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This article provides a comprehensive review of the use of machine learning (ML) in transfusion medicine. It discusses the potential benefits of ML in improving patient outcomes and clinical practice in patient blood management. The review covers various studies that have developed prediction models for blood transfusion requirements in different surgical procedures, as well as studies on predicting transfusion needs in trauma patients, identifying risk factors for adverse outcomes, assessing transfusion appropriateness, and investigating transfusion safety. The studies utilize different ML models and report varying levels of accuracy in their predictions. The article highlights the potential of ML in improving transfusion practices and optimizing inventory management in hospital settings, but also emphasizes the need for further research, validation, and standardization in this field. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: The seasonal influenza A vaccine is recommended for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). We hypothesised that immune deregulation associated with MPNs may affect the immune response gained following vaccinations when compared to healthy controls. Using deep immunophenotyping with high‐dimensional single‐cell analysis and mass cytometry we could demonstrate an altered immune response in MPN patients following vaccination. We found that prior to vaccination, MPN patients had reduced numbers of naive CD4 T cells. Furthermore, at 3‐weeks and 3‐months post‐vaccination there was evidence of both delayed and impaired B‐ and T‐memory cells responses. Thus, although, the immune systems of MPN patients can 'recognise' the Influenza A vaccine, the response appears inferior compared to healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Standard first‐line therapy choice for essential thrombocythaemia (ET) requiring cytoreduction, supported by randomized trials, is low‐dose aspirin with hydroxycarbamide, but the role of recombinant interferon‐alfa (IFNα)‐2a/2b and pegylated (PEG)‐IFN‐α‐2a/2b is increasingly highlighted. Longer‐term outcome data, however, remains somewhat scarce, particularly in the 'real world'. We hereby report on a large, well‐annotated cohort of ET patients from a single referral centre undergoing therapy with either IFNα or (PEG)‐IFN‐α‐2a/2b and demonstrate high rates of complete haematological responses, good tolerability and safety, low rates of thromboembolic events in compliant patients and confirm feasibility of long‐term therapy in a significant proportion of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myelofibrosis ( MF) is a rare haematopoietic disorder, commonly diagnosed in the 6th decade: less than 20% are diagnosed before the age of 50 years. In this retrospective study we included all patients given a diagnosis of World Health Organization-defined primary or secondary MF when aged ≤50 years. Forty-three patients with a median age of 43 years were included. Median follow up was 44 months. Twenty-two (51%) harboured the JAK2 V617F mutation, 18/43 (42%) CALR, 0/43 (0%) MPL mutations and 3/43 (7%) were 'Triple Negative' ( TN). At the time of diagnosis, no significant differences existed in haematological and clinical phenotypes between JAK2, CALR and TN patients. The frequency of splenomegaly was greater ( P = 0·047) in the JAK2-mutated group compared to CALR-mutated patients. In the whole cohort, the 5-year probability of developing anaemia, thrombocytopenia and marked leucocytosis was 24%, 10% and 13% respectively. Finally, the cumulative incidence of thrombotic events and progression to acute myeloid leukaemia was 1% and 0·5% patient-year respectively. No death was reported during the follow-up. These findings suggest that MF in younger patients may have a more indolent course when compared to older patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reported higher risk of maternal and fetal complications in women with myeloproliferative neoplasms ( MPN) poses challenge during pregnancy. A national prospective study of maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant women with a diagnosis of MPN was undertaken via the United Kingdom Obstetric Surveillance System between January 2010 and December 2012. Fifty-eight women with a diagnosis of MPN were identified; 47 (81%) essential thrombocythaemia, five (9%) polycythaemia vera, five (9%) myelofibrosis and one (2%) MPN-unclassified. There were 58 live births. The incidence of miscarriage was 1·7/100 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0·04-9·24) and the perinatal mortality rate was 17/1000 (95% CI: 0·44-92·36) live and stillbirths. Incidence of maternal complications was 9% (5/57) pre-eclampsia, 9% (5/57) post-partum haemorrhage and 3·5% (2/57) post-partum haematoma. There were no maternal deaths or thrombotic events. Delivery was induced in 45% (24/53) of women and the Caesarean section rate was 45% (24/53). The majority (85%, 45/53) delivered at term (>37 weeks gestation). Twenty-two percent (12/54) of neonates were below the 10% centile for growth and 13% (7/54) required admission to a neonatal care-unit; there were no neonatal deaths. The findings of this large, UK prospective study suggests women with MPN appear to have successful pregnancies with better outcomes than would be anticipated from the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approach to the diagnosis and management of essential thrombocythaemia ( ET) is steadily changing, influenced by advances in molecular biology, data from clinical trials and retrospective analyses of patient cohorts. In the past decade options for clinical management largely remain unchanged, but who we treat, and with what target in mind, is evolving. A further area of change is recognition of symptoms that may be associated with ET, as well as other myeloproliferative neoplasms, and that potential options for their management are becoming available. Judicious and careful diagnosis is increasingly a fundamental key to successful management followed by cytoreductive therapy in a subset of patients. In this review we demonstrate our management strategies for ET using a case-based format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a young adult male with a 3-day history of ataxia and bilateral deafness who demonstrated leucostasis-induced bilateral intracerebral haemorrhages and chronic myeloid leukaemia.