Donor Time to Death and DCD Liver Transplant Outcomes: Challenging the Dogma That Shorter Is Better
Transplant Direct. 2026 Feb 11;12(3):e1911. doi: 10.1097/TXD.0000000000001911. eCollection 2026 Mar.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In circulatory death transplantation, time to death (TTD) following withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment is unpredictable. Concerns persist that prolonged TTD may cause ischemic injury, resulting in organ nonuse. We assessed the impact of donor TTD on liver transplant outcomes and utilization.
METHODS: We used Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data on adult donors after circulatory death transplants (2010-2025). Multivariable nonlinear (restricted cubic splines) regression models were used to analyze associations. Simulation studies estimated potential increases in liver acceptance rates.
RESULTS: In 8489 recipients, short donor TTD was associated with inferior outcome, contrary to popular belief. Prolonged TTD did not show inferior posttransplant outcomes, irrespective of whether normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) was used. Nonlinear modeling (n = 37 447) revealed a sharp decline in utilization once TTD exceeded just 15 min. Given prolonged TTD did not impact outcomes, these declines represent a missed opportunity for organ use. Simulation studies revealed that if surgeons assess organ offers from patients with TTD of 15-30 min identically to those with TTD <10 min, there would have been a 17.1% (95% confidence interval, 15.0%-19.3%) relative increase in utilization, with potentially better outcomes than current practice. In the setting of NRP, short TTD was associated with increased organ nonuse, potentially because of failed viability criteria in damaged livers.
CONCLUSIONS: Short TTD was associated with inferior posttransplant outcome, challenging the dogma that shorter is better. Prolonged TTD did not negatively impact posttransplant outcomes, irrespective of NRP use. These findings support expanded use of liver donors with prolonged TTD, especially in the era of NRP and advanced perfusion, where viability assessment provides an additional safeguard.
PMID:41694480 | PMC:PMC12900224 | DOI:10.1097/TXD.0000000000001911
Financial burden of noncommunicable diseases on households in Bangladesh: a quasi-experimental analysis using national survey data
Health Econ Rev. 2026 Feb 14. doi: 10.1186/s13561-026-00740-0. Online ahead of print.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:41689697 | DOI:10.1186/s13561-026-00740-0
The emergence of Clade IIb and Ib mpox viruses: a state-of-the-art review
Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2025 Dec 11;88(2):1495-1510. doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000004534. eCollection 2026 Feb.
ABSTRACT
Mpox, a zoonotic Orthopoxvirus infection, was historically endemic to West and Central Africa. In 2022, it sparked a significant global outbreak, raising concerns about its spread beyond traditional regions. Notably, the emergence of Clade IIb and Ib strains has alarmed the global health community due to their increased transmission among humans. This paper examines mpox viruses and their general characteristics, their evolution, and the emergence of novel clades with unique features. Clade IIb stands out for its unique genetic mutations, which may enhance its transmissibility. Clinically, infections often present with fewer anogenital lesions and milder symptoms, which can complicate diagnosis. PCR testing remains the most reliable diagnostic tool, although emerging point-of-care tests show promise. Treatments such as tecovirimat and immune-based therapies (e.g., VIGIV) have demonstrated success, despite limitations. The MVA vaccine provides partial protection, although its efficacy against Clade IIb requires further validation. The emergence of Clades IIb and Ib, with distinct transmission dynamics, especially among specific population groups, underscores the need for targeted public health responses. This review highlights critical surveillance challenges in endemic African regions, where underreporting and limited diagnostic infrastructure hinder early detection. By analyzing the evolution and spread of newer clades, this review provides unique insights into mpox's shifting epidemiology and outlines implications for global preparedness, including the urgent need for strengthened surveillance systems, equitable access to vaccines, and coordinated international efforts focusing on research and preparedness to help mitigate future risks.
PMID:41675719 | PMC:PMC12889405 | DOI:10.1097/MS9.0000000000004534
Exploratory association of muscle and adipose tissue indices with clinical outcomes in aggressive lymphomas
Cancer. 2026 Feb 15;132(4):e70313. doi: 10.1002/cncr.70313.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Muscle and adipose tissue quantified on computed tomography (CT) are associated with overall survival (OS), toxicity, and quality of life (QOL) in solid tumor malignancies. This study sought to evaluate the association of body composition with outcomes in older adult aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (aNHL).
METHODS: The authors conducted a longitudinal study of 105 adults ≥65 years old with aNHL receiving chemoimmunotherapy. They performed body composition analysis on pretreatment CTs (third lumbar vertebral level using validated, fully automated pipeline and manual quality control). They derived skeletal muscle (SMI), subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue indices (SATI and VATI) and calculated corresponding age-adjusted and sex-adjusted z scores. They conducted univariate and multivariable (controlling for International Prognostic Index) regression models evaluating the association of body composition with OS, grade 3+ nonhematologic toxicity (tox), unplanned hospitalization (UH), and QOL (FACT-Lym) decline (QOLD).
RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients had imaging available for analysis. In univariate analyses, higher SATI z score had numerically higher odds of tox (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; p < .01) and UH (OR, 1.67; p = .01), and numerically more QOLD (OR, 1.58; p = .06). No association was observed for VATI z score. Higher SMI z score had numerically better OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.47; p = .04) and numerically lower odds of QOLD (OR, 0.52; p = .07). In multivariable analyses, higher SMI z score (HR, 0.50; p = .05) had numerically better OS, whereas higher SATI z score (OR, 1.89; p < .01) had numerically higher odds of tox.
CONCLUSION: In this exploratory analysis of older patients with aNHL, body composition on baseline CT was associated with OS and tox, underscoring imaging's potential for risk stratification.
PMID:41669999 | DOI:10.1002/cncr.70313
Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome Presenting as Painful Unilateral Ophthalmoplegia in a 65-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report
Clin Case Rep. 2026 Feb 8;14(2):e72012. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.72012. eCollection 2026 Feb.
ABSTRACT
A 65-year-old woman presented to a tertiary care center with a classical clinical scenario-3 months of persistent, right-sided frontal headache. Over the course of 20 days, a right-sided frontal headache developed into ptosis of the right upper eyelid. The headache was associated with throbbing pain in front of her skull along with periocular pain but without any systemic or neurological red flags. She had longstanding total blindness in the right eye which was diagnosed by complete absence of Perception of Light (PL). On examination, she was awake and afebrile, with unilateral right-sided ptosis and periocular tenderness. Diagnostic workup, including complete blood count, revealed no significant abnormalities, but MRI characterized by non-specific white matter hyperintensities with post-contrast enhancement of the cavernous sinus, indicative of THS. The patient showed a dramatic response to methylprednisolone, with significant ptosis improvement within 48 h, suggesting an underlying inflammatory etiology. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis by clinical features, radiological evidence & utility of steroid trials in atypical neuro-ophthalmological presentations with inflammatory markers.
PMID:41669703 | PMC:PMC12883550 | DOI:10.1002/ccr3.72012
The TRIP12's intrinsically disordered region induces chromatin condensates and interferes with nuclear processes
iScience. 2026 Jan 2;29(2):114592. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.114592. eCollection 2026 Feb 20.
ABSTRACT
Chromatin compaction is crucial for faithful expression and genome integrity. It implies numerous proteins and complex molecular mechanisms. The TRIP12 E3 ubiquitin ligase is tightly associated to chromatin and overexpressed in several types of cancers. We explored herein the consequences of TRIP12 overexpression on chromatin homeostasis. We demonstrated that TRIP12 overexpression leads, in a dose-dependent manner, to the formation of chromatin condensates enriched in heterochromatin marks. We delineated, within the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region of TRIP12, the region required for condensate formation that involves electrostatic interactions. We further discovered that the formation of chromatin condensates is dynamic and is in favor of a mechanism of bridging-induced phase separation. Finally, we found that the formation of TRIP12-mediated condensates alters cell cycle progression, genome accessibility, and transcription. Altogether, this study reveals a novel dynamic role for TRIP12 in chromatin compaction independently of its ubiquitin ligase activity with important consequences on nuclear processes.
PMID:41660270 | PMC:PMC12876695 | DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2025.114592
Harnessing glucocorticoid receptor antagonism to enhance the efficacy of cardiac regenerative growth factors and cytokines
Nat Cardiovasc Res. 2026 Feb 6. doi: 10.1038/s44161-026-00776-9. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Myocardial injuries lead to cardiomyocyte loss and heart failure. Endogenous glucocorticoids, via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), limit cardiomyocyte regeneration. Here we show that glucocorticoids suppress mammalian (murine) cardiomyocyte proliferative response to regenerative growth factors and cytokines. GR activation in neonatal cardiomyocytes upregulated MAPK-ERK inhibitors ERRFI1 and DUSP1. Using neuregulin 1 as a model, we demonstrated that glucocorticoids inhibit growth-factor-induced ERK activation, nuclear translocation and transcriptional output. Errfi1 and Dusp1 knockdown restored growth-factor-induced proliferation of glucocorticoid-exposed cardiomyocytes. Cardiac expression of DUSP1 and ERRFI1 increased postnatally, coinciding with regenerative capacity decline. In juvenile and adult cardiomyocytes, regenerative growth factors failed to induce the MAPK-ERK pathway and proliferation; however, DUSP1 inhibition restored these responses. GR antagonism enhanced growth-factor-induced cardiomyocyte protection, proliferation and cardiac function after adult myocardial injury. These findings reveal the emergence of a postnatal systemic brake on cardiomyocyte proliferative response to growth factors and support GR inhibition as a strategy to enhance growth-factor-based regenerative therapies.
PMID:41652035 | DOI:10.1038/s44161-026-00776-9
Harnessing glucocorticoid receptor antagonism to enhance the efficacy of cardiac regenerative growth factors and cytokines
Nat Cardiovasc Res. 2026 Feb 6. doi: 10.1038/s44161-026-00776-9. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Myocardial injuries lead to cardiomyocyte loss and heart failure. Endogenous glucocorticoids, via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), limit cardiomyocyte regeneration. Here we show that glucocorticoids suppress mammalian (murine) cardiomyocyte proliferative response to regenerative growth factors and cytokines. GR activation in neonatal cardiomyocytes upregulated MAPK-ERK inhibitors ERRFI1 and DUSP1. Using neuregulin 1 as a model, we demonstrated that glucocorticoids inhibit growth-factor-induced ERK activation, nuclear translocation and transcriptional output. Errfi1 and Dusp1 knockdown restored growth-factor-induced proliferation of glucocorticoid-exposed cardiomyocytes. Cardiac expression of DUSP1 and ERRFI1 increased postnatally, coinciding with regenerative capacity decline. In juvenile and adult cardiomyocytes, regenerative growth factors failed to induce the MAPK-ERK pathway and proliferation; however, DUSP1 inhibition restored these responses. GR antagonism enhanced growth-factor-induced cardiomyocyte protection, proliferation and cardiac function after adult myocardial injury. These findings reveal the emergence of a postnatal systemic brake on cardiomyocyte proliferative response to growth factors and support GR inhibition as a strategy to enhance growth-factor-based regenerative therapies.
PMID:41652035 | DOI:10.1038/s44161-026-00776-9
Circulating Tumor DNA in Breast Cancer: Diagnostic Insights From a Case Series
Cureus. 2026 Jan 5;18(1):e100833. doi: 10.7759/cureus.100833. eCollection 2026 Jan.
ABSTRACT
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), the tumor-derived fraction of cell-free DNA, has emerged as a valuable biomarker for monitoring treatment response, detecting minimal residual disease (MRD), and identifying early cancer recurrence. While histologic tissue diagnosis remains the gold standard for confirming malignancy, guidelines from organizations such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) acknowledge that ctDNA may serve as a supplemental tool in rare instances where tissue is unobtainable. In such cases, results should be interpreted alongside clinical and radiologic findings, with tissue confirmation pursued whenever possible. This case series presents three distinct breast cancer cases in which ctDNA-based MRD detection was instrumental in identifying recurrence and guiding precision therapy based on actionable genomic alterations when biopsy was not feasible or inconclusive.
PMID:41646612 | PMC:PMC12871081 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.100833
Prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among children under the age of 5 years: a cross-sectional study in riverbank erosion areas of Bangladesh
BMJ Open. 2026 Feb 5;16(2):e103984. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-103984.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify the associated factors of undernutrition among children under 5 years of age living in riverbank erosion areas in Bangladesh.
STUDY DESIGN: A community-based cross-sectional study.
SETTING: The study was carried out in riverbank erosion-prone areas of the Tangail and Kushtia districts of Bangladesh, which were selected because they are highly vulnerable to riverbank erosion and related livelihood disruptions.
PARTICIPANTS: Participants were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling technique based on the criterion that mothers had at least one child under the age of 5 years.
OUTCOMES: Stunting, wasting and underweight were considered independently as outcome variables to assess nutritional status.
METHODS: Descriptive analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of undernutrition, while the χ² test and multivariable Poisson regression model were used to identify significantly associated factors with undernutrition among children under 5 years of age in riverbank erosion areas.
RESULTS: The average prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 37.74%, 22.64% and 9.81%, respectively. Results from the Poisson regression model showed that children who were average or large in size at birth had a much lower prevalence of all forms of undernutrition compared with those born very small. Female children had a 30% lower prevalence of stunting compared with male children. In addition, having educated parents, receiving four or more antenatal care visits and household livestock ownership were each associated with a lower prevalence of undernutrition.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of stunting in this study was higher than that reported in the most recent Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2022. Child size at birth, sex, parental education, antenatal care visits and household livestock ownership were identified as significantly associated factors with undernutrition in riverbank erosion areas of Bangladesh.
PMID:41644157 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-103984
A double helix twist in HIV vaccine design
Science. 2026 Feb 5;391(6785):553-554. doi: 10.1126/science.aee5778. Epub 2026 Feb 5.
ABSTRACT
DNA origami scaffolds displaying HIV antigens stimulate focused antibody responses in mice.
PMID:41643031 | DOI:10.1126/science.aee5778
A double helix twist in HIV vaccine design
Science. 2026 Feb 5;391(6785):553-554. doi: 10.1126/science.aee5778. Epub 2026 Feb 5.
ABSTRACT
DNA origami scaffolds displaying HIV antigens stimulate focused antibody responses in mice.
PMID:41643031 | DOI:10.1126/science.aee5778
Thermoresponsive Reconfigurable Intelligent Electromagnetic Surfaces Enabled by VO<sub>2</sub> and Wood-Derived Nanocellulose, Suberin, and Biocarbon
ACS Appl Bio Mater. 2026 Feb 4. doi: 10.1021/acsabm.5c02239. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) are key enabling technologies for next-generation wireless telecommunication systems, offering dynamic control over electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation. However, most existing RIS demonstrations rely on conventional electronic or metallic platforms, raising concerns about resource availability, recyclability, and environmental sustainability. In this study, hybrid nanostructured RIS prototypes (Prototypes I-III) were designed and fabricated using sustainable, wood-derived materials, namely, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), suberin, and biocarbon, in combination with thermoresponsive vanadium dioxide (VO2) nanoparticles. The EM performance of these RIS architectures was first optimized through full-wave simulations and then validated experimentally by the cast-layer deposition of VO2/CNF-suberin functional layers onto printed circuit board (PCB) substrates. Among the tested designs, Prototype I, comprising a functional layer of 95 wt % VO2, 2.5 wt % nonderivatized CNF, and 2.5 wt % suberin, exhibited the most pronounced thermal response, showing resonance frequency shifts of up to 19 MHz at a 5 GHz center frequency and phase shifts of 83° with temperature variation. Prototype II, containing cationic CNFs, demonstrated improved mechanical stability but reduced electrical continuity due to microstructural cracking, whereas Prototype III, modified with biocarbon, displayed diminished conductivity arising from its lower VO2 content. Degree of linear polarization (DOLP) analysis revealed early stage phase transitions that occurred prior to complete conductive pathway formation. Overall, the hybrid RIS architectures developed from VO2 and wood-derived materials through a sustainable processing route exhibited highly tunable, temperature-triggered EM modulation, with sensitivity ranging from low to high, depending on the material composition and assembly configuration.
PMID:41636383 | DOI:10.1021/acsabm.5c02239
Fourteen Year Outcomes of a Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Endovenous Laser Ablation, High Ligation and Stripping, and Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy for Great Saphenous Varicose Veins
Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2026 Feb 1:S1078-5884(26)00093-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2026.01.056. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare high ligation and stripping (HLS), endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) for symptomatic great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux in the long term, given the limited comparative data beyond ten years.
METHODS: Patients with symptomatic GSV reflux were randomised (1:1:1) to undergo HLS, EVLA, or UGFS. One hundred and ninety-six patients treated at Helsinki University Hospital were invited to 14 year follow up. Primary outcomes were above knee GSV reflux and GSV re-intervention rates. Secondary outcomes included quality of life.
RESULTS: Of 233 randomised patients, 214 were included. UGFS increased the risk of GSV reflux recurrence compared with both HLS (risk ratio [RR] 11.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6 - 85.6) and EVLA (RR 5.0, 95% CI 1.5 - 16.6; 30.8% [12 of 39] after UGFS vs. 2.6% [1 of 38] and 6.1% [3 of 49] after HLS and EVLA, respectively; overall p < .001). UGFS was associated with a higher risk of GSV re-interventions compared with HLS (RR 4.3, 95% CI 1.8 - 10.2) and EVLA (RR 6.9, 95% CI 2.6 - 18.4; 56.4% for UGFS vs. 13.2% for HLS and 8.2% for EVLA; overall p < .001). Neovascularisation rates did not differ between the treatments (29.0%, 22.5%, and 23.1% for HLS, EVLA, and UGFS, respectively; overall p = .76). Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire scores were comparable across the groups (median [interquartile range] 8.9 [3.7, 13.3] in HLS, 6.1 [0.8, 12.2] in EVLA, and 8.8 [4.1, 13.4] in UGFS, with median differences of +2.8 [HLS vs. EVLA], +0.1 [HLS vs. UGFS], and -2.7 [EVLA vs. UGFS]; overall p = .21).
CONCLUSION: UGFS demonstrated inferior outcomes in terms of GSV recurrent reflux and re-intervention rates compared with both HLS and EVLA, whereas HLS and EVLA showed comparable performance across these outcomes. Long term quality of life was comparable across all groups.
PMID:41633433 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejvs.2026.01.056
Isolation and molecular characterization of gut-derived lactic acid bacteria from the gangetic mystus, Mystus Cavasius with promising probiotic attributes
Arch Microbiol. 2026 Feb 2;208(4):175. doi: 10.1007/s00203-026-04735-7.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:41627457 | DOI:10.1007/s00203-026-04735-7
Validation of the BARD scoring system for fibrosis detection in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Bioinformation. 2025 Oct 31;21(10):3703-3709. doi: 10.6026/973206300213703. eCollection 2025.
ABSTRACT
The diagnostic performance of the BARD scoring system in detecting significant fibrosis (≥F2) among Bangladeshi patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD is of interest. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 adult NAFLD patients at Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka. Liver fibrosis was staged histologically from biopsy specimens. The BARD score was calculated for each patient and its diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and ROC curve analysis. Clinical and biochemical predictors of fibrosis were also assessed. Among the cohort, 45% had significant fibrosis (F2-F4). The BARD score demonstrated a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 86.4%, positive predictive value of 83.3%, negative predictive value of 86.4% and an AUROC of 0.908 (p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between BARD score and fibrosis stage (r = 0.736). Multivariate analysis identified BMI ≥28 kg/m2 as an independent predictor of significant fibrosis (OR 17.53, p = 0.022). The BARD score is a reliable noninvasive tool for identifying significant liver fibrosis in Bangladeshi NAFLD patients, facilitating early risk stratification and management in resource-limited settings.
PMID:41623788 | PMC:PMC12859260 | DOI:10.6026/973206300213703
Threshold Decision-Making in the Venus Flytrap
Plant Sci. 2026 Jan 29:113010. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113010. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) closes its trap only after two touches of its sensory hairs within approximately twenty seconds, reflecting a temporally gated threshold mechanism. Using a quantitative reinterpretation of published electrophysiological and mechanical measurements, this correspondence demonstrates that the bistable, memory-dependent closure of the Venus flytrap conforms to a multiplicative threshold framework (ARCH × Φ), in which four readiness domains, architecture (A), drive (D), context (C), and phase (Φ), jointly determine activation. The framework accounts for the two-trigger rule, refractory gating, and the all-or-none nature of trap closure, capturing the plant's energy-efficient bistability.
PMID:41619979 | DOI:10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113010
Impact of four-rod instrumentation and interbody cages on pseudarthrosis and rod breakage in adult spinal deformity surgery with pelvic fixation and Schwab grade 2 osteotomies: a combined finite element model and clinical data analysis
J Neurosurg Spine. 2026 Jan 30:1-9. doi: 10.3171/2025.9.SPINE25604. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of four-rod (4R) constructs and interbody cages (IBCs) on pseudarthrosis and rod breakage (PA/RB) in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) who had undergone surgery with pelvic fixation and Schwab grade 2 osteotomies, using a combined finite element model (FEM) and clinical data analysis.
METHODS: A validated FEM simulated Schwab grade 2 osteotomies at the L4-5 level in two-rod and 4R configurations, with or without IBCs at L4-5 and L5-S1. Rod strain and range of motion were calculated under a 7.5-Nm moment. Clinical analysis was conducted on ASD patients with pelvic fixation and Schwab grade 2 osteotomies and ≥ 2 years of follow-up. Patients were classified into 2 groups depending on the presence or absence of PA/RB. Demographic, surgical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) data were compared.
RESULTS: The FEM analysis revealed maximal rod strain of 399 MPa at the osteotomy site in flexion. The 4R constructs and IBCs reduced strain to 114 MPa at L4-5 and 80 MPa at L5-S1. Among the 213 patients included in the study, PA/RB occurred in 61 (28.6%). Multivariate analysis revealed the use of 4R constructs (OR 0.331, 95% CI 0.16-0.71, p = 0.004) and IBCs (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.94, p = 0.033) as protective factors. Patients with PA/RB experienced more unplanned reinterventions, worse scores on PROMs, and greater loss of sagittal alignment at 2 years postoperatively.
CONCLUSIONS: Constructs with 4Rs and IBCs in ASD surgeries with pelvic fixation and Schwab grade 2 osteotomies significantly reduced rod strain and decreased the risk of PA/RB, leading to better scores on PROMs and decreasing unplanned reinterventions and loss of alignment.
PMID:41616294 | DOI:10.3171/2025.9.SPINE25604
Common variation at 1q23.3, 2p23.3, 2q33.3, and 2p21 influences risk of acute myeloid leukemia
Blood. 2026 Jan 29:blood.2025031266. doi: 10.1182/blood.2025031266. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex hematological malignancy with multiple disease sub-groups defined by somatic mutations and heterogeneous outcomes. Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a small number of common genetic variants influencing AML risk, the heritable component of this disease outside of familial susceptibility remains largely undefined. Here we perform a meta-analysis of four published GWAS plus two new GWAS, totalling 4710 AML cases and 12938 controls. We identify a new genome-wide significant risk locus for pan-AML at 2p23.3 (rs4665765; P=1.35x10-8; EFR3B, POMC, DNMT3A, DNAJC27) which also significantly associates with patient survival (P=6.09x10-3). Our analysis also identifies three new genome-wide significant risk loci for disease sub-groups, including AML with deletions of chromosome 5 and/or 7 at 1q23.3 (rs12078864; P=7.0x10-10; DUSP23) and cytogenetically complex AML at 2q33.3 (rs12988876; P=3.28x10-8; PARD3B) and 2p21 (rs79918355; P=1.60x10-9; EPCAM). We also investigated loci previously associated with risk of clonal hematopoiesis (CH) or clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and identified several variants associated with risk of AML. Our results further inform on AML etiology and demonstrate the existence of disease sub-group specific risk loci.
PMID:41610418 | DOI:10.1182/blood.2025031266
Realization of two-dimensional discrete time crystals with anisotropic Heisenberg coupling
Nat Commun. 2026 Jan 28;17(1):605. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-67787-1.
ABSTRACT
A discrete time crystal (DTC) is an out-of-equilibrium phase of matter that spontaneously breaks discrete time-translation symmetry. Previous studies have been limited to a set of models with Ising-like couplings - and mostly only in one dimension - thus precluding our understanding of the existence (or not) of DTCs in models with more realistic interactions. In this work, by combining the latest generation of IBM quantum processors with state-of-the-art tensor network methods, we demonstrate the existence of a DTC in a two-dimensional system governed by anisotropic Heisenberg interactions. We uncover a rich phase diagram encompassing spin-glass, ergodic, and time-crystalline phases, and identify the interplay of initialization, interaction anisotropy, and driving protocols in stabilizing the DTC phase. By extending the study of Floquet matter beyond simplified models, we lay the groundwork for exploring how driven systems bridge the gap between quantum coherence and emergent non-equilibrium thermodynamics.
PMID:41605888 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-67787-1