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12 citation(s) found for "Ünlü, Serhan".

Development and Validation of an Optical Sensor-Based Automated Urine Flow Meter for Real-Time Patient Monitoring
Hota, Piyush , Pandian, Adithya Shyamala , Domínguez, Rodrigo E., Mo, Manni , Fu, Bo , Miranda, Sandra, Cay-Durgun, Pinar , Sirganagari, Dheeraj, Serhan, Michael , Serhan, Peter , Karam, Kevin Abi , Gades, Naomi M. , Wiktor, Peter , Thomas, Leslie F. , Lind, Mary Laura , Forzani, Erica , Domínguez, R. , Dominguez, Rodrigo E , Thomas, Leslie , Miranda, Sandra, Sirganagari, Dheeraj Reddy

Sensors | January 28, 2026 | Volume: 26 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 849

10.3390/s26030849 | PMID 41682367 Get It

Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects thousands of hospitalized patients annually, yet early detection remains challenging as serum creatinine elevation lags behind clinical deterioration. Decreased urine output (UO) represents a key diagnostic criterion of AKI, sometimes manifesting hours before biochemical changes; however, current manual monitoring methods are labor-intensive and prone to error. Here, we developed and validated a simple, cost-effective automated urine flow meter using non-contact optical sensors, a peristaltic pump, and microcontroller-based automation for precise, real-time monitoring of urine output in clinical settings, named P-meter. Three successive prototypes (V1, V2, V3) were validated against gold-standard gravimetric measurements over 285 h of testing during animal experiments that required bladder catheterization. Iterative refinement addressed miniaturization challenges, fluid dynamics optimization, and sensor positioning to achieve progressively improved accuracy. The optimized V3 prototype demonstrated further enhanced volumetric precision, stability, and flow accuracy with near-unity linearity vs. reference method (R2 = 0.9889), minimal bias (mean error −0.1 mL), and 94.18% agreement within confidence limits (n = 86), outperforming the initial V1 prototype (R2 = 0.9971, mean error −1.69 mL, n = 207) and intermediate V2 design (R2 = 0.9941, mean error 3.63 mL, n = 390), primarily in terms of reduced bias and improved agreement. The P-meter offers accurate urine output monitoring at a lower cost than commercial systems, facilitating its use in early AKI detection and thereby improving patient outcomes.
TP53 mutational spectrum and fitness landscape in myeloid neoplasia
UNLU, ERSAN, Bahaj, Waled, Ünlü, Serhan , Brady, Zachary, Cheema, Asfand Yar , Hunyadi, Olivia, Zurowski, Charlotte, Marumo, Atsushi , Lakhotiya, Kartik, Sartori, F , Mandala, Aashray, Maciejewski, Jaroslaw, UNLU, ERSAN, Kewan, Tariq Zuheir , Bravo‐Pérez, Carlos , Brady, Zachary, Hunyadi, Olivia, Sartori, Felipe de Almeida, Mandala, Aashray, Orland, Mark D. , Guarnera, Luca , Gurnari, Carmelo , Visconte, Valeria , Durmaz, Arda

Blood | December 5, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4360-4360

10.1182/blood-2025-4360 Get It

Abstract Myeloid neoplasia encompasses a heterogeneous and complex molecular landscape whereby the distinct combinatorial patterns associated with clinical phenotypes are difficult to delineate. Given that genetic heterogeneity can be a consequence of the topology of the fitness landscape (peaked/non-peaked=high vs low fitness), we investigated co-mutational patterns in TP53 context as an example of hallmark genomic heterogeneity. Indeed, TP53 gene is characterized by hypomorphic/loss-of-function lesions, truncating mutations (frameshifts, stop codons), missense mutations often having a dominant-negative effect and loss of heterozygosity by chromosome 17p deletion driving clonal expansion. Clinical phenotypes of TP53 mutants are also heterogeneous. Here, we stratify TP53 mutations based on our previous published data1 whereby patients with single-hit TP53 and variant allelic frequency (VAF) >50% were classified as obligatory biallelic, patients with VAF between 23-50% as probable biallelic and <23% as probable monoallelic. A threshold of VAF 23% was optimal to separate monoallelic vs biallelic and was based on all-cause mortality. A tree-based model (RandomForestSRC) was used to build a survival model with VAF as a single covariate and minimum node size set to 15 to optimize the cut-off. Using this cut-off, we delineate the epistatic landscape and potential interactions among different TP53 mutational spectra and its fitness. We curated a cohort of 800 patients with TP53 mutations from our institution. In total 36% of the cases carried single hits while 64% had double hits genomic configuration. About 70% of the mutations were missense and were detected at canonical sites (R175H, Y220C, M237I, R273H, R282W, R248Q). We took into consideration 35 features and clustered our cohort of TP53 mutants using factor analysis. When we stratified the cohort based on our predetermined VAF threshold, we found that majority of the variants with high VAF, to be deemed as obligatory biallelic, co-occurred with complex karyotype. These cases were very homogeneous hence had on average a low number of additional variants, likely due to TP53 clones having reduced fitness in the presence of additional mutations. Conversely, patients without complex karyotype were mostly assigned to the monoallelic group due to low to median VAFs. Consequently, these samples had on average a higher number of additional hits, hence a heterogeneous molecular landscape. To substantiate this finding, we noticed that among monoallelic patients two characteristic pairs were observed (TP53-TET2 and TP53-SF3B1) and showed different patterns according to karyotypic associations. Indeed, both pairs in normal karyotype (TP53-TET2, 65%; TP53-SF3B1, 23%) had the highest number of additional mutations on average compared to other monoallelic hits in complex karyotype suggesting that clones resulting by these pairs were advantageous and produced higher fitness driving heterogeneity when together with other mutations. As a preliminary analysis to characterize the fitness landscape of canonical missense TP53 mutations, we investigated whether distinct TP53 mutations conferred differential clonal fitness by implementing a previously published model of stochastic hematopoietic stem cell growth based on the distribution of allelic frequencies across different age groups. Given a fixed stem cell population pool and a constant mutation rate, the distribution of allelic frequencies in the population of corresponding mutations across age can inform the fitness/selection coefficient. The model predicts that high fit mutations will expand more in the population (high VAF) depending on the time the mutation is allowed to expand (age). Based on the literature, we set the stem cell pool to 100,000 and the mutation rate to 1.4E-8.2We limited our analysis to mutations found in at least 10 individual in our cohort and to single hits due to potential epistatic interactions across multiple mutations in the same gene. Given this criterion two mutations R273H and R248Q were analyzed. Interestingly, we observed a 15% increase in fitness gain for R273H compared to R248Q. In summary, mutational heterogeneity and clonal fitness might provide clues to the diversity of TP53 mutational configurations. Our model will be further optimized for the upcoming ASH meeting by incorporating temporal sampling and increasing sample size to define differences in fitness according to mutation site.
Idiopathic neutropenia after clonal and antigenic exclusion: A progesterone-dependent subtype
Cheema, Asfand Yar , Mandala, Aashray, Ünlü, Serhan , Brady, Zachary, Maciejewski, Jaroslaw, Orland, Mark D. , Bravo‐Pérez, Carlos , Ogbue, Olisaemeka , Mandala, Aashray, Brady, Zachary, Gurnari, Carmelo , Visconte, Valeria

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 2995-2995

10.1182/blood-2025-2995 Get It

Abstract Chronic idiopathic neutropenia (CIN) is characterized by a persistently reduced absolute neutrophil count, typically <1.5×10⁹/L for ≥3 months, without identifiable infectious, nutritional, autoimmune, clonal, congenital, or drug-related causes. It most commonly affects adult women, carries a variable risk of infection, and is frequently managed expectantly in the absence of severe or recurrent infections. An index case of CIN with irregular menses and normalization of counts during pregnancy prompted an institution-wide review of adult neutropenia. U[p front we excluded cases of known congenital and drug-induced neutropenia. Among 238 presumed CIN patients, 88 had large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia–associated neutropenia, 63 had autoimmune neutropenia defined by the presence of anti-neutrophil antibodies, and 87 met criteria for idiopathic neutropenia. Within the presumptive CIN group, extended blood antigen screening identified 12 patients with a Duffy-null phenotype, who were excluded from further idiopathic analysis (final n=75). This included 10 African American, 1 Caucasian, and 1 Asian patient. Extended blood-group profiling (Kidd, Colton, Lutheran, Dombrock, LW, ABO) showed no significant deviation from population frequencies. In the remaining non-Duffy CIN patients, remarkably 54/75 were female with a mean age of 45±16 years. At presentation, mean WBC was 2.84±0.58×10⁹/L and ANC was 0.92±0.39×10⁹/L, Hgb was 13.5±1.2g/dL and platelets were 229±83×10⁹/L. Antinuclear antibodies were assessed in 73 patients, with 63 negative and 10 positive, predominantly speckled (66%) but rheumatologic consultation did not yield systemic autoimmune diagnoses. Hypothyroidism was noted in two CIN cases. Irregular menses were reported in 50% of female CIN patients with documented histories, and among those, 80% exhibited higher or normal neutrophil counts during gestation. Physiologically, pregnancy is a progesterone-high state associated with neutrophilia and physiologic leukocytosis; in addition, progesterone can dampen cytotoxic T-cell activity and inflammatory signaling while supporting marrow niche function. Furthermore, progesterone binds PR on marrow stromal cells and can upregulate CSF3 (G-CSF) and possibly other hematopoietic growth factors, thus regulating granulopoiesis. By contrast, anovulatory or irregular cycles often reflect luteal progesterone deficiency, which may predispose susceptible patients to lower ANC prompting us to formulate a theory that excess of CIN in females may be due to a progesterone-responsive CIN subtype. From our cohort, there were no patients on progesterone-supplement to evaluate if there would be responsiveness secondary to its utilization. To further support this theory we turned to metanalytic resources. TriNetX1allowed us search and identify women receiving exogenous progesterone versus a control receiving non-hormonal contraceptives and assign to them a corresponding ANC. When we compared ANC in 1:1 greedy propensity-score matching to control for covariates (demographics, BMI, and disease confounders e.g., malignancy). balance between comparator groups was confirmed by standardized mean differences <0.10. After matching (n=18,561 per arm), the exogenous progesterone group had a significantly higher neutrophil count compared to non-hormonal contraception (1.9±3.7 vs 1.5±1.7; t=3.5, p=.0004). The cohort age range was similar to our patient population 44 ±19. Our observations motivate prospective evaluation of progesterone-high states as potential modifiers of ANC in otherwise idiopathic cases and particularly refractory cases Cycle-synchronized CBC with paired progesterone and estradiol measurements, together with controlled progesterone augmentation trials, can quantify ANC changes and clinical outcomes in this subset. We thank TriNetX and all participants for their contribution, without whom this research would not have been possible. ReferencesRobertson SA, Mayrhofer G, Seamark RF. Ovarian steroid hormones regulate granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor synthesis by uterine epithelial cells in the mouse. Biol Reprod. 1996 Jan;54(1):183-96. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod54.1.183. PMID: 8838016.
Serum erythropoietin level as a selective pressure in clonal hematopoiesis: Insights into the mutational landscape of myeloid neoplasias
Brady, Zachary, Zurowski, Charlotte, Sartori, F. , Hunyadi, Olivia, Mandala, Aashray, Haddad, Christopher, Ünlü, Serhan , Marumo, Atsushi , Lakhotiya, Kartik, Maciejewski, Jaroslaw P. , Sartori, Felipe de Almeida, Kewan, Tariq Zuheir , Orland, Mark D. , Mandala, Aashray, Carraway, Hetty E. , Singh, Abhay , Gurnari, Carmelo , Durmaz, Arda , Visconte, Valeria

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3174-3174

10.1182/blood-2025-3174 Get It

Abstract Outgrowth of a founder mutant clone is an initial event in leukemogenesis. The corresponding somatic hit likely conveys a fitness advantage over a polyclonal background. Several factors may modulate the competitiveness of hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells, including aging, genotoxic stress, repeated cycles of stress hematopoiesis, and inherited genetic fitness deficiency. The nature of these conditions provides a particularly fertile environment in which only certain mutant clones thrive. For instance, chemotherapy facilitates expansion of PPMD1MT or TP53MT clones, aging-related loss of fitness predisposes to outgrowth of TET2MT clones, while many inherited bone marrow failure (BMF) syndromes are associated with specific clonal acquisitions due to somatic gene rescue. Identification of factors enabling the expansion of clones with specific mutations may help to develop targeted preventive, screening, or therapeutic strategies. Recently, high levels of erythropoietin (EPO) induced by frequent blood donation were shown to favor the emergence of DNMT3AR882 clones due to their increased EPO sensitivity1. We theorized that this may be a more general phenomenon operating in other diseases characterized by high EPO levels. Thus, we selected 644 patients in whom endogenous serum EPO levels had been assessed and who underwent mutational NGS analysis. Given that this cohort consisted of patients with hematologic neoplasms, EPO levels were broad with the majority falling outside the normal clinical reference range. For this study we used EPO levels ≥100mU/mL as the threshold to define high and low EPO groups. This threshold laid above the 75th percentile for our cohort (M=31.1; IQR=109.7) to capture outliers more likely to reflect biologically significant erythropoietic stress. DNMT3AMT were present in 14% of high EPO and in 12% of low EPO groups (p=0.5). However, in the high EPO group, R882 constituted 32% of DNMT3AMT while in the low EPO group R882 was found in only 11% of DNMT3AMT cases (p=.02). In a reverse fashion, the mean level of EPO in DNMT3AR882 was 441.7mU/mL while it was 215.3mU/mL in other DNMT3AMT carriers (p=0.03) and 186.2mU/mL in DNMT3AWT cases (p<0.001). To assess whether the effect on DNMT3A was dependent on EPO levels rather than anemia, we determined mean hemoglobin levels in R882 (µ=10.2g/dL), other DNMT3AMT (µ=10.4g/dL), and wild type cases (µ=10.9g/dL) and found no significant differences (p=0.33). To assess whether R882-EPO sensitivity was related to EPO-R expression levels, we compared EPO-R expression in R882 (µ=2.7), non-R882 (µ=2.6) mutations, and WT cases (µ=2.8) and found no significant difference. To assess whether the impact of high EPO states was specific to DNMT3AMT we next analyzed the distribution of other mutations. We observed that frameshift mutations in BCOR (p = 0.013) and BCORL1 (p=0.036) were significantly more frequent in high EPO patients. BCORMT was also overall more prevalent in the high EPO group (p=.001), while BCORL1 frequency was similar across EPO strata (p=0.77) showing a similar trend to DNMT3AMT. Beyond these genes, other patterns emerged, particularly within CH-associated genes. Individuals with U2AF1MT had elevated EPO (p=.0087), with variant-specific enrichment: p.S34F was more common in high EPO (p=.038) whereas p.Q157P predominated in low EPO patients (p=0.038). No significant EPO associations were observed for other CH-related genes such as ASXL1, CBL, and TET2. The limitations of this study notwithstanding, these findings support a biologically meaningful relationship between elevated EPO levels and the acquisition or enrichment of specific CH-associated mutations in patients with hematologic malignancies. The association of high EPO with DNMT3AR882, frameshift mutations in BCOR/L1, and variant-specific enrichment in U2AF1 suggests that EPO-driven stress may contribute to clonal selection or expansion. Our study of high EPO levels and DNMT3AMT analysis illustrates that external conditions may influence selection pressure for specific mutations. However, selection pressure may be a complex combination of factors. Non-malignant conditions with high EPO, such as hypoxia or intrinsic BMF, may also create conditions facilitating the acquisition of specific somatic hits. Recognition of evolutionary pressures and their associations with specific mutations may improve our understanding of CH pathogenesis, and conceptualization of therapeutic or preventative measures.
Management of a real-world cohort of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria treated with iptacopan: A multi-institutional analysis
Orland, Mark, Thiagarajan, Praveena, Unlu, Serhan, Ahmed, Arooj, Bravo-Perez, Carlos, Addona, Matteo D, Basch, Megan, Lee, Soyon, Bilano, Ver, Paulose, Jincy, Geevarghese, Lincy, Bollu, Vamsi, Dingli, David, Maciejewski, Jaroslaw, Gurnari, Carmelo, Orland, Mark, Thiagarajan, Praveena, Unlu, Serhan, Ahmed, Arooj, Bravo-Perez, Carlos, Addona, Matteo D, Basch, Megan, Lee, Soyon, Bilano, Ver, Paulose, Jincy, Geevarghese, Lincy, Bollu, Vamsi, Dingli, David, Maciejewski, Jaroslaw, Gurnari, Carmelo

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1430-1430

10.1182/blood-2025-1430 Get It

Abstract Introduction: Iptacopan, the first oral complement inhibitor, offers an attractive alternative to parenteral complement blockers in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). While clinical trials have confirmed its efficacy vs terminal C5 inhibition, real-world data on breakthrough hemolysis (BTH), complement-activating conditions (CACs), and switching patients with satisfactory response to prior therapy (hemoglobin [Hgb] ≥10 g/dL) are limited. We studied a large multi-institutional PNH cohort treated with iptacopan. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 62 patients with PNH who received iptacopan for ≥3 months between FDA approval in December 2023 and April 2025 (mean exposure, 1.01 years; 62 patient-years). Patients from the Cleveland Clinic network and Mayo Clinic were analyzed. Demographics, prior therapies, reasons for transition, Hgb, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), platelet counts, thrombotic events, CACs, BTH, and adverse events were extracted. Efficacy was assessed separately for treatment-naive patients and treatment-experienced patients (sub-optimal responders [Hgb <10 g/dL] and optimal responders to prior therapy). Results: Overall, 12 of 62 patients were treatment naive and 50 switched from prior therapy (of whom 21 had sub-optimal responses and 29 had optimal responses). In the 50 patients who switched, 60% transitioned from ravulizumab, 30% from pegcetacoplan, 8% from eculizumab, and 2% from ravulizumab and danicopan. The primary reasons for switching were the convenience of oral medications (n=17), extravascular hemolysis or BTH (n=10), prior medication side effects (n=5), desire to further improve Hgb (n=6), and not documented (n=12). A total of 4 patients discontinued iptacopan (2 pregnancies, 1 insurance reversal, 1 intolerable gastrointestinal toxicity). Three patients reported headaches, and 1 reported abdominal pain; all resolved within 1 week from treatment start. Across the 62 patient-years, no thrombotic events occurred, 18 CAC episodes were managed with iptacopan 200 mg BID (10 infections, 1 heart-failure exacerbation, 2 minor surgeries, 1 traumatic brain injury, 2 pancreatitis, 2 pregnancies), and none triggered BTH. Overall, 3 clinically significant BTH events (in 3 patients; 4.8% annualized) were recorded: 2 infection-related (managed outpatient) and 1 alcoholic pancreatitis; all resolved with a 1- to 2-day increase to iptacopan 400 mg BID ± single-dose eculizumab. Two hemolytic events secondary to non-adherence were reported (4 days after stopping iptacopan). These resolved after resuming iptacopan 200 mg BID without need for hospitalization. In treatment-naive patients, mean Hgb increased significantly by 1.87 g/dL from iptacopan initiation (baseline) to 3 months (9.9±1.9 to 11.8±1.3 g/dL; P=.005), sustained until last follow-up at 12 months. LDH decreased by 369 U/L at 3 months (P=.058), sustained through 12 months. No significant change was seen in platelets, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), or white blood cell (WBC) count. In treatment-experienced sub-optimal responders, mean Hgb increased significantly by 2.16 g/dL from baseline to 3 months (8.6±.89 to 10.8±2.1; P<0.001). At 12 months, 85% of patients had increased Hgb compared with baseline (median increase: 3.31±1.62 g/dL). LDH decreased significantly from baseline to 3 months by 229 U/L (P=.03), with no significant changes noted in LDH from 3 to 12 months or in platelets, ANC, or WBC counts. In previously treated complement inhibitor responders, mean Hgb increased significantly by 0.75 g/dL from baseline to 3 months (12.0±1.3 to 12.8±1.7 g/dL; P=.004), with 79% showing improvements from baseline at 12-month follow-up (median increase: 1.16±0.82 g/dL). LDH decreased significantly by 45 U/L from baseline to 3 months (P=.03), with no further significant changes from 3 to 12 months. Conclusions: In this real-world cohort, iptacopan provided substantial and durable hemoglobin improvement across naive and previously treated patients with PNH, with meaningful reduction in hemolytic parameters, absence of thrombosis, and low BTH rate predominantly linked to infection. Patients with previous satisfactory responses also showed improved Hgb levels. The favorable safety profile and high treatment persistence underscore iptacopan's role as an effective first-line or switch therapy and support its incorporation into evidence-based sequencing algorithms in the evolving PNH treatment landscape.
Navigating the complement cascade: A multicenter journey from pegcetacoplan to iptacopan in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Thiagarajan, Praveena, Orland, Mark, Unlu, Serhan, Ahmed, Arooj, Bravo-Perez, Carlos, Addona, Matteo D, Basch, Megan, Lee, Soyon, Bilano, Ver, Paulose, Jincy, Geevarghese, Lincy, Bollu, Vamsi, Sanikommu, Srinivasa Reddy, Dingli, David, Maciejewski, Jaroslaw, Gurnari, Carmelo, Thiagarajan, Praveena, Orland, Mark, Unlu, Serhan, Ahmed, Arooj, Bravo-Perez, Carlos, Addona, Matteo D, Basch, Megan, Lee, Soyon, Bilano, Ver, Paulose, Jincy, Geevarghese, Lincy, Bollu, Vamsi, Sanikommu, Srinivasa Reddy, Dingli, David, Maciejewski, Jaroslaw, Gurnari, Carmelo

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1433-1433

10.1182/blood-2025-1433 Get It

Abstract Introduction: The therapeutic landscape for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) has rapidly evolved with multiple proximal complement inhibitors now available, including pegcetacoplan (C3 inhibitor) and iptacopan (oral factor B inhibitor). While clinical trials have established individual drug efficacy compared with terminal complement inhibitors, real-world evidence regarding therapeutic transitions between proximal complement inhibitors remains extremely limited. As patients and clinicians increasingly seek to optimize treatment through sequential therapy approaches, understanding the outcomes of transitioning from pegcetacoplan to iptacopan becomes critical for evidence-based treatment sequencing in this rare hematologic disorder. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter analysis across 3 academic medical centers (Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Levine Cancer Institute) that evaluated 15 consecutive patients with PNH who were considered for transition from pegcetacoplan to iptacopan. Patients had confirmed PNH by flow cytometry and ≥3 months pegcetacoplan exposure. After switching to iptacopan, we assessed treatment acceptance rates, demographic characteristics, clinical outcomes including hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and safety parameters. Responses to iptacopan were classified as optimal (hemoglobin >10.5 g/dL with clinical improvement) or suboptimal. Statistical analysis used paired t tests for continuous variables. Results: Of the 15 patients evaluated (median age [range]: 53 [22-81] years; 73% female), 14 patients (93.3%) elected to transition to iptacopan, demonstrating high treatment acceptance. Disease subtypes included classic PNH (36%) and PNH (64%) in the setting of another bone marrow disorder (n=7), multiple myeloma (n=1), and myelofibrosis (n=1). Median (range) duration of pegcetacoplan treatment pre-switch was 3 months (2-7 months), and median (range) duration of iptacopan treatment was 24 months (6-36 months). Among patients who transitioned, 79% (11/14) achieved hemoglobin improvement, with a mean increase from 9.2±1.8 to 10.8±2.1 g/dL (P=.028). Overall, optimal response was achieved in 64% (9/14) of patients. Response rates varied significantly by disease subtype: 80% in patients with classic PNH vs 56% in patients with PNH and aplastic anemia, with particularly poor outcomes in patients with concurrent hematologic malignancies (0%). LDH levels improved in 86% of patients, decreasing from 400±152 to 310±95 U/L (P=.015). PNH clone sizes remained stable throughout transition (erythrocyte: 75.1%±9.2% vs 75.4%±9.4%, P=.62; granulocyte: 95.0%±3.9% versus 95.2%±4.0%, P=.45). Treatment was well tolerated with no serious adverse events, breakthrough hemolysis, thrombosis, or discontinuations required. Two patients experienced mild self-limited gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusions: This first multicenter real-world analysis demonstrates that the pegcetacoplan-to-iptacopan transition provides clinical benefit in the majority of this initial set of patients with PNH, with significant improvements in hemoglobin and an excellent safety profile while maintaining clone stability. The high acceptance rate suggests that patients prefer oral therapy over subcutaneous administration. These findings address a critical knowledge gap in proximal complement inhibitor sequencing, suggesting that iptacopan is an effective therapeutic option for patients with inadequate pegcetacoplan response and supporting the development of evidence-based treatment algorithms for optimal PNH care in the era of multiple complement inhibitor options.
Efficacy of Portable Fugitive Aerosol Mitigation Systems for Nebulizer Therapy During High-Flow Nasal Cannula and Non-Invasive Ventilation
Pandian, Adithya Shyamala , Patel, B. M. , Karam, Karam Abi , Lowell, Amelia , McKay, Kelly, Hota, Piyush , Pyznar, Gabriel , Batchelor, Sandra, Peworski, Charles, Rivas, David A., Sanghavi, Devang , Nguyen, Ngan Anh, Eltantawy, Aliaa, Li, Xueqi , Serhan, Michael , Forzani, Erica , Patel, Bhavesh M , Mora, Sabrina , Batchelor, Sandra, Peworski, Charles, Rivas, David, Xian, Xiaojun

Emergency Care and Medicine | July 29, 2025 | Volume: 2 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 36

10.3390/ecm2030036 Get It

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of existing and new aerosol mitigation methods during nebulization (Neb) in combination with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen supplementation and non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Methods: We recorded fugitive aerosol particle concentrations over time and assessed the peak (P) and area (A) efficacy of active and passive mitigation methods, comparing them to a no-mitigation condition. Peak efficacy was measured by the reduction in maximum aerosol concentration, while area efficacy was quantified by the reduction of the area under the aerosol concentration–time curve. Results: For HFNC with Neb, we found that active mitigation using a mask with a biofilter and a fan (referred to as the aerosol barrier mask) significantly outperformed passive mitigation with a face mask. The peak and area efficacy for aerosol reduction were 99.0% and 96.4% for active mitigation and 35.9% and 7.6% for passive mitigation, respectively. For NIV with Neb, the active mitigation method, using a box with a biofilter and fan, also outperformed passive mitigation using only the box. The peak and area efficacy for aerosol reduction were 92.1% and 85.5% for active mitigation and 53.7.0% and 25.4% for passive mitigation, respectively. Conclusion: We concluded that active mitigation set up systems advantageous for effective reduction of airborne aerosols during aerosol generated procedures.
Bridging global neurosurgical gaps: the potential role of medical students in Europe
Safa, Adrian , Zancanella, Chiara, Cossa, Carlo, Scalise, Matteo , Antonino, Jacopo Rosso , Espinar-Herranz, Katrina, Laguardia, Simone , Misurale, Carlotta Dell’Anna, Pavia, Lorenzo, Graca, Carina Ribeiro, Bora, Tevfik Serhan, Orbecchi, Ludovico, Sabangan, April, Quiñones‐Hinojosa, Alfredo , Cossa, Carlo

Neurosurgical Focus | March 1, 2025 | Volume: 58 | Issue: 3 | Pages: E12

10.3171/2024.12.focus24807 | PMID 40022754 Get It

OBJECTIVE Unmet global neurosurgical needs pose a significant challenge, as do unequal opportunities for neurosurgical education and training across the globe. Mission:BRAIN is a nonprofit organization working to provide neurosurgical expertise and resources to both patients and healthcare providers in underserved areas. It operates globally, with local chapters involving primarily medical students. Its presence in Europe has expanded in the last few years with initiatives that contribute to shaping an international approach to global neurosurgery challenges. The authors aim to investigate the impact of student-led organizations, such as Mission:BRAIN, on global neurosurgery, with a focus on low-income countries and low- to middle-income countries, while also assessing the changes observed within the European group during its initial 2 years. METHODS Quantitative and qualitative analyses were employed to investigate changes in the number of chapters, members, and events. The perceived impact was evaluated using a Likert scale survey administered to European members. RESULTS Between 2022 and 2023, the number of European chapters increased by 150% (n = 10) and memberships doubled. Of the 102 survey respondents, 56.9% were female and 42.2% were male. Similarly, the number of events grew by 240%, with a significant increase in educational events (325%, p = 0.007). Participation in events increased by 10.13%, reflecting growing interest and engagement. For most members (72.6%), the activities in the European region have increased global awareness of the importance of neurosurgical care in underserved areas; for 45.1% of them, outreach events have effectively communicated the importance of neurosurgical care to nonmedical audiences. For 67.6% of the members, European chapters have contributed to fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among medical students and healthcare providers. Furthermore, 59% agreed that Mission:BRAIN initiatives have contributed to addressing disparities in neurosurgical care and education. CONCLUSIONS Mission:BRAIN’s growth in Europe showcases the pivotal role of medical students. The impact of the organization’s activities demonstrates the students’ potential to contribute to the overarching effort of bridging worldwide gaps in healthcare and education and calls for their active participation and recognition.
Smart Driving Technology for Non-Invasive Detection of Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Serhan, Peter , Victor, Shaun , Pérez, Óscar Osorio , Karam, Kevin Abi , Elghoul, Anthony Ziad, Ransdell, Madison , Al-Hindawi, Firas , Geda, Yonas E. , Chahal, Geetika, Eagan, Danielle E., Tsow, Francis , Forzani, Erica , Abi Karam, Kevin, Elghoul, Anthony, Geda, Yonas E , Perez, Oscar Osorio, Wu, Teresa

Sensors | December 18, 2024 | Volume: 24 | Issue: 24 | Pages: 8062

10.3390/s24248062 | PMID 39771798 Get It

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s Related Dementias (ADRD) are projected to affect 50 million people globally in the coming decades. Clinical research suggests that Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a precursor to dementia, offers a critical window of opportunity for lifestyle interventions to delay or prevent the progression of AD/ADRD. Previous research indicates that lifestyle changes, including increased physical exercise, reduced caloric intake, and mentally stimulating activities, can reduce the risk of MCI. Early detection of MCI is challenging due to subtle and often unnoticed cognitive decline and is traditionally monitored through infrequent clinical tests. In this research, the Smart Driving System, a novel, unobtrusive, and economical technology to detect early stages of neurodegenerative diseases, is presented. The system comprises a multi-modal biosensing array (MMS) and AI algorithms, including driving performance and driver’s biometrics, offering insights into a driver’s cognitive function. This publication is the first work reported towards the ultimate goal of developing the Smart Driving Device and App, integrating it into vehicles, and validating its effectiveness in detecting MCI through comprehensive pilot studies.
Virtual Reality as a Therapeutic Tool in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Evaluation and Systematic Review
Scalise, Matteo , Bora, Tevfik Serhan, Zancanella, Chiara, Safa, Adrian , Cannizzaro, Delia , Cannizzaro, Delia , Stefini, Roberto

Journal of Clinical Medicine | September 13, 2024 | Volume: 13 | Issue: 18 | Pages: 5429

10.3390/jcm13185429 | PMID 39336916 Get It

Introduction: The spinal rehabilitation process plays a crucial role in SCI patients’ lives, and recent developments in VR have the potential to efficiently engage SCI patients in therapeutic activities and promote neuroplasticity. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess a complete review of the extended impacts of VR-assisted training on spine rehabilitation in SCI patients. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) through a single database search in PubMed/Medline between the dates 1 January 2010 and 1 February 2024. MESH terms and keywords were combined in the following search strategy: (Augmented Reality OR VR OR Virtual Reality) AND (Spine OR Spinal) AND Rehabilitation. Included articles were written in English, involved adults with SCI, included an intervention with VR, AR, or any mixed reality system, and assessed changes in outcomes after the intervention. Results: The search produced 257 articles, and 46 of them were allocated for data extraction to evaluate 652 patients. Both when VR training was analyzed and reviewed separately, and when compared to traditional training, the findings exhibited predominantly promising outcomes, reflecting a favorable trend in the study. VR technologies were used in different settings and customizations, and the medium total time of VR training among the studies was 60.46 h per patient. Conclusions: This auspicious outcome of the study further motivates the intervention of VR and AR in the rehabilitation of SCI patients along with ameliorating their overall holistic well-being.