Citations

Objectives/Goals: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) manifests with an inflammatory milieu that leads to fibrotic scarring of the liver. Human PSC liver bile ducts are enriched with neutrophils; however, their infiltration and functional role is unexplored. Our goal is to investigate the mechanism and impact of peribiliary neutrophil infiltration observed in PSC. Methods/Study Population: Primary cholangiocytes (bile duct cells) isolated from WT and mouse models of PSC (3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC)-fed mice and Mdr2-/- mice) were analyzed by RNA-sequencing. Immunofluorescence (IF) was performed on liver tissues from PSC patients and mouse models of PSC for markers of bile ducts and neutrophils (KRT19 and MPO). Intrahepatic leukocytes (IHL) isolated from mice livers were evaluated for neutrophil abundance and activation state. Anti-Ly6G antibody-mediated neutrophil depletion in Mdr2-/- mice was analyzed by IF, histology, and cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF). Cholangiocytes stimulated with TNFα (to induce an inflammatory phenotype) were analyzed for neutrophil chemoattractants with genetic and pharmacological interventions. Results/Anticipated Results: RNA-seq analysis of primary cholangiocytes from PSC mouse models revealed enrichment in inflammatory and neutrophil degranulation pathways. Flow cytometry and RT-PCR analysis revealed an increase in the neutrophil population in PSC mice with activated phenotype. Peripheral depletion of neutrophils in Mdr2-/- mice alleviated liver injury and inflammation, along with a reduction in peribiliary neutrophil infiltration and attenuated bridging fibrosis. CyTOF analysis showed a significant reduction in CD8+ T cells upon neutrophil depletion, implying neutrophils sustain CD8+ T cells in PSC liver. Mechanistically in cholangiocytes, TNFα mediates expression of neutrophil chemoattractants, CXCL1 and CXCL8, through the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Our findings suggest that activation of the STING pathway in cholangiocytes in cholestatic liver disease triggers an immune response resulting in peri-portal neutrophil infiltration via CXC chemokines. The sustained presence of these activated neutrophils engages the adaptive immune system to perpetuate the inflammation and fibrosis seen in PSC.

Objectives/Goals: In January 2023, Mayo Clinic set a goal to have 10% of studies open for six months or more without accrual. At that time, Mayo Clinic Florida had 19% non-accruing studies and 18% non-accruing clinical trials. Research administration implemented strategies to improve accrual outcomes. Methods/Study Population: Two strategies were developed to address non-accruing trials: a clean-up approach and a proactive approach. The clean-up approach involves escalating studies that haven’t been enrolled in over 6 months, identifying barriers, and escalating communication with the principal investigator (PI) and research administration alongside a physician partner. The proactive approach targets studies at the 3-month mark to address issues before reaching 6 months without accrual. Both strategies aim to reduce the cost and effort of non-accruing studies by either creating an enrollment plan or closing the study. Results/Anticipated Results: Since implementation, Mayo Clinic Florida’s non-accruing study portfolio decreased by 10%, and its clinical trials non-accruing portfolio decreased by 7% as of October 2024. Research Administration tracks key metrics (reasons for no enrollment, justifications, and actions) to identify trends and mitigate future accrual risks. A REDCap electronic data capture tool hosted at Mayo Clinic (supported by CCaTS grant UL1TR002377)1 notifies principal investigators when their studies are non-accruing. Future plans include establishing an API with Mayo Clinic’s portfolio management system to streamline the process while maintaining awareness and collaboration. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Through increased monitoring, enhanced communication, and deeper collaboration, Mayo Clinic Florida effectively reduced non-accruing studies in its research portfolio. This approach minimizes effort and costs associated with under-enrolled studies while tracking key metrics to inform future study development.

Objectives/Goals: The operation of a clinical trials unit involves multifaceted tasks and stakeholders. A competent information system is critical to daily operations while ensuring smooth conduct of clinical research. We share 15 years of experience in the design and implementation of such a system at Mayo Clinic to inform other institutions with similar interests. Methods/Study Population: The Informatics team collaborated closely with nurse leaders and elicited input from additional stakeholders including nurse unit coordinators, lab managers, schedulers, investigators, study coordinators, and regulatory specialists throughout the phases of system design, development and continuous enhancements, and expansion. The stakeholders offered insights on the corresponding requirements throughout the study life cycle, from engaging with the study sponsor, operational review for protocol execution, development of study budgets, human subject protection and risk mitigation, data management and integration, to outcome monitoring, and regulatory reporting. The activities were then translated into functional components and implemented as a seamless and effective solution. Results/Anticipated Results: Patient safety, scientific rigor, operation automation, efficiency, and regulatory requirements were all considered in developing an integrated system, or the clinical research trials unit (CRTU) Tools. Our institution has leveraged the system for essential tasks from the study start-up, visit scheduling and execution, specimen collection and tracking, to individual protocol metrics and billing. We adopted a measure-as-we-go methodology so that data such as visit census, resource usage, and protocol deviation are tracked and collected during routine use of the system. Specifically, an issues/concerns/exceptions (ICE) tool is used for quality control and patient safety. Moreover, data quality greatly benefits from a task dictionary, standardizing the study activities that can be ordered and executed. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The implementation of a well-rounded clinical trials unit information system not only improves the operation efficiency and team productivity but also ensures scientific rigor and contributes to patient safety. We believe the experience can be informative to other institutions. More details will be shared in the poster.

Objectives/Goals: Mayo Clinic’s Clinical Trials Beyond Walls™ (CTBW) program collaborates with study teams to implement decentralized elements in clinical trials, enabling participation from home or local settings. In cancer treatment trials, traditional paper pill diaries are replaced with real-time digital tracking solutions to monitor chemotherapy adherence. Methods/Study Population: The CTBW team developed a solution to deliver electronic pill diaries to research participants using the electronic health record (EHR) system Epic and patient portal MyChart1. The solution includes a portal message to remind participants to take chemotherapy. Medication dose, date taken, and reasons for missed doses (e.g., “I forgot” or “side effects were bothersome”) are captured. An automated in-basket notification system alerts the study team when predefined conditions are met. Configurable medication schedules ensure diaries are sent according to the prescribed frequency. Reports were generated to allow study teams to monitor all participant diaries. Results/Anticipated Results: The CTBW team implemented this digital pill diary in neuro-oncology trial NCT066250472. We anticipate the pill diary in the patient portal will enhance chemotherapy adherence by capturing real-time data in a platform widely used by Mayo Clinic patients. This patient-reported data is stored in the EHR, where it is accessible to providers and study teams. This allows for continuous monitoring, which facilitates a streamlined review of potential adverse events, improved compliance visibility, and timely treatment adjustments compared to paper-based or external solutions. The system also streamlines data entry, reducing human error and eliminating manual transcription. The created language and workflow templates allow the CTBW to scale this approach to future cancer trials Discussion/Significance of Impact: Decentralized clinical trial participants may never visit Mayo Clinic, making digital recording essential. The EHR-based digital pill diary enables continuous monitoring within a familiar system for providers and patients, increasing study team visibility, and allowing for earlier intervention in cases of non-compliance or adverse events.

Objectives/Goals: Digital recruitment can improve participant engagement in medical research, but its potential to introduce demographic and socioeconomic biases is unclear. This study investigates pathways participants took during a digital recruitment workflow in neurology, examining potential associations with socioeconomic and demographic factors. Methods/Study Population: As part of an ongoing study aiming to remotely capture speech from patients with neurologic disease, most participants seen in neurology on our campus are invited to complete a self-administered speech examination. We exported participant data from Epic (semi-automated identification and invitation), Qualtrics (eligibility screening), the participant tracking database (consent), and the recording platform (completion) for March to July 2024. Data visualization was performed using a Sankey diagram. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the housing-based socioeconomic status (HOUSES) index and area deprivation index (ADI) national rank. Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare the median age, socioeconomic indices, and time taken to reach different steps of the study. Results/Anticipated Results: Of the 5846 invited participants, 57% were from urban areas, 23% from rural areas, and 20% from urban clusters. Most did not read/respond (2739) or declined (1749) the initial invitation via Epic. Of the 1358 interested participants, 415 completed the study. Participants from urban areas completed enrollment steps faster than those from rural areas and urban clusters, though the variance was large (42.6 ± 41.4 days vs. 50.6 ± 42.2 days and 50 ± 43.9 days, respectively; p = 0.030). Female participants took longer to complete enrollment than males (48.7 ± 44 days vs. 40.5 ± 38.8 days; p = 0.026). Participants who successfully finished the study had significantly lower ADI national ranks compared to other common pathways (40.6 ± 19; p = 0.0021). No associations were found with the HOUSES indices. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Our findings support differences in participant engagement, with urban participants and males more likely to complete enrollment steps. Those who finished the study were less disadvantaged suggesting potential bias in digital recruitment. These findings can inform strategies to improve digital recruitment in neurology research.

BACKGROUND Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare and highly malignant tumors of neural crest origin. No matter their anatomical location, they are difficult to treat and carry a poor prognosis. OBSERVATIONS This report highlights the complexities of the diagnosis and management of a patient with MPNST of the cauda equina. The tumor retained the expression of H3K27me3, which is expected in spinal MPNSTs but uncommon in most sporadic and neurofibromatosis type 1–driven MPNSTs. LESSONS The described diagnostic nuance should be taken into consideration in patients with suspected MPNST of the cauda equina, as these tumors require swift neurosurgical intervention in order to maintain neurological function. Additional treatment modalities include neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although improvements in local control and progression-free survival have been reported, the role of radiation therapy and chemotherapy has been underinvestigated due to the rarity of MPNSTs presenting in this region. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24723

BACKGROUND Peripheral nerve injuries in the lower extremities impose significant functional and quality-of-life challenges. Loss of plantar flexion is a major deficit. Novel nerve transfers are being introduced to restore function. A novel nerve transfer—partial superficial peroneal to a gastrocnemius branch of the tibial nerve—aimed at restoring plantar flexion is presented in a patient with an incomplete proximal thigh-level sciatic nerve injury. OBSERVATIONS The case of a 27-year-old policeman with a right sciatic nerve injury from a gunshot wound sustained 11 months earlier, characterized by intact dorsiflexion and eversion but with complete loss of plantar flexion and inversion, is presented. The patient underwent a nerve transfer from the superficial peroneal nerve to the lateral gastrocnemius branch of the tibial nerve at 10 months postinjury. At the 2-year follow-up, the patient achieved M4 strength in plantar flexion while maintaining M5 strength in ankle eversion, dorsiflexion, and toe extension, with ongoing signs of reinnervation to the lateral gastrocnemius on electromyography. LESSONS Partial transfer of the superficial peroneal nerve to the lateral gastrocnemius branch of the tibial nerve offers a promising solution for restoring plantar flexion in partial sciatic nerve injuries affecting the tibial division. Tailored distal nerve transfers can enhance recovery, underscoring the importance of surgical innovation in treating complex peripheral nerve injuries. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24888

ACE2 protein binds heme, which we reasoned would promote heme entry into the kidney and, accordingly, heme protein-mediated acute kidney injury. Our findings support this hypothesis. This study is the first to demonstrate the biological relevance of ACE2-heme binding, uncover a new pathway of heme-dependent kidney injury, and identify myoglobin and heme as novel determinants of ACE2 expression. Our study explains why plasma levels of myoglobin and heme predict poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19.

ABSTRACTBackgroundDrug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DiHS), or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), is a delayed and severe immune response to certain medications. We investigated vancomycin‐induced DiHS/DRESS, notable for frequent and severe organ involvement, to describe its specific histopathology and the correlations between histopathologic and clinical findings.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted to identify patients between 2006 and 2022 who received vancomycin, had archived skin biopsy specimens, and were scored as having probable or definite DiHS/DRESS. Clinical features were retrospectively collected, and biopsy specimens were reviewed by a board‐certified dermatopathologist. A subset of histopathologic and clinical features was analyzed for statistical correlation.ResultsTwenty‐three patients met the inclusion criteria. Most biopsy specimens (87%) showed an eczematous reaction pattern; 17 (74%) showed a secondary reaction pattern. Spongiosis (87%) and neutrophilic infiltration (91%) were common epidermal characteristics. The dermal inflammatory infiltrate was frequently superficial (87%) and consistently included plasma cells (96%). Eosinophils were present in the dermis in 70% of cases. Parakeratosis negatively correlated with liver involvement and positively correlated with desquamative rash. Epidermal lymphocytes were negatively correlated with the RegiSCAR score.ConclusionsVancomycin‐associated DiHS/DRESS histopathology was characterized by a frequent eczematous reaction pattern, multiple coexisting reaction patterns, and epidermal neutrophilic infiltration.