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Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) confers a substantially elevated risk of cardiovascular (CV) mortality, primarily driven by heart failure (HF) and other CV complications. This study aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting incident HF and all-cause death in patients with CKD, and further identify individuals at high risk of these outcomes. Methods We prospectively recruited 440 patients with CKD stages 3–5 and preserved ejection fraction (LVEF) from a nephropathy center between November 2020 to September 2024. Baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, biochemical and echocardiographic parameters, and data from quality-of-life scales were collected. Key predictors were identified using univariate Cox regression, Lasso, Random Forest, and XGBoost algorithms; these identified predictors were then integrated into a nomogram via multivariate Cox regression. Model performance was assessed using the C-index, ROC analysis, and calibration plots. Results Over 29 months (IQR 24–35), 104(23.6%) patients met the primary composite endpoints, which included 62(14.1%) incident HF and 42(9.5%) all-cause death. After selecting variables through forward stepwise regression, age[HR 1.030, P = 0.016], growth differentiation factor 15(GDF-15) [HR 1.076, P < 0.001], lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] [HR = 1.011, P = 0.002], ferritin(FER) [HR = 1.009, P = 0.030], and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) score [HR 0.099, P = 0.015] were utilized to construct the nomogram. In the training cohort, the model achieved a C-index of 0.772. For temporal validation, time-dependent area under the ROC curve(AUC) values further confirmed its accuracy: 0.779 (95%CI, 0.696–0.863) at 24 months, 0.816(95%CI, 0.743–0.888) at 27 months, 0.836(95%CI, 0.768–0.903) at 32 months, and 0.850(95%CI, 0.771–0.929) at 36 months. Decision curve analysis (DCA) also demonstrated sustained clinical utility across a broad range of threshold probabilities. Conclusion This study identified specific predictors of HF and all-cause mortality in CKD patients. This model has enhanced predictive ability for early identification of these risks, thereby facilitating timely clinical interventions to improve the prognosis of CKD patients.

Background Recent studies have disputed the association between bisphenol A (BPA) and endometriosis. This updated meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of BPA exposure on endometriosis. Methods This study evaluated BPA exposure and endometriosis risk, analyzing studies from Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases (CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, VIP) through August 2025. Methodological quality was assessed via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Tool (AHRQ). Heterogeneity was quantified using I 2 statistics. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models according to heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias assessment were supplemented to validate the overall finding. Results Seven studies comprising 2,488 participants were included in quantitative synthesis. The meta-analyses demonstrated that BPA exposure was associated with a statistically significant increase in endometriosis risk (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.13–1.63, p = 0.008). Additionally, subgroup analysis indicated that BPA exposure may further elevate endometriosis risk in cases with different regions, populations, and measurement methods. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that the results of these meta-analyses were relatively robust. No publication bias was detected. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251019552 , identifier PROSPERO (CRD420251019552).

ABSTRACT Background Platelet factor 4‐polyanion enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are considered highly sensitive for diagnosing heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), such that current practice guidelines recommend use of ELISA‐negative results to exclude HIT. Once HIT is ruled out, alternative, non‐heparin‐based anticoagulant treatments are ceased, and heparin reintroduction frequently occurs. Methods Antigen‐based and PF4‐dependent functional testing were used to study PF4/polyvinylsulfonate ELISA‐negative platelet‐activating antibodies in HIT‐suspected patients. Results Three patients with clinical presentations consistent with HIT tested negative in an ELISA using PF4‐polyvinylsulfonate (PF4/PVS), an antigenic target very commonly used for HIT antibody screening. All three patients demonstrated PF4‐dependent platelet activation in functional testing that was sensitive to blockade of platelet FcγRIIa receptors and inhibited by high concentrations of heparin, consistent with pathogenic HIT antibodies. Functional testing‐based screening of 500 ELISA‐negative patients identified three additional patients whose sera activated platelets in a PF4‐ and FcγRIIa‐dependent manner and had clinical histories consistent with HIT. Five of the six ELISA‐negative HIT patients were re‐exposed to heparin, which precipitated a decrease in platelet counts in all re‐exposed patients, and one patient developed a new thrombus. Conclusions Recognition of ELISA‐negative HIT is critical to avoid harm due to the cessation of alternative anticoagulation therapy and re‐exposure of these patients to heparin.

Importance Seizure-induced brain injury is central to the treatment urgency of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). Identifying biomarkers that reflect ongoing neuronal damage could inform therapeutic timing and improve outcomes. Objective To quantify acute brain injury in patients with cryptogenic NORSE (cNORSE), etiology-defined status epilepticus (eSE), and chronic epilepsy. Design, Setting, and Participants This was an international cross-sectional study conducted between 2013 and 2025. Patients were enrolled at 36 hospitals in the US, 2 in Canada, and 1 in Italy, France, and Belgium. Patients with cNORSE and eSE for which biological samples were obtained during ongoing seizure activity were enrolled in the study. Comparison groups without status epilepticus comprised individuals with chronic epilepsy and healthy participants. None were excluded. Exposures Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and S100-beta (S100B) protein concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Main Outcomes and Measures Degree of neuronal and glial damage, indexed by NfL and S100B levels, and their association with short-term functional outcomes. Results A total of 78 patients with cNORSE (mean [95% CI] age, 37 [30-41] years; 44 female [56%]) and 2 independent cohorts of 211 patients (mean [95% CI] age, 69 [66-71] years; 128 female [61%]) and 73 patients (mean [95% CI] age, 56 [45-65] years; 39 male [53%]) with eSE were included. NfL concentrations were markedly elevated in cNORSE—approximately 10-fold higher in CSF and 4-fold higher in serum—compared with the eSE cohorts (CSF: median [IQR], 6408 [1503-22 963] pg/mL compared with 694 [219-2389] pg/mL; serum: median [IQR], 231 [99-855] pg/mL compared with 55 [20-135] pg/mL; P <.001). Serum NfL levels were nearly 20-fold higher in cNORSE than in the cohort with epilepsy and in healthy controls (median [IQR], 11 [7-19 ] and 7 [5-14 ] pg/mL, respectively). Serum and CSF NfL levels were strongly correlated (Spearman ρ = 0.75; P < .001) and rose sharply between week 1 (median [IQR], 101 [51-137] pg/mL), week 2 (median [IQR], 197 [117-324] pg/mL), and week 3 (median [IQR], 598 [163-1000] pg/mL) after onset ( P < .001). In contrast, S100B concentrations did not differ between groups and showed no consistent temporal pattern. NfL discriminated cNORSE from eSE (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.68-0.90) and from cohorts without status epilepticus (AUROC, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.78-1.00). Higher serum NfL was independently associated with poor functional outcome at discharge (Glasgow Outcome Scale extended score, 1-4; odds ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that acute neuroaxonal injury, as reflected by elevated NfL levels, was substantially greater in cNORSE than in the cohorts with eSE and in controls without status epilepticus. The rapid early rise in NfL highlights a narrow therapeutic window, emphasizing the need for prompt, effective, and potentially neuroprotective interventions in cNORSE.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an effective treatment for hematologic malignancies. However, it is limited by high costs, risk of severe toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, and heterogeneous patient responses. The current therapy monitoring depends largely on subjective symptom assessment, routine laboratory tests, and basic vital signs, without real-time, quantitative evaluation of CAR T-cell expansion or activation in clinical practice. This lack of timely immune monitoring hampers individualized care and contributes to increased treatment costs. To address this need, we present a proof-of-concept, label-free rapid optical imaging (ROI) biosensor with automated machine learning analysis for direct quantification of CAR T-cells from whole blood. This microfluidic platform integrates red blood cell (RBC) removal, CAR T-cell capture, and imaging-based quantification on a single chip, eliminating the need for centrifugation, staining, and operator-dependent interpretation. For validation, 50 μL whole blood samples spiked with Jurkat cells expressing CD19 CARs underwent RBC depletion by agglutination and microfiltration. The remaining blood components were then incubated on a sensor chip functionalized with recombinant CD19 protein. Captured CAR T-cells were imaged by brightfield microscopy and automatically enumerated using a machine learning algorithm trained on fluorescence-validated cells. The CD-19 cells’ capture performance was validated by flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging. The trained machine learning model validated at 88% sensitivity and 96% specificity. Buffer and whole blood calibration curves were established across clinically relevant concentrations (1–1000 cells/µL) with triple replicates. The results showed high correlation (0.975 and 0.990 R2) between the spiked concentration and the detected CAR T-cells, with a 95% certainty limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.6 and 1.1 cells/µL for spiked buffer, and 14 and 67 cells/µL for spiked whole-blood, respectively.

Abstract The hallmark of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against platelet factor 4/heparin (PF4/H) complexes, typically detected by PF4/H enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); thus, negative ELISA results are commonly used to exclude this diagnosis. Here, we report a prevalent yet previously unrecognized subset of antibodies that are undetectable by PF4/H ELISA (ELISA−) but activate platelets in the PF4-dependent P-selectin expression assay (PEA+). In 11 patients with clinically confirmed HIT who tested positive in both PF4/H ELISA and platelet activation assays, ELISA−PEA+ antibodies accounted for 65% ± 19% of total platelet-activating IgG activity and coexisted with ELISA+PEA+ antibodies. Consistent with this finding, single-cell cloning from 7 patients with HIT identified 23 PEA+ antibody-producing B-cell clones, of which 17 were ELISA−, outnumbering the ELISA+ clones. Functionally, ELISA−PEA+ antibodies closely resembled ELISA+PEA+ antibodies: platelet binding and activation required exogenous PF4 and were inhibited by FcγRIIA blockade, high-dose heparin, or Fab fragments made from ELISA+PEA+ antibodies. Importantly, these antibodies induced thrombocytopenia in a humanized mouse model of HIT. Despite lacking PF4/H reactivity in ELISAs, they recognize PF4 on platelets and showed no appreciable binding to neutrophil-activating peptide-2, interleukin-8, or PF4 alone. Structurally, these antibodies were heterogeneous, with a subset sharing heavy-chain features with ELISA+PEA+ antibodies. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that ELISA−PEA+ antibodies are a common, previously unrecognized feature of HIT, with functional relevance, supporting the possibility that they play an important, perhaps even central, role in HIT pathogenesis. Defining their prevalence, kinetics, and clinical impact deserves high priority for further investigation.

Abstract Background: DS-8201a is a HER2-targeting antibody drug conjugate with a topoisomerase 1 (topo1) inhibitor payload. Preclinical evidence suggests that inhibiting PARP can potentiate topo1 inhibitor-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity. However, the clinical activity of combined topo1-inhibiting chemotherapy and PARP inhibition has been limited by toxicity. We hypothesized that targeted delivery of a topo1 inhibitor via DS-8201a may reduce systemic toxicity, while maintaining synergistic cytotoxic activity in combination with olaparib (PARPi). DS-8201a + olaparib was evaluated in the ongoing CTEP #10355 trial (NCT04585958). Results from Dose Escalation are presented. Methods: Accrual was limited to pts ≥18 years old with advanced or recurrent solid tumors expressing HER2, defined as HER2 IHC ≥1+ or ERBB2 amplification by NGS or ISH (local testing allowed). DS-8201a was given Q3W across all dose escalation regimens. Olaparib dosing in continuous (Module 1 D1-21) and intermittent schedules (Module 2 D8-14; Module 3 D3-9) were explored. A 3+3 dose escalation design was followed in Mod 1 & 2 and up to 6 pts in a safety cohort were planned for Mod 3. Primary endpoints included safety as graded by CTCAE v5 and determination of an RP2D. Results: As of Oct 26, 2025, 30 pts were enrolled and 28 pts were treated. 12 pts had uterine and 16 pts had ovarian cancer; mean age was 61.6 years, median number of prior therapies was 4 (range 1-10). HER2 expression by local testing was: 4 pts IHC 1+, 17 pts IHC 2+, 6 pts IHC 3+, 1 pt ERBB2 amplification (IHC not reported). 9/10 pts enrolled in Mod 1 (continuous olaparib) were DLT-evaluable: 1/7 pts at DL1 (DS-8201a 4.4mg/kg IV Q3W + olaparib 100mg BID D1-21) and 3/3 pts at DL2 (DS-8201a 5.4mg/kg IV Q3W + olaparib 100mg BID D1-21) experienced DLTs (G4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, WBC decrease, colitis), halting further Mod 1 enrollment. 12/16 pts enrolled to Mod 2 (intermittent olaparib) were DLT-evaluable and only 1 pt at the highest dose level (DL3, DS-8201a 5.4mg/kg IV Q3W + olaparib 300mg BID D8-14) experienced a DLT (G3 colitis). Hematologic TRAEs were markedly attenuated in Mod 2 compared to Mod 1: 12% vs 30% G3 and 19% vs 50% G4 neutropenia; 25% vs 70% G3 anemia; 6% vs 20% G3 and 0% vs 20% G4 thrombocytopenia. 2/2 DLT-evaluable pts in Mod 3 (intermittent olaparib; DS-8201a 5.4mg/kg IV Q3W + olaparib 300mg BID D3-9) experienced DLTs (G3 diarrhea, G3 nausea & vomiting, G4 neutropenia), halting further Mod 3 enrollment. The Mod 2 DL3 regimen of DS-8201a 5.4mg/kg IV Q3W + olaparib 300mg BID D8-14 was declared the RP2D and is under further investigation in an ongoing Dose Expansion cohort enrolling HER2 IHC 1+ platinum resistant ovarian cancer. Objective responses were observed across all modules and dose levels. Conclusions: In pts with HER2-expressing advanced solid tumors, DS-8201a in combination with intermittently-dosed olaparib was tolerable. DS-8201a 5.4mg/kg IV Q3W + olaparib 300mg BID D8-14 was selected as the RP2D for further evaluation in Dose Expansion. Additional endpoints of clinical activity will be presented. Citation Format: Elizabeth K. Lee, Andrea Wahner Hendrickson, Gerardo Colon-Otero, Cheryl A. Pickett, Yinglu Zhou, Su-Chun Cheng, Madeline Polak, Hannah Sawyer, Martin Hayes, Ursula A. Matulonis, Geoffrey I. Shapiro, Panagiotis A. Konstantinopoulos. CTEP #10355 A phase 1 trial of DS-8201a and olaparib in HER2-expressing malignancies: Results from dose escalation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(8_Suppl):Abstract nr CT035.

Abstract Purpose Spatial distribution of coronary artery calcium (CAC) may provide additional prognostic value in patients undergoing SPECT and PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). We aimed to automatically identify CAC in proximal segments from attenuation correction CT (CTAC) scans using artificial intelligence (AI) and to evaluate prognostic significance in two large international multicenter registries. Methods From hybrid MPI/CT imaging (N=43,099) across 15 sites, we included 4,552 most relevant patients with 1) no prior coronary artery disease; 2) AI-derived mild CAC scores (1-99); and 3) normal perfusion (stress total perfusion deficit <5%). The independent associations between AI-identified proximal CAC and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality (ACM) were evaluated using multivariable Cox regression, likelihood ratio test (LRT), and continuous net reclassification index (NRI). Results Among the patients with mild CAC and normal perfusion (mean age 65±12 years, 51% male), 1,730 (38%) had proximal CAC. Over 3.6 (inter-quartile interval 2.1, 5.2) years follow-up, 599 (13%) and 444 (10%) patients had MACE or ACM, respectively. Proximal CAC was associated with an increased risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.24, 95% CI 1.03–1.48, P=0.02) and ACM (adjusted HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01–1.53, P=0.04) after the adjustment of CAC score and density, clinical risk factors, and perfusion deficit. Proximal CAC improved the risk stratification of MACE (LRT P=0.02; NRI 12%) and ACM (LRT P=0.04; NRI 12%). Conclusion In patients with mild CAC and normal perfusion, AI detection of proximal CAC identified a higher-risk group for adverse outcomes, highlighting its prognostic utility. Graphical Abstract From patients who underwent hybrid myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) from 15 sites, we analyzed those without prior coronary artery disease (CAD), mild coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores (1-99), and normal perfusion (stress total perfusion deficit <5%). A previously developed AI model was used to identify CAC lesions in proximal coronary segments on CT attenuation correction maps (CTAC). We evaluated associations with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality (ACM), showing risk stratification of proximal CAC and improvement by net reclassification index (NRI). CAC lesion color: green, left anterior descending artery (LAD) with left main artery; red, left circumflex artery (LCX); yellow, right coronary artery (RCA). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) are shown with 95% confidence intervals.

ABSTRACT Background Visceral myopathy (VSCM) is an ultra‐rare life‐threatening condition characterized by severe impairment of gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary, and uterine smooth muscle. This disorder represents a significant clinical challenge due to variable presentation and the lack of standardized diagnostic and therapeutic protocols. Methods To discuss advances in the field, scientists and clinicians with a special interest in VSCM met in Arenzano, Genova, Italy in October 2024 for the second International Forum on Visceral Myopathy 2024 (IFVM2024) ( https://ifvm2024.ge.ibf.cnr.it/ ). Key Results As in the previous edition of the event ( https://poic‐e‐dintorni.org/efvm‐2022/ ), attendees included clinicians and researchers from around the world who study this disease, representatives from support organizations, patients affected by VSCM and their families, and companies that co‐funded the event. The present manuscript aims to summarize knowledge shared during the IFVM2024 conference, thus providing an updated state‐of‐the‐art summary of VSCM biology and disease management. Conclusions Here, we pay particular attention to the epidemiology of the disease, histopathology, genetics, novel treatments, advances in molecular and cell biology, experimental models, and the lived experiences and impact of this disorder on families.

Abstract Background Recently, a posterior pathway for fluid drainage from the retina to the meningeal lymphatics in the optic nerve (ON) sheath was identified in rodents using intravitreal imaging tracers directly injected into the ocular-globe. Fluid and solute clearance along this pathway may be associated with many diseases. However, intravitreal tracers are rarely used in clinical imaging. As intravenous Gadolinium-based-contrast-agent (GBCA) can enter the globe via the blood-ocular-barriers, it may provide an alternative approach to image this pathway. Purpose To establish a clinically feasible intravenous GBCA-based MRI approach for tracking fluid and solute transport along the posterior lymphatic pathway in the ocular glymphatic system. Materials&Methods This prospective study was conducted from March 2021 to September 2022 in healthy participants. Dynamic-susceptibility-contrast-in-the-CSF (cDSC) MRI was performed before, immediately and 4 hours after intravenous-GBCA administration to track GBCA distribution in aqueous humor (AH) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in regions-of-interest (ROIs) in the globe (anterior-cavity, vitreous-body), in the intraorbital and extraorbital ON, and in the intracranial CSF space proximal to the ON (chiasmatic-cistern, interpeduncular-cistern). Kruskal–Wallis tests with post-hoc Dunn’s tests were used for group comparisons. Results Sixteen healthy participants (mean age±SD: 51±21 years, 5 men) were recruited. Intravenous-GBCA enhancement was observed in all ROIs immediately after injection. At 4-hour-post-GBCA, the vitreous body showed a trend of smaller enhancement area (55±11% versus 49±11%, P =.14) and lower GBCA-concentration (0.044±0.014 versus 0.028±0.010 mmol/L, P =.07) compared to immediate-post-GBCA. The intraorbital ON showed more widespread enhancement (39±5% versus 59±6%, P =.01) and significantly higher GBCA-concentration (0.023±0.009 versus 0.059±0.015 mmol/L, P <.001) at 4-hour-post-GBCA. Conclusion Dynamic fluid and solute transportation along the posterior lymphatic pathway in the ocular glymphatic system in healthy participants was measured by tracking intravenous-GBCAs entering the globe via the blood-ocular-barriers using cDSC-MRI. Summary Statement Dynamic fluid and solute transportation along the posterior lymphatic pathway in the ocular glymphatic system in healthy participants was measured by tracking intravenous-Gadolinium-based-contrast-agents entering ocular-globe via blood-ocular-barriers using dynamic-susceptibility-contrast-in-the-CSF (cDSC)-MRI. Key Results In this prospective study of sixteen participants, Gadolinium-based-contrast-agent (GBCA)-induced signal changes were detected in the aqueous-humor and cerebrospinal fluid immediately following intravenous administration using dynamic-susceptibility-contrast-in-the-CSF (cDSC)-MRI. At 4-hour-post-GBCA, the vitreous-body showed a trend of smaller enhancement area (55±11% versus 49±11%, P =.14) and lower GBCA-concentration (0.044±0.014 versus 0.028±0.010 mmol/L, P =.07) compared to immediate-post-GBCA. The intraorbital-optic-nerve showed more widespread enhancement (39±5% versus 59±6%, P =.01) and higher GBCA-concentration (0.023±0.009 versus 0.059±0.015 mmol/L, P <.001) at 4-hour-post-GBCA.