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Comparison of three bioaerosol samplers for bacterial diversity
No full textBioaerosols are critical components of the atmospheric environment, yet their accurate characterization remains challenging due to the lack of a standardized sampling methodology. In this study, we compared three commonly used bioaerosol samplers— a swirling collector, a condensational growth tube collector, and a cascade impactor—to evaluate their performance in capturing bacterial diversity, community composition, and number concentrations at two distinct locations on a university campus. The bacterial communities were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results revealed significant differences in the bioaerosol number concentrations and the composition of bacterial communities across the samplers. Among the three samplers, the condensational growth tube collector recorded the highest overall concentration, with a lower alpha diversity than the other sampler types. Analysis of the 678 identified unique genera indicated that only 24 % were collected by all three samplers, underscoring that no single device can comprehensively represent airborne bacterial diversity. However, all three samplers consistently identified distinct locational differences in key bacterial taxa, notably the increased abundance of agriculture-associated genera near the livestock-rearing facility. This indicates that each sampler was able to capture and reveal dominant genera under different environments. PERM-ANOVA results showed that the type of bioaerosol sampler was responsible for more variance in bacterial community composition than sampling location, highlighting the dominant role of sampler selection in shaping observed microbial profiles. Overall, the variability in performance of samplers may be influenced by factors such as particle size distribution, bacterial community composition, sampling mechanism, and sampling medium. These findings underscore the critical importance of selecting appropriate bioaerosol sampling instruments based on targeted microbial communities and specific environmental conditions; the findings also provide a framework for refining sampling methodologies to enhance the accuracy and comparability of bioaerosol studies.•The choice of bioaerosol sampler influences the observed bacterial community composition.•No single bioaerosol sampler comprehensively captures the entirety of airborne bacterial diversity.•All samplers consistently distinguished location-specific dominant bacterial taxa despite diversity variations.•Sampler collection efficiency depends on dominant genera and particle size distribution
Characterizing amyloid and tau positron emission tomography-based stages across the clinical continuum
No full textWe standardized positron emission tomography (PET) data across multiple cohorts and tracers to characterize the frequency of amyloid and tau PET severity along the clinical continuum.
Clinical stage was defined using cohort-specific criteria and included cognitively unimpaired (CU), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Amyloid severity was staged using Centiloids (CL). Tau severity was staged using a hierarchical Braak-based schema. The cumulative probabilities of PET-based stages were estimated using ordinal logistic regressions.
Among 10,396 individuals (mean [standard deviation] age: 71.9 [7.1] years), amyloid levels ≥ 25 CL increased with age among CU and MCI, while amyloid levels ≥ 100 CL were most common in dementia. In 3295 with tau PET, tau severity increased with amyloid and clinical stage and showed complex associations with age. Within each clinical stage, the full spectrum of amyloid and tau PET severity was observed.
PET-based staging revealed heterogeneous amyloid and tau burden along the clinical continuum.
PET-based staging is feasible across multiple cohorts and PET tracers. There is heterogeneity in amyloid and tau severity across the clinical spectrum. The frequency of amyloid and tau PET severity increased with clinical severity. The likelihood of tau PET severity differed by age, amyloid, and clinical severity
Abstract DP342: Rescue versus First-Line Intracranial Stenting during Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Propensity-Weighted Analysis of the RESISTANT Registry
No full textIntroduction: Rescue stenting (RS) is a recognized bailout strategy following failed endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). First-line stenting (FLS) has emerged as a potential alternative to avoid vascular injury and improve outcomes. However, direct comparisons between these strategies remain limited.
Methods: We conducted a comparative analysis of FLS and RS using data from the RESISTANT registry, an international, multicenter, retrospective cohort of AIS patients who received intracranial stenting during EVT from 2016 to 2023. Patients were categorized by stenting strategy: FLS (stent placed without prior thrombectomy) or RS (stent placed after failed thrombectomy). The primary effectiveness outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-2) at 90 days. The primary safety outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to adjust for baseline differences.
Results: Among 827 patients, 723 were in the RS cohort and 104 in the FLS cohort. Compared to RS, FLS patients more often had diabetes (46.2% vs. 35.2%, p=0.03), prior stroke (46.2% vs. 25.3%, p<0.001), prior antiplatelet use (50.0% vs. 27.7%, p<0.001), and known ICAS (28.8% vs. 6.0%, p<0.001). They also had lower baseline NIHSS scores at presentation (median 8 vs. 14, p<0.001) and shorter onset-to-recanalization times (median 363 vs. 392 min, p=0.006). After IPTW adjustment, functional independence was similar between groups (OR=0.64; 95% CI 0.38-1.07), as was the risk of sICH (OR=0.93; 95% CI 0.34-2.59). No significant differences were observed in secondary outcomes including successful reperfusion, mortality, or procedural complications. Outcomes were similar in both the anterior circulation subgrou (n=589; functional independence: OR=0.62; 95% CI 0.60-1.25; sICH: OR=0.81; 95% CI 0.30-2.18) and the posterior circulation subgroup (n=234; functional independence: OR=0.82; 95% CI 0.32-2.10; sICH: OR=0.81; 95% CI 0.30-2.18).
Conclusion: FLS and RS strategies during EVT for AIS demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy. Prospective, randomized trials are needed to better define optimal treatment approaches
Abstract WP223: Race-ethnic Differences in the Impact of Antithrombotic Use on Inpatient Mortality Among Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients in the Florida Stroke Registry (2013-2024)
No full textBackground: The use of anticoagulants and antiplatelets in patients at risk for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is growing. Still, the extent to which their associated mortality risk varies by race-ethnicity remains poorly understood. The objective is to examine the association between race-ethnicity and type of antithrombotic use on inpatient mortality among ICH patients in the Florida Stroke Registry (FSR).
Methods: We analyzed 32,036 ICH patients in the FSR (2013-2024). Antithrombotic exposure was categorized as anticoagulant-associated ICH (AA ICH), antiplatelet-only ICH (AP ICH), or non-antithrombotic ICH (NA ICH). Multivariable logistic regression models with hospital-level random effects examined the interaction between race-ethnicity and antithrombotic type on inpatient mortality, adjusted for demographics, clinical severity, and comorbidities.
Results: Mean age was 69 years, and 54% were male, 60% were Non-Hispanic (NH) White, 18% NH Black, 16% Hispanic, and 6% Other. AA ICH occurred in 17%, AP ICH in 25%, and NA ICH in 58%. Overall, inpatient mortality was 16% with an unadjusted downward trend observed across all three groups from 2013 to 2024. Throughout the years, inpatient mortality occurred in 20%, 16%, and 16% of AA, AP, and NA ICH, respectively. AA ICH carried the highest adjusted inpatient mortality versus NA ICH among NH Black patients (AOR= 2.01; 95% CI 1.51-2.69). Inpatient mortality for AP ICHs versus NA ICH was also significantly highest among NH Black patients (AOR=1.37; 95% 1.11-1.68). Significant race-antithrombotic interactions were observed across crude and adjusted models (p-interaction <0.0001), with ROC values improving from 0.63 to 0.76 after adjustment.
Conclusion: The effect of antithrombotic use on the inpatient mortality of ICH patients in Florida between 2013 and 2024 was not uniform for the race/ethnicity groups. These findings underscore the need for further research to elucidate the underlying biological, socioeconomic, and healthcare system factors contributing to these differences, ultimately aiming to improve outcomes for all ICH patients
Rescue versus First-Line Intracranial Stenting during Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Propensity-Weighted Analysis of the RESISTANT Registry
No full textWhile rescue stenting (RS) is a recognized bailout strategy following failed endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO), first-line stenting (FLS) has emerged as a potential alternative to avoid vascular injury and improve outcomes. However, direct comparisons between these strategies remain limited. We conducted a comparative analysis of FLS versus RS using data from a large, multicenter international registry to evaluate their relative safety and effectiveness.
We conducted a comparative analysis of FLS versus RS using data from the RESISTANT registry, a multicenter, international, retrospective cohort of AIS patients treated with intracranial stenting during EVT (2016-2023). Patients were categorized by stenting strategy: FLS (stent placed without prior thrombectomy) or RS (stent placed after failed thrombectomy). The primary effectiveness outcome was functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-2) at 90 days; the primary safety outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to adjust for baseline differences.
Among 827 patients, 723 were in the RS cohort (median age 67 years [IQR 59-77], 64.2% male) and 104 in the FLS cohort (median age 65.5 years [IQR 58.8-77], 72.1% male). Using FLS as the reference strategy, IPTW=adjusted analyses did not detect significant differences in functional independence (OR=0.64; 95% CI 0.38-1.07) or sICH (OR=0.93; 95% CI 0.34-2.59). No significant differences were observed in secondary outcomes including successful reperfusion, mortality, or procedural complications. In the anterior circulation cohort (n=589), outcomes were likewise comparable (functional independence: OR=0.62; 95% CI 0.60-1.25; sICH: OR=0.81; 95% CI 0.30-2.18). Similarly, in the posterior circulation cohort (n=234), no significant differences were found (functional independence: OR=0.82; 95% CI 0.32-2.10; sICH: OR=0.81; 95% CI 0.30-2.18).
In this study, no significant differences in safety or effectiveness were detected between FLS and RS strategies during EVT for AIS. Prospective, randomized trials are needed to better define optimal treatment approaches
The Influence of Visual Feedback on Neuromuscular Performance During Resistance Training in Healthy Older Adults
No full textCalaway, C, Elkins, E, Gastaldo, R, Sarama, J, Sands, R, Lamorta, R, Conn, M, and Signorile, JF. The influence of visual feedback on neuromuscular performance during resistance training in healthy older adults. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-Visual feedback (VF) has shown to significantly improve strength, movement speed, and levels of motivation in athletic populations. To our knowledge, no study has examined the impact of graphical power feedback on lower- and upper-limb neuromuscular performance in healthy older adults. To determine the impact of live VF compared with that of no feedback (NoVF) on leg-press (LP) and chest-press (CP) peak power (PP) and average power (AP) using HUR (HUR Inc, Park Ridge, IL) pneumatic resistance training machines, 28 older adults (73.1 ± 6.7 years) completed 2 training sessions per week for 2 weeks separated by at least 48 hours of rest. In session 1, subjects were provided VF on the HUR tablets. During session 2, subjects were not provided with VF. Both groups completed 3 × 8 repetitions on each machine separated by 1-minute rests. Separate 2 × 2 × 3 (condition × week × set) repeated measures ANOVAs revealed condition, week, and set effects for LP-PP (p < 0.05) showing greater power with VF (MDiff ± SE = 23.8 ± 6.8 W, +4%) and across weeks and sets. For CP-PP, a condition effect was seen (p < 0.05), indicating greater VF performance (20.9 ± 9.7 W, +5%). Leg-press-average power and chest-press-average power both showed significance for all main effects (p < 0.05), showing greater performance with VF (25.6-25.8 W, +4-5%) and across weeks and sets; however, power only increased from sets 1-3 for CP-AP. Graphical VF is a viable tool for optimizing neuromuscular performance in older adults. Furthermore, greater power outputs in the subsequent LP sets for both PP and AP suggest a level of neuromuscular facilitation in the lower limbs, which warrants sufficient warm-up to maximize power during training.ABSTRACTCalaway, C, Elkins, E, Gastaldo, R, Sarama, J, Sands, R, Lamorta, R, Conn, M, and Signorile, JF. The influence of visual feedback on neuromuscular performance during resistance training in healthy older adults. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-Visual feedback (VF) has shown to significantly improve strength, movement speed, and levels of motivation in athletic populations. To our knowledge, no study has examined the impact of graphical power feedback on lower- and upper-limb neuromuscular performance in healthy older adults. To determine the impact of live VF compared with that of no feedback (NoVF) on leg-press (LP) and chest-press (CP) peak power (PP) and average power (AP) using HUR (HUR Inc, Park Ridge, IL) pneumatic resistance training machines, 28 older adults (73.1 ± 6.7 years) completed 2 training sessions per week for 2 weeks separated by at least 48 hours of rest. In session 1, subjects were provided VF on the HUR tablets. During session 2, subjects were not provided with VF. Both groups completed 3 × 8 repetitions on each machine separated by 1-minute rests. Separate 2 × 2 × 3 (condition × week × set) repeated measures ANOVAs revealed condition, week, and set effects for LP-PP (p < 0.05) showing greater power with VF (MDiff ± SE = 23.8 ± 6.8 W, +4%) and across weeks and sets. For CP-PP, a condition effect was seen (p < 0.05), indicating greater VF performance (20.9 ± 9.7 W, +5%). Leg-press-average power and chest-press-average power both showed significance for all main effects (p < 0.05), showing greater performance with VF (25.6-25.8 W, +4-5%) and across weeks and sets; however, power only increased from sets 1-3 for CP-AP. Graphical VF is a viable tool for optimizing neuromuscular performance in older adults. Furthermore, greater power outputs in the subsequent LP sets for both PP and AP suggest a level of neuromuscular facilitation in the lower limbs, which warrants sufficient warm-up to maximize power during training
A Prospective 12-week Randomized Controlled Trial of Remotely-Delivered Customized Adherence Enhancement for Poorly Adherent Individuals with Schizophrenia vs Enhanced Treatment as Usual
No full textThis prospective 12-week randomized controlled trial tested an adherence promotion approach called Customized Adherence Enhancement in schizophrenia (CAE-S) vs. Enhanced Treatment as Usual (eTAU) in 36 poorly adherent individuals.
Patients were randomized to either CAE-S or eTAU at baseline and were assessed at 12-week follow-up. Primary outcomes were program attendance, patient satisfaction and change in schizophrenia symptoms as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Additional evaluations were adherence measured by the Tablets Routine Questionnaire (TRQ), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and Strauss-Carpenter Level of Functioning Scale (SCLFS).
Mean age was 44.9 (Standard deviation/SD 12) years. 12-week attrition was 19.4%. At screening, mean past 7-day TRQ (proportion of days with missed dose) was 29.7% (SD 23.8) for CAE and 41.7% (SD 26.5) for eTAU. By baseline, mean TRQ improved to 11.3% (SD 15.8) in CAE-S, and to 19.3% (SD 25.7) in eTAU. Mean session attendance (out of a maximum of 6) was 4.89 (SD 1.9) for CAE and 3.88 (SD 2.5) for ETAU. CAE and ETAU satisfaction were both high. From baseline to 12 weeks, mean PANSS improved significantly in both CAE-S (p < .05) and eTAU (p < .01) with no difference between arms. There was no significant change in TRQ, while CGI and GAF improved significantly in both arms with no significant difference between arms. Mean SCLFS improved in both arms, with results favoring CAE (p < .001).
Telehealth CAE-S is feasible and acceptable among poorly adherent patients with schizophrenia. Adherence improved rapidly with monitoring, which could explain improvement in schizophrenia symptoms and largely similar outcomes across intervention arms
Equipping surgeons with strategies to address workplace bias: evaluation of a cultural humility curriculum
No full textPurpose
Bias and discrimination are prevalent in surgical training and practice, affecting the learning environment and patient outcomes. While many surgical training programs have recognized that awareness of cultural issues and discrimination are important, most lack structured approaches to address them. This study’s aim was to evaluate the impact of a cultural humility curriculum on self-reported strategies for addressing bias among surgeons and learners.
Methods
In 2021 a needs assessment was performed to assess surgical program culture. In response, we developed a cultural humility curriculum which consisted of hour-long sessions presented at surgical grand rounds conference. An evaluation survey was distributed in May 2024 eliciting demographics, number of sessions attended, feedback on relevance of the curriculum, and whether participants felt equipped with strategies for addressing discrimination. Chi-square tests determined association between number of sessions attended and question responses.
Results
Of 51 who responded to the evaluation, the majority were male (61%) and white (65%). 41% were medical students, 20% residents, and 33% attending physicians. 71% said the curriculum provided them strategies for addressing issues of discrimination and 44% said they had used the strategies. Those who attended > 10 sessions used strategies more often (69%) than those who attended 6–10 sessions (62%) and 1–5 sessions (11%),
p
= 0.011. Among medical students (n = 19), 48% said the curriculum positively influenced their perception of the field and 29% said it positively influenced their desire to pursue a surgical specialty. Among sexual minority students (bisexual or gay students, n = 3), 100% said they were more likely to pursue a surgical specialty after participating in the curriculum.
Conclusions
A cultural humility curriculum at our institution provided learners and surgeons with strategies to address discrimination in the workplace and positively influenced medical student perceptions of the surgical field
Obrixtamig (BI 764532) in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3)-high expressing extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma (epNEC): Dose expansion part of the phase II DAREON-5 trial
No full textTPS648 Background: Pts with relapsed/refractory epNEC have poor outcomes with currently available therapies. DLL3 is expressed on the surface of many epNEC cells, offering a promising therapeutic target. Obrixtamig (BI 764532) is a DLL3/CD3 IgG-like T-cell engager that binds simultaneously to CD3 on T-cells and DLL3 on tumor cells, resulting in immune-mediated tumor cell lysis. In an ongoing first-in-human Phase I trial (NCT04429087), obrixtamig monotherapy had promising efficacy in pts with DLL3+ SCLC, epNEC or large-cell NEC of the lung (LCNEC-L) and a manageable toxicity profile, justifying further clinical investigation. The Phase II DAREON-5 trial (NCT05882058) is a dose selection and expansion trial of obrixtamig monotherapy in pts with histologically confirmed relapsed/refractory SCLC, epNEC or LCNEC-L after prior standard of care. The completed dose selection part evaluated the safety and efficacy of two obrixtamig doses. We describe the design of the expansion part of the study that is currently enrolling. Methods: The expansion part of DAREON-5 is assessing obrixtamig antitumor activity at the selected dose for expansion in pts with centrally assessed DLL3-high expressing epNEC; defined as ≥50% of evaluable tumor cells with moderate to strong membrane and/or cytoplasmic DLL3 staining using the VENTANA DLL3 (SP347) assay. Eligible pts have relapsed/refractory, advanced/metastatic, histologically confirmed epNEC after prior platinum-based chemotherapy (≥1 lines of therapy). Pts will receive IV obrixtamig infusions as step-up doses followed by the target dose. Primary endpoint is objective response per RECIST v1.1, assessed by blinded independent central review. Secondary endpoints include duration of objective response, PFS, disease control, overall survival, treatment-emergent AEs, and patient-reported outcomes. The planned enrollment for the expansion cohort is ~50 pts recruited from the following countries: Belgium, China, Germany, Japan, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, UK and USA. Previously presented at ESMO, FPN (Final publication Number): 1731TiP, Pavel et al. Reused with permission. Clinical trial information: NCT05882058