Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) frequently experience invisible symptoms, including cognitive impairment, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and psychosocial factors such as stigma, which can substantially affect social role participation (SRP). These factors are often under-recognized in clinical care despite their functional impact. OBJECTIVE:To examine the unique contributions of invisible MS-related symptoms to SRP after accounting for demographic characteristics and objective cognitive performance. METHODS:A cross-sectional sample of 434 PwMS was recruited from a large outpatient neurology clinic specializing in MS care. The sample was predominantly female (75%), largely white (85%), and middle-aged (M = 51.0, SD = 11.7), with mild-to-moderate disability. Participants completed a computerized cognitive battery and validated patient-reported outcome measures assessing disease impact, mood, fatigue, stigma, and SRP. Hierarchical regression models evaluated the variance explained by demographics, cognitive performance, and patient-reported symptoms. RESULTS:Demographic variables were not significant predictors of SRP. Cognitive performance accounted for 13.3% of the variance. Adding patient-reported outcomes increased explained variance to 70.6%. Depression, disease impact, fatigue, and executive functioning remained significant predictors, whereas stigma did not. CONCLUSIONS:Patient-reported symptom burden showed strong associations with SRP and explained more variance than demographic factors and most cognitive measures, while executive functioning also contributed independently.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a transformative force in radiology, offering enhanced diagnostic accuracy, workflow optimization, and the potential to alleviate rising imaging demands. As radiology remains inherently dependent on pattern recognition and high-volume data interpretation, it represents an ideal domain for AI integration. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the clinical impact of AI across multiple dimensions of radiologic practice, including diagnostic performance, workflow efficiency, patient perspectives, and trainee education. AI systems have demonstrated performance approaching or exceeding that of radiologists in high-prevalence tasks, particularly in chest imaging and breast cancer screening, while also improving triage and reducing report turnaround times. However, these benefits are accompanied by significant challenges. Automation bias, over-reliance on algorithmic output, and anthropomorphic framing may compromise clinical judgment. Additionally, AI integration may paradoxically increase workload and contribute to radiologist burnout when poorly implemented. Patient-centered studies consistently indicate a preference for AI-augmented, rather than autonomous, diagnostic models, underscoring the enduring importance of physician oversight and communication. Among trainees, concerns regarding job security persist, though these are mitigated by increased AI literacy and structured educational initiatives. Ultimately, AI is best conceptualized not as a replacement for radiologists, but as a complementary tool. Thoughtful integration, combined with robust training, validation, and human oversight, will be essential to ensure that AI enhances rather than diminishes the quality of radiologic care.

PURPOSE/UNASSIGNED:We report long-term follow-up on participants in the QUILT-3.032 study in BCG-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) carcinoma in situ (CIS) +/- papillary disease utilizing nogapendekin alfa inbakicept (NAI) approved by the FDA (ANKTIVA) in combination with BCG. MATERIALS AND METHODS/UNASSIGNED:Participants received 400 mcg NAI in combination with 50 mg BCG via intravesical instillation weekly for six weeks, with optional re-induction if complete response (CR) was not achieved at month 3. Primary endpoints were CR rate at any time; secondary endpoints were duration of CR (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and time to cystectomy. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:The CR rate (n=100) was 71% (95% CI, 61.1, 79.6) with a median DOR of 26.6 months (range, 0.03-53.62). The cystectomy-free rate (CFR) in the 71 responders at 24- and 36-months was 90.3% (95% CI 79.7, 95.6) and 84.2% (95% CI 69.6, 92.1), respectively. DSS was 100% (95% CI 100.0, 100.0) at 12-months, and 98.2% (95% CI 88.2, 99.8) at 36-months. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) were largely grade 1 to 2 (61%), with 3% grade 3 and no grade 4 or 5 TRAE observed with this biological combination. CONCLUSIONS/UNASSIGNED:The CR rate and durability of responses that surpass 53 months reveal the efficacy of NAI in combination with BCG for treating BCG-unresponsive NMIBC with CIS +/- Ta/T1 disease. The high CFR of 84% and DSS of 98% at 36-months suggest that NAI plus BCG is a safe and efficacious option for NMIBC with CIS +/- Ta/T1 disease.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:Retained foreign bodies (RFB), or those left behind following spine surgery, are considered "Never Events (NE < 1/1000: they should never happen)," or "Near Never Events (NNE < 1/100; they should nearly never happen)", but are not just "Adverse Events (AE >/= 1/100)." The vast majority of NE/NNE are due to cotton sponges, cottonoids, or residual cotton strands (i.e., collectively called Textilomas or Gossypibomas). However, RFB additionally included; fractured needles, guidewires, fractured screws/implants/drains, and/or broken instruments (i.e., scalpels). Notably, the spine surgeon of record, as captain of the ship, is primarily liable for RFB and is central to ensuing medicolegal suits. However, secondarily liable are the adjunctive surgical/medical personnel, (i.e., physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists), and others who are independent or work full-time for hospitals. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:Patients with RFB may present with acute, subacute, or chronic/delayed pain and suffering. Additional complaints include; lost wages, sustained physical disability and/or injury attributed to these objects. Most RFB are diagnosed on plain X-rays, followed by MR and/or CT studies. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:RBS's may include; retained drain fragments, broken needles, fractured guidewires, broken scalpel blades, fractured screws, and/or instruments. Retrieval procedures warrant a wide variety of different techniques, some of which fail. Notably, RFB's largely occur due to the performance of; emergent procedures, doing an unfamiliar operation, encountering anatomical variants, or operating on patients with elevated body mass indexes (BMI). Additionally these include; surgeons' failure to order and/or radiologists' failure to correctly read intraoperative X-rays/fluoroscopic images, and/or nurses' failures to correctly perform end of surgery counts. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:RFBs, or foreign bodies left behind following spine surgery, are considered "Never Events (< 1/1000)" or "Near Never Events (< 1/100)," and are not just "Adverse Events (> 1/100)". When they do occur, the operating surgeon bears primary responsibility, but the nursing/adjunctive staff and hospital are also liable.

From 2014 to 2025, accelerated 3-year MD programs (A3YP) have expanded significantly, such that 20% of allopathic medical schools offer a program to earn the MD degree in three years. While maintaining rigorous and comparable educational standards as traditional 4-year programs, A3YPs aim to address physician workforce shortages, reduce student debt, and provide individualized education pathways into specific specialties. Among the thirty-two A3YPs in existence, twenty-two medical schools have graduated 1141 students to date, with numbers increasing annually. Nineteen programs are linked to a residency program, though six of these programs consistently match students outside their linked program. As more medical schools implement A3YPs and an increasing number of graduates enter the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), residency program directors will encounter A3YP applicants more frequently. The proliferation of A3YPs presents both challenges and opportunities for residency program directors in evaluating applicants. Despite the differences in their applications, including limited extracurricular activities and time for visiting rotations, these applicants have been found to perform similarly in standardized testing and residency milestones, and have similar well-being and satisfaction as traditional students. This perspective outlines key considerations for PDs and provides a foundation for contextually evaluating the increasing numbers of these applicants graduating from A3YPs.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the incidence, timing, and clinical predictors of radiation-induced hematuria following robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for localized prostate cancer. METHODS:This retrospective single-center cohort study included 397 patients treated with robotic SBRT between 2013 and 2019 for localized prostate cancer. All patients received 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions with the urethral sparing technique. Radiation-induced hematuria was defined as gross hematuria or clinically significant microscopic hematuria without alternative etiology. Incidence, time to first event, and related interventions were assessed. Severity was graded using CTCAE version 5.0. Candidate predictors were selected based on the literature. Cox proportional hazards modeling identified clinical predictors of radiation-induced hematuria. RESULTS:At a median follow-up of 56 months (IQR 29-79), 48 patients (12.1%) developed radiation-induced hematuria, occurring at a median of 30 months (IQR 19-49) after radiation treatment. Severe events (grade 3) were rare, affecting only 5 patients (1.3%). Diagnostic cystoscopy was performed in 35 patients (72.9%) and 6 patients (12.5%) required a total of 10 therapeutic interventions. Diabetes was the only independent predictor (HR 2.63, 95% CI 1.37-5.00, p = 0.004), while age, anticoagulant use, prostate volume, and Charlson Comorbidity Index showed no significant association. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Radiation-induced hematuria following robotic SBRT is predominantly low-grade and late-occurring, confirming the favorable genitourinary toxicity profile. These findings help clinicians better understand this SBRT-related toxicity and provide more accurate patient counseling regarding timing and severity of potential hematuria. Diabetes was identified as an independent risk factor and may have clinical implications; however, whether optimization of glycemic control reduces hematuria risk remains uncertain and requires further investigation.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Mobile health cardiac rehabilitation may improve access to care among older adults with ischemic heart disease, but engagement remains poorly understood. We analyzed weekly engagement data from the RESILIENT (Rehabilitation Using Mobile Health for Older Adults with Ischemic Heart Disease in the Home Setting) trial, a large, randomized trial of mobile health cardiac rehabilitation in older adults conducted in the United States. METHODS:Data from 298 intervention participants were analyzed. Weekly engagement was scored from 0 to 11 based on exercise entry (7 points), communication with exercise therapist (2 points), video viewing (1 point), and blood pressure measurement (1 point). Latent class analysis identified digital engagement phenotypes. Participant characteristics were compared, and multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with phenotype membership. RESULTS:Median age was 71.0 years, 28% were women, 23% were non-White, and 62% were enrolled after elective percutaneous coronary intervention. Latent class analysis identified 3 phenotypes: persistently low (n = 81), intermediate declining (n = 93), and persistently high (n = 124). Participants with persistently low engagement were more likely to be non-White (48% vs 12% vs 15%, P < .001), Medicaid enrolled (22% vs 8% vs 7%, P = .001), have less than high school education (16% vs 4% vs 3%, P < .001), have frailty phenotype (28% vs 10% vs 7%, P < .001), and have a greater mean number of comorbidities (3.1 vs 3.0 vs 2.6; P = .012). After adjustment, non-White race and frailty remained independently associated with low engagement. Improvement in 6-minute walk test distance varied: 20.8 m (low), 29.7 m (intermediate), and 54.5 m (high) (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS:Three distinct digital engagement phenotypes emerged. Persistently low engagement was more common among non-White and frail participants, underscoring ongoing disparities despite efforts to overcome the digital divide.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To assess efficacy and adverse outcomes of misoprostol 200mcg versus 400mcg every three hours buccal or vaginal for medication abortion (MAb) from 24-27 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:This retrospective cohort study included MAbs from 24 0/7-27 0/7 weeks' gestation at Bellevue Hospital from 7/2022-6/2025. All patients received digoxin 2mg intraamniotic injection and mifepristone 200mg oral followed at 24-48hrs by misoprostol 200mcg or 400mcg every three hours buccal or vaginal based on hospital policy at time of admission. The primary outcome was time from first misoprostol dose to placental expulsion. Secondary outcomes were procedural complications. Primary statistical analysis was performed with Fisher's exact and Wilcox rank-sum tests. RESULTS:Of 55 patients, 27 (49%) received 200mcg doses of misoprostol and 28 (51%) received 400mcg doses of misoprostol. Median time to expulsion was 13hrs in the 200mcg group versus 9.5hrs in the 400mcg group (p=0.144). More patients in the 200mcg group versus the 400mcg group had blood loss ≥500mL (11.1% vs 0%, p=0.11) and retained placenta at four hours (3.7% vs 0%, p=0.49). No patients in either group had uterine rupture. CONCLUSIONS:Misoprostol 200mcg versus 400mcg every three hours buccal or vaginal for MAb from 24-27 weeks' gestation had overall similar outcomes. Although this single site retrospective study is underpowered to significantly differentiate between the two regimens, we observe that 200mcg dosing may be associated with higher risk of complications. Larger studies are needed to clarify optimal misoprostol dosing for 24-27 week MAb. IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS:For medication abortion from 24-27 weeks' gestation, serial doses of misoprostol 200mcg versus 400mcg every three hours have similar rates of complications, though there is a signal that 200mcg dosing may be associated with longer time to expulsion, higher blood loss, and more incidences of retained placenta.