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The editorial discusses the introduction of high sensitivity cardiac troponin assays for rapid rule-out of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMI) in emergency settings. Studies have shown that undetectable or very low troponin concentrations upon admission reliably rule out NSTEMI when using high sensitivity assays. Analyzing the effect of assay imprecision on rapid rule-out algorithms, recent articles suggest that even with increased imprecision, the negative predictive value remains high. The editorial emphasizes the importance of monitoring assay performance to ensure accurate patient classification and highlights the robustness of the recommended rapid rule-out algorithms. [Extracted from the article]

The document discusses the importance of early cancer detection and the potential of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, such as the Galleri test by GRAIL, in screening for various types of cancer. While the Galleri test shows high accuracy and specificity, it has low sensitivity, raising concerns about its effectiveness in detecting cancer signals early. The document also highlights criticisms and concerns from various experts regarding the clinical performance, cost-effectiveness, and potential harms associated with MCED tests, emphasizing the need for further large-scale studies to determine their utility in clinical practice. [Extracted from the article]

Aims: Childhood cancer is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in later life. Retinal examination allows to non-invasively observe the vasculature of an end-organ. We observe alterations in long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS)., Methods: In the Cardiac and Vascular Late Sequelae in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer-Study, 1002 CCS (23-48 years) having neoplasia prior to 15 years of age were prospectively enrolled in a general and ophthalmologic examination including fundus photography. Central retinal vessel equivalents (arterial: CRAE; venous CRVE) were measured and linear regression analysis was computed to compare CCS to controls from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) with adjustment for potential cardiovascular and ophthalmological confounders. Differences in cancer types and treatments were explored., Results: For 837 CCS (45.3% female), CRAE and CRVE were conducted. Both were smaller in CCS previously having leukaemia, central nervous system tumour, neuroblastoma, renal tumour, malignant bone tumour, soft tissue sarcoma and germ cell tumour than in GHS controls. No difference was found for CCS with prior lymphoma. Previous radiotherapy of head or neck was associated with a smaller CRVE. Higher mean arterial blood pressure and intake of antihypertensive medication were associated with smaller CRAE., Conclusions: Retinal vasculature is altered in CCS leading to smaller retinal arteries and veins. Our finding indicates that childhood cancer and its treatment leads to systemic alterations of the microcirculation on both branches of the vasculature system. While the retinal venous vasculature is altered by radiotherapy, the lower vessel width of the arterial branch is associated with arterial hypertension., (© 2025 The Author(s). Acta Ophthalmologica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

This study investigates the association between self-reported birth weight (BW) and the frequency of cataract and pseudophakia in a large population-based cohort in Germany, as part of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). Slit lamp examination and Scheimpflug imaging of 8205 participants, aged 35 to 74, were assessed and signs of cataract or pseudophakia analyzed. The research aimed to explore the correlation between fetal growth restriction and/or prematurity indicated by BW and the frequency of cataract and pseudophakia. In the univariable analysis, cataract was initially associated with low and high BW, but this association disappeared after adjusting for age, sex, examiner and cardiovascular risk factors. No association was found between low BW and pseudophakia or the frequency of cataract surgery within 5 years. The study reveals novel insights from a large population-based study specifically exploring this association., Competing Interests: NP receives financial support and grants from Novartis, Ivantis, Santen, Thea, Boehringer Ingelheim Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Alcon, and Sanoculis. AKS acted as a consultant for Apellis and AbbVie, and received financial and research support by AbbVie, Bayer Vital, Heidelberg Engineering, Novartis, Santen. PSW is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF 01EO1503); report grants and/or personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Philips Medical Systems, Bayer AG, Novartis Pharma, Pfizer Pharma, Bristol Myers Squibb, Astra Zeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, TRON GmbH, and Sanofi Aventis, outside the submitted work. PSW and TM are PI of the German Center for Vascular Research (DZHK). JMS acts as consultant to Apollo Endosurgery, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Gilead Sciences, GSK, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Ipsen, Inventiva Pharma, Madrigal, MSD, Northsea Therapeutics, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Siemens Healthineers. Research Funding: Gilead Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim, Siemens Healthcare GmbH. He also reports personal fees from Akero, Alentis, Alexion, Altimmune, Astra Zeneca, 89Bio, Bionorica, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead Sciences, GSK, HistoIndex, Ipsen, Inventiva Pharma, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Kríya Therapeutics, Lilly, MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH, Nordic Bioscience, Northsea Therapeutics, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Siemens Healthineers; speaker honoraria from AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead Sciences, Ipsen Novo Nordisk, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals; stock options from Hepta Bio, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2025 Fieß et al.)