Citations

Abstract Electrical stimulation is increasingly used to modulate brain networks for clinical purposes. The basic unit of neurostimulation, a single electrical pulse, can travel through white matter to influence connected neuronal populations. However, the mechanisms by which it influences connected populations is not well understood: stimulation may excite, inhibit, or add noise to neuronal population activity. In this study, we investigated how single pulses modulate the neuronal processing of images in a well-controlled visual paradigm. In two human subjects implanted with iEEG electrodes for clinical purposes, single pulses were delivered to electrodes in white matter tracts connected to measurement electrodes in visual cortex. Images appeared on-screen at 0, 100, or 200 ms after each pulse. Using finite impulse response modeling, we decomposed the broadband and evoked potential responses into separate components induced by electrical stimulation and by visual processing. Single pulses induced transient broadband increases followed by suppression, but they did not modulate the visual broadband responses (i.e., stimulation response was additive to visual response). In contrast, single pulses elicited prominent brain stimulation evoked potentials and they modulated the visual evoked potentials. Specifically, visual evoked potentials were larger when stimulation occurred closer to visual onset. This indicates that a single electrical pulse can increase the strength or synchrony of visual inputs. Overall, these findings suggest that the effects of electrical stimulation in the visual system are two-fold: stimulation induces additive effects on broadband power, possibly by adding noise, and it interacts with synchronous visual inputs to amplify them.

Abstract Background: Savo is an oral, potent and highly selective MET-TKI. In the Phase 2 SAVANNAH study (NCT03778229), savo + osi had a high rate of durable responses in pts with EGFRm advanced NSCLC and high MET OverExp and/or Amp levels. Early clearance of plasma EGFRm may predict outcomes. We report an exploratory analysis of plasma EGFRm clearance and its association with MET tissue biomarker status, ORR and PFS. Methods: Pts with EGFRm advanced NSCLC and MET OverExp and/or Amp with PD on 1L+ osi received savo 300 mg QD, 300 mg BID or 600 mg QD + osi 80 mg QD. MET OverExp/Amp was centrally confirmed (by IHC [Roche], 3+ intensity in ≥50% of tumor cells [MET IHC3+/≥50%]; by FISH [Abbott Molecular], MET gene copy number ≥5 or MET:CEP7 ratio ≥2 [FISH5+], or at higher thresholds of MET IHC3+/≥90% or FISH10+). Baseline (BL) and Wk 3 plasma EGFRm (Ex19del/L858R) were analyzed by ddPCR (Biodesix) as an estimate of tumor burden. MET Amp was not monitored in ctDNA due to low detection sensitivity. Clearance was defined as undetected EGFRm ctDNA at Wk 3, when detected at BL. PFS was investigator-assessed (RECIST 1.1). DCO: Aug 23, 2024. Results: Of 344 pts with evaluable BL ctDNA, 259 (75%) had detected EGFRm ctDNA. Of these, 225 had evaluable ctDNA at Wk 3 (82 [36%] had EGFRm clearance at Wk 3). Confirmed ORR was higher in pts with EGFRm Wk 3 clearance (56/82; 68%) vs non-clearance (38/143; 27%). PFS was longer in pts with vs without EGFRm clearance at Wk 3 (Table). Across all pts evaluable for ctDNA at Wk 3, clearance rates were higher in pts with vs without high MET (69/162 [43%] vs 13/63 [21%]; odds ratio [95% CI] 0.35 [0.16, 0.72]). Similar results were seen in the savo 300 mg QD + osi subgroup. Conclusions: In SAVANNAH, among pts with detected EGFRm ctDNA at BL, clearance at Wk 3 was associated with improved ORR and PFS. Plasma EGFRm clearance at Wk 3 is enriched in pts with MET IHC3+/≥90% or FISH10+ status, consistent with improved efficacy in this biomarker subgroup. Citation Format: Jonathan W. Riess, Filippo de Marinis, Benjamin Levy, Tae Min Kim, Laura Bonanno, Quincy Chu, Marcello Tiseo, Adrian Sacher, Silvia Novello, Christina Baik, Lyudmila Bazhenova, Jacques Cadranel, Giulio Metro, Cheng-Ta Yang, Tsung-Ying Yang, Gee-Chen Chang, Konstantinos Leventakos, Lorenzo Livi, James Chih-Hsin Yang, Lecia V. Sequist, John Argue, Wanning Xu, Aleksandra Markovets, Ryan Hartmaier, Myung-Ju Ahn. SAVANNAH: Clearance of plasma EGFRm in patients with EGFRm MET-overexpressed (OverExp) and/or -amplified (Amp) NSCLC post-osimertinib (osi) treated with savolitinib (savo) + osi [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_2):Abstract nr LB416.

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.

ABSTRACT Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and its formation and release, known as NETosis, may play a role in the initiation of thrombin generation (TG) in trauma. The objective of this study was to assess whether trauma patients, who develop symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE), have increased levels of plasma citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) and accelerated TG kinetics. Methods: Patients presenting to a level I trauma center as trauma activations had samples collected within 12 h of time of injury, alongside healthy volunteers (HV). CitH3 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and TG data were measured using a TG analyzer, comparing results between patients developing symptomatic VTE versus those who did not, within 90 days of injury. Data were expressed as median and quartiles (Q1, Q3), and tested using Wilcoxon rank-sum or Fisher’s exact test, or 1-sample test of Spearman’s correlation, P < 0.05 considered significant. Results: 39 trauma patient samples were analyzed (10 with and 29 without VTE), and compared to 15 HV samples. CitH3 levels in patients who developed VTE were significantly greater as compared to those who did not (12.8 ng/mL [7.1, 30.8]; 3.0 ng/mL [1.8,6.8], P = 0.024), with levels in both groups greater compared to HV (1.2 [0.3, 4.1], P = 0.003, P = 0.012), respectively. TG profiles were accelerated in patients developing VTE, with differences in peak height (337.6 nM [304.4, 356.0]; 231.8 nM [180.2, 281.8], P = 0.008), endogenous thrombin potential (1718.5 nM*min [1,500, 1794]; 1208.5 nM*min [1,072, 1,417], P = 0.003) and velocity index (213.2 nM/min [162.3, 260.5]; 124.3 nM/min [93.2, 223.1], P = 0.03), respectively. Conclusion: Trauma patients developing VTE exhibit increased NETosis, measured by increased CitH3 levels and accelerated TG early after injury, outlining an area for further understanding VTE after trauma.

Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is common after injury and reliable quantification of its severity is lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether thrombin generation would be significantly altered if whole blood samples from trauma patients were collected without (citrate-only) and with corn trypsin inhibitor (CTI+). In a prospective cohort study, 36 trauma pts presenting to a Level I Trauma Center within 12 hours of injury, had whole blood collected simultaneously in citrate-only (3.2%) and citrated plus CTI (CTI+ [final 25 ug/mL]), and processed to platelet free plasma by double centrifugation (3000g, 15 minutes). Samples were stored at -80C with no thawing until analysis. Thrombin generation profiles were measured using the ST Genesia assay (Diagnostica STAGO SAS) and parameters included endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), lag time (LT), peak height, start of tail, velocity index, and time to peak (ttPeak) were analyzed for trauma pts. Data presented as median [IQR] or n (%), with paired t-test and Spearman's correlation analysis were performed between citrated non-CTI and citrated CTI spiked blood samples, with p-value &lt;0.05 statistically significant. Pts presented with significant injury ISS 13 [5, 21], age 45 [29, 59] years, 80.6% male, BMI 26.9 [25.4, 28.3], 94.4% blunt trauma, 22.3% had surgery by day 1 of admission. Significant differences were found between the citrated-only and CTI +tubes in several thrombin generation parameters: ETP (1339 Nm*min [1172.5,1417], 1124.5 [925.4,1285], p&lt;0.001), peak height (222.3 Nm [186.0, 275.6], 160.6 [132.7,208.3], p&lt;0.001), ttPeak (5.64 min [4.86,6.63], 6.19 [5.36, 7.34], p&lt;0.001), start of tail (19.4 min [17.6,21.3], 21.6 [18.9, 23.6], p=0.014), and velocity index (117.6 Nm/min [77.9, 163.1], 71.9 [54.9,106.0], p&lt;0.001). However, LT (3.14 min [2.74, 3.90], 3.08 [2.84, 3.96], p=0.665) did not show a statistically significant difference. Spearman's correlation analysis showed high correlation between citrate-only and CTI+ citrated plasma samples, with Spearman's rank correlation coefficients for LT (0.941), peak height (0.760), ttPeak (0.928), ETP (0.770), start of tail (0.869), and velocity index (0.766) respectively. The results suggest that use of CTI+ decrease thrombin generation kinetics from blood samples obtained from trauma patients. These findings underscore the need for careful consideration of sample collection and processing for use of thrombin generation assays in clinical setting. However, there is very strong correlation of the thrombin parameters obtained from citrated-only plasma to CTI+ plasma samples, suggesting they capture similar information. CTI-spiked citrated tubes appear to reduce contact activation with respect to thrombin generation profiles compared to standard citrated only tubes. This should be a consideration for platform-based lab processing of thrombin generation assays for assessment of coagulopathy after injury; however, given the cost of CTI, citrated-only tubes can be an option for characterization of thrombin generation profile in clinical samples.

AbstractMacitentan is a dual endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) approved for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). SOPRANO evaluated the efficacy and safety of macitentan versus placebo in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. SOPRANO was a phase 2, multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study. Patients with an LVAD implanted within the prior 90 days who had persistent PH (i.e., mean pulmonary arterial pressure ≥25 mmHg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure [PAWP] ≤18 mmHg, and pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR] >3 Wood units [WU]) were randomized (1:1) to macitentan 10 mg or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in PVR. Secondary endpoints included change in right‐heart catheterization hemodynamic variables, N‐terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide levels, World Health Organization functional class, and safety/tolerability. Fifty‐seven patients were randomized to macitentan (n = 28) or placebo (n = 29). A statistically significant reduction in PVR from baseline to Week 12 was observed with macitentan versus placebo (placebo‐corrected geometric mean ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.94; p = .0158). No statistically significant differences were observed in secondary endpoints. In a post‐hoc analysis, 66.7% of patients receiving macitentan achieved PVR <3 WU versus 40.0% receiving placebo (p = .0383). Macitentan was generally well tolerated; adverse events were consistent with those in previous PAH studies with macitentan. In conclusion, macitentan showed promising tolerability and significantly reduced PVR in PH patients with persistently elevated PVR after LVAD implantation. ClinicalTrials. gov identifier: NCT02554903.

Burnout is a challenging issue among surgeons. Many factors have been linked to burnout, such as an inadequate work-life balance, high stress levels, and the frequency of on-call, overnight shifts. There is a lack of research on factors in surgeons’ daily lives associated with burnout. This study observed trauma surgeons with daily surveys assessing stress and fatigue over 9 days (6 day shifts, three night shifts). This study analyzes surgeons’ stress and fatigue levels. The study population was compared to the population of US critical care surgeons to ensure representativeness based on age, sex, and rates of burnout. Overnight shifts showed high stress and fatigue levels relative to off days, day shifts, the 3 days before, and the 3 days after overnight shifts. Days performing surgery were also more stressful and fatiguing than non-surgery work days and off days. Fatigue and stress levels were minimized during off days.

AbstractPurposeSinonasal malignancies (SNMs) adversely impact patients’ quality of life (QOL) and are frequently identified at an advanced stage. Because these tumors are rare, there are few studies that examine the specific QOL areas that are impacted. This knowledge would help improve the care of these patients.MethodsIn this prospective, multi‐institutional study, 273 patients with SNMs who underwent definitive treatment with curative intent were evaluated. We used the University of Washington Quality of Life (UWQOL) instrument over 5 years from diagnosis to identify demographic, treatment, and disease‐related factors that influence each of the 12 UWQOL subdomains from baseline to 5 ‐years post‐treatment.ResultsMultivariate models found endoscopic resection predicted improved pain (vs. nonsurgical treatment CI 2.4, 19.4, p = 0.01) and appearance versus open (CI 27.0, 35.0, p < 0.001) or combined (CI 10.4, 17.1, p < 0.001). Pterygopalatine fossa involvement predicted worse swallow (CI −10.8, −2.4, p = 0.01) and pain (CI −17.0, −4.0, p < 0.001). Neck dissection predicted worse swallow (CI −14.8, −2.8, p < 0.001), taste (CI −31.7, −1.5, p = 0.02), and salivary symptoms (CI −28.4, −8.6, p < 0.001). Maxillary involvement predicted worse chewing (CI 9.8, 33.2; p < 0.001) and speech (CI −21.8, −5.4, p < 0.001) relative to other sites. Advanced T stage predicted worse anxiety (CI −13.0, −2.0, p = 0.03).ConclusionsSurgical approach, management of cervical disease, tumor extent, and site of involvement impacted variable UWQOL symptom areas. Endoscopic resection predicted better pain, appearance, and chewing compared with open. These results may aid in counseling patients regarding potential QOL expectations in their SNM treatment and recovery course.

Abstract Objective . Conventional computed tomography (CT) imaging does not provide quantitative information on local thermal changes during percutaneous ablative therapy of cancerous and benign tumors, aside from few qualitative, visual cues. In this study, we have investigated changes in CT signal across a wide range of temperatures and two physical phases for two different tissue mimicking materials, each. Approach . A series of experiments were conducted using an anthropomorphic phantom filled with water-based gel and olive oil, respectively. Multiple, clinically used ablation devices were applied to locally cool or heat the phantom material and were arranged in a configuration that produced thermal changes in regions with inconsequential amounts of metal artifact. Eight fiber optic thermal sensors were positioned in the region absent of metal artifact and were used to record local temperatures throughout the experiments. A spectral CT scanner was used to periodically acquire and generate electron density weighted images. Average electron density weighted values in 1 mm 3 volumes of interest near the temperature sensors were computed and these data were then used to calculate thermal volumetric expansion coefficients for each material and phase. Main results . The experimentally determined expansion coefficients well-matched existing published values and variations with temperature—maximally differing by 5% of the known value. As a proof of concept, a CT-generated temperature map was produced during a heating time point of the water-based gel phantom, demonstrating the capability to map changes in electron density weighted signal to temperature. Significance . This study has demonstrated that spectral CT can be used to estimate local temperature changes for different materials and phases across temperature ranges produced by thermal ablations.