months. Secondary endpoints included PCFB total (TPB) and duodenal (DPB) polyp burden and change in International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumors stage and Spigelman score at 6 and 12 months. Results: Twenty nine of thirty patients (97%) completed the 12-month study with predictable bioavailability. Low-grade adverse events were frequent but most pronounced in daily dosing. Two patients discontinued treatment related to toxicity. Cohort 1 had the largest decrease median PCFB CPB, DPB, and TPB at 6 months: −39.4 % (IQR, 108.9; P = 0.28), −33.33 % (IQR, 90; P = 0.04), and −38.6 % (IQR, 88.5; P = 0.26), respectively. At 12 months, cohort 2 had the largest decrease median PCFB CPB and TPB: −29.3 % (IQR, 67.6; P = 0.37) and −26.3 % (IQR, 49.5; P = 0.29), respectively. Intermittent dosing cohorts (1 and 2) reduced DPB at 6 months (P = 0.04) and improved TPB at 12 months (P = 0.05) compared with daily dosing. Conclusions: eRapa was safe, tolerable, and showed preliminary efficacy for FAP chemoprevention. The 0.5 mg daily every-other-week schedule will be evaluated in an upcoming phase III trial.

Context: Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced primarily in the testes in men and ovaries in women, playing crucial roles in androgenic, anabolic, and psychological functions, including muscle growth, bone formation, erythropoiesis, risk-taking, and aggression, making it important for athletes. Sports performance is linked closely to testosterone level, prompting athletes to explore legal and illegal ways to boost testosterone. This review examines testosterone physiology and legal strategies for optimizing testosterone levels in athletes, as well as their practical applications. Evidence Acquisition: Database search. Study Design: Narrative review. Level of Evidence: Level 5. Results: Maintaining healthy testosterone levels requires energy balance and optimal nutrition with adequate macronutrients and micronutrients, especially for athletes prone to dieting and food restriction. Testosterone boosters are marketed widely but lack strong evidence for efficacy and may pose risks. While some substances show promise, further research is needed. Sleep is critical as testosterone secretion is linked to the rapid eye movement phase, highlighting the need for proper sleep hygiene and addressing sleep disorders. Moderate-to-high intensity free-weight resistance exercises are most effective for increasing testosterone, while the effects of sexual activity remain unclear. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can lower testosterone levels and should be avoided. While cold-water immersion may decrease testosterone, sauna bathing appears to be neutral. Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation from modern electronic devices may harm the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, warranting limited use. Over-the-counter analgesics, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen, may decrease testosterone levels, suggesting cautious use. Seasonal changes in testosterone levels require further study. Testosterone-optimizing strategies excluding banned substances may aid in treating functional low testosterone or reducing harm in anabolic-androgenic steroid users. Conclusion: Educating athletes on safe and effective strategies to increase testosterone is crucial, with ongoing research needed to explore additional methods. Strength-of-Recommendation Taxonomy: B.

Abstract Introduction Penile plication is the gold standard operation for Peyronie’s disease with preserved erectile function but is associated with persistence of hourglass shaft deformity and palpable, permanent plication sutures that may be bothersome in some patients. A novel technique utilizing extratunical grafting overlying plication sutures in the tunica albuginea may improve patient discomfort, increase penile girth, and improve overall satisfaction. Objective We aim to analyze patient centered outcomes and satisfaction scores associated with this operation. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 13 patients who underwent Peyronie’s correction with penile plication with extratunical onlay grafting with biological Dura substitute graft performed by a single surgeon at a tertiary academic center. The graft was placed over 2-0 Ethibond Lue plication sutures in a circumferential fashion sparing the neurovascular bundle and secured with chromic suture. Primary endpoints of interest were patient satisfaction scores (1-10), presence of hourglass, palpability of sutures as well as associated discomfort, and sexual activity. Results Median follow up was 15.4 months. 100% of patient were sexually active at time of follow up. Mean patient reported post operative satisfaction was 8.9 out of 10. No patients endorsed palpability of plication sutures, coital discomfort at site of repair, or persistence of hourglass or concavity deformity. In patients who reported less than a 10 in satisfaction, areas of dissatisfaction include persistence of curvature, albeit decreased pre-operatively, as well as enhanced girth associated with dyspareunia of the receptive partner during intercourse in a single patient. Conclusions We present excellent post operative satisfaction and patient centered outcomes utilizing extratunical grafting overlying penile plication sutures in Peyronie’s disease repair. This novel technique may meaningfully improve patient satisfaction is patients with Peyronie’s disease undergoing plication alone. Disclosure No