Deficiency in circulating T cells in four core genotypes mice with Sry translocation.
McKernan KE, Cephus JY, Kuehnle SN, Henriquez-Pilier E, Dandy AC, Bacharier T, Polosukhin VV, Cahill KN, Silveyra P, Newcomb DC.
J Immunol. 2026 Aug 4;215(8):vkag207. doi: 10.1093/jimmun/vkag207.
PMID: 42595443 Free PMC article.
Abstract
Sex differences exist in the immune responses to infections and in the prevalence and severity of autoimmune and allergic diseases. These sex differences may be caused by sex hormones and/or variable inactivation of X chromosome genes. The 4 core genotypes mice allow for distinction between the effects of sex hormones and chromosomes on physiology and disease pathology. In the FCG mouse model, the Sry gene is deleted from the Y chromosome and inserted into chromosome 3 as multiple copies of a transgene, allowing for phenotypic male and female mice with XX and XY chromosomes. We sought to investigate the role of sex hormones and chromosomes in respiratory syncytial virus infection and allergen-induced airway inflammation. However, in performing these studies, we found that the immune response in FCG males (XXM and XYM) was significantly blunted. XXF and XYF had 4-fold more CD3+CD4+ T cells and over 7-fold more CD3+CD8+ T cells compared to XXM and XYM in the lungs following stimulus. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were also significantly decreased in XXM and XYM mice in the lungs, spleen, and peripheral blood at baseline with no effect on B cells, NK cells, or myeloid cells. Thymic T cell numbers were similar among groups, and bone marrow progenitors were unchanged between groups. Overall, the translocation of Sry to chromosome 3 resulted in dramatically decreased immune responses to RSV infection and allergen-challenge, indicating that FCG male mice do not mount appropriate immune responses to a respiratory virus infection.
Is rhBMP-2 Worth the Risk? A Data-Driven Look at Fusion Outcomes and rhBMP-2-Related Complication Burden in High-Risk Adult Spinal Deformity Patients.Okonkwo DD, Jain H, De Oliveira N, Kavarana S, Sarikonda A, Wilson BR, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Zuckerman SL.
Neurosurgery. 2026 Jul 21. doi: 10.1227/neu.0000000000004163. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 42479548
Abstract
Background and objectives: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) is widely used to enhance spinal fusion, yet its use remains controversial due to complication concerns. Evidence regarding its efficacy and safety, particularly in patients with biologically higher risk of pseudarthrosis, remains incomplete. Therefore, in patients undergoing adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, we sought to evaluate the association between rhBMP-2 use and outcomes, with dedicated analyses of high pseudarthrosis risk groups (obesity, diabetes, and osteoporosis/osteopenia).
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of adult patients undergoing ASD surgery involving ≥5-level instrumented fusion between 2009 and 2023, with at least 2 years of follow-up. Patients were stratified based on intraoperative rhBMP-2 use. Primary outcome was pseudarthrosis/rod fracture, as this relates directly to the fusion process. Secondary outcomes were BMP-associated adverse events including new-onset radiculitis, wound complications, and seroma. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression adjusted for relevant confounders.
Results: Among 288 patients undergoing ASD surgery (mean age: 62.5 ± 17.5 years; 74.0% women), 118 (41.0%) received rhBMP-2. In the entire study population, rhBMP-2 use independently reduced risk of pseudarthrosis/rod fracture (16.1% vs 38.2%, P < .001; odds ratio [OR] = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.02-0.78, P = .025). rhBMP-2 was not independently associated with radiculitis, wound complications, or seroma formation. In the osteoporotic/osteopenia subgroup, rhBMP-2 use was independently associated with reduced risk of pseudarthrosis/rod fracture (20.0% vs 56.3%, P < .001, OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07-0.69, P = .010). In the obesity subgroup, rhBMP-2 use was independently associated with reduced risk of mechanical complications (46.0% vs 66.1%, P = .037; OR 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04-0.80, P = .024). No significant positive effect of rhBMP-2 use was found in the diabetic subgroup.
Conclusion: In a cohort of patients undergoing ASD surgery, rhBMP-2 use was independently associated with fewer mechanical complications without an increase in BMP-related adverse events. rhBMP-2 demonstrated differential efficacy across high-risk populations, specifically benefiting patients with obesity and osteoporosis/osteopenia.
A Preventable Lung Loss? The Critical Importance of Technical Adherence During TA-NRP.
Petrovic M, Adjei E, Bacchetta M, Hoetzenecker K.
Am J Transplant. 2026 Aug 13:S1600-6135(26)02727-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajt.2026.08.007. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 42595123 No abstract available.
No abstract available
Keywords: Lung transplantation; Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion; donation after circulatory death.
Petrovic M, Eidson C, Wang CC, Navid W, Ahmad A, McGann K, Williams AM, Trahanas J, Bommareddi S, Absi T, Quintana E, Rali AS, Schlendorf KH, Bacchetta M, Shah AS, Lima B.
JHLT Open. 2026 Jul 16;14:100632. doi: 10.1016/j.jhlto.2026.100632. eCollection 2026 Nov.
PMID: 42569683 Free PMC article.
Abstract
Background: Cardiac power output index (CPOi) has emerged as a prognostic marker after heart transplantation (HT), yet its application to donation after circulatory death (DCD) hearts remains unstudied. We compared early hemodynamic trajectories in DBD versus DCD HT and evaluated CPOi adjusted for vasoactive-inotropic score (CPOiVIS) as a screening tool for postoperative morbidity and mortality.
Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study of adult heart transplants (2020-2025), excluding multiorgan transplants, congenital heart disease, and patients requiring VA-ECMO within 72 h. Hourly CPOi, VIS, CPOiVIS, right ventricular CPOi, and pulmonary artery pulsatility index were compared between groups. ROC analysis identified screening thresholds for a composite endpoint (ventilation >72 h, ICU >15 days, renal replacement therapy, or 90-day mortality). The effect of donor type on hemodynamics was assessed using multivariable regression.
Results: Among 500 patients (315 DBD, 185 DCD), hemodynamic trajectories did not differ across all metrics and timepoints. CPOiVIS was the strongest predictor of the composite endpoint (AUC 0.729-0.752 at T24-T72), outperforming CPOi alone. Optimal ROC thresholds demonstrated negative predictive values of 83-89%. After adjustment for recipient creatinine, hypertension, and ischemic time, donor type had no effect on any hemodynamic parameter. The composite endpoint occurred in 27.6% of DCD versus 23.2% of DBD recipients (p = 0.285).
Conclusions: Among HT recipients who did not require early mechanical circulatory support, early allograft function did not differ significantly between DBD and DCD recipients. CPOiVIS outperformed CPOi as a screening metric for morbidity and mortality, with thresholds applicable regardless of donor type.
Ahmad A, Wang CC, Petrovic M, Williams AM, Trahanas J, Bommareddi S, McGann K, Siddiqi H, Rali AS, Zalawadiya S, Bacchetta M, Lindenfeld J, Schlendorf K, Shah AS, Lima B.
ASAIO J. 2026 Jul 17. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000002786. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 42468002
Kumpfbeck AR, Woo Y, Petrovic M, Simon V, Cortelli M, Adjei E, Petree B, Simonds E, Adesanya T, Cagnolatti C, Shishido Y, Bapatla S, Stokes JW, Trachtman E, Skoog DJ, Cook KE, Demarest CT, Bacchetta M, Ukita R.
J Heart Lung Transplant. 2026 Aug;45(8):1241-1250. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2026.02.1682. Epub 2026 Apr 7.
PMID: 41949527 Free article.
Navid W, Wang CC, Ahmad A, Chawla E, Kayali Z, Eidson C, Petrovic M, Trahanas J, Bommareddi S, Williams AM, Quintana E, Absi T, Bacchetta M, Shah AS, Lima B.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2026 Aug 5:S0003-4975(26)00813-1. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2026.07.039. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 42556451 Free article.
Wang CC, Ahmad A, Petrovic M, McGann K, Williams A, Trahanas J, Bommareddi S, Absi T, Quintana E, Rali A, Schlendorf K, Bacchetta M, Shah A, Lima B.
JHLT Open. 2026 Jul 15;14:100630. doi: 10.1016/j.jhlto.2026.100630. eCollection 2026 Nov.
PMID: 42571408 Free PMC article.
Wang CC, Navid W, Eidson C, Ahmad A, Petrovic M, Kurella N, McGann K, Williams AM, Trahanas J, Bommareddi S, Absi T, Quintana E, Rali AS, Schlendorf K, Bacchetta M, Shah A, Lima B.
J Heart Lung Transplant. 2026 Jul 28:S1053-2498(26)02011-5. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2026.07.025. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 42521130 Free article.
Williams AM, Lima B, Benkert A, Ahmad A, Bommareddi S, Trahanas J, Wang CC, McGann KC, Petrovic M, Devries S, Lowman J, Casalinova S, Kesseli S, Goel D, Lobo A, Esmalian G, Devore A, Keenan J, Milano C, Schlendorf K, Bacchetta M, Shah AS, Schroder J.
Circ Heart Fail. 2026 Aug 5:e014240. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.126.014240. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 42554059
Williams AM, Wang CC, McGann KC, Trahanas J, Lima B, Ahmad A, Petrovic M, Absi T, Quintana E, England B, Schlendorf K, Bacchetta M, Shah AS, Bommareddi S.
Circulation. 2026 Jul 21;154(3):268-270. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.126.079750. Epub 2026 Jul 20.
PMID: 42475440 Free article. No abstract available.
Brun-Vergara ML, Mittal A, Witt A, Rafiei Alavi N, Miao KH.
Radiographics. 2026 Sep;46(9):e250231. doi: 10.1148/rg.250231.
PMID: 42594026 No abstract available.