Analyzing Blood Cells of High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients Using Interferometric Phase Microscopy and Fluorescent Flow Cytometry.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a group of potentially deadly diseases that affect the morphology and function of neutrophils. Rapid diagnosis of MDS is crucial for the initiation of treatment that can vastly improve disease outcome. In this work, we present a new approach for detecting morphological differences between neutrophils isolated from blood samples of high-risk MDS patients and blood bank donors (BBDs).

MDS-Related Anemia Is Associated with Impaired Quality of Life but Improvement Is Not Always Achieved by Increased Hemoglobin Level.

Quality of life is impaired in MDS, but the role of hemoglobin level is unclear. To study the Hb-QoL correlation at diagnosis and 1 year later, patients filled out the EQ-5D questionnaire, assessing their mobility, self care, daily activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, using scores of 0 (normal), 1 (mild/moderate), or 2 (poor). They also evaluated their health using a visual analogue scale, scoring from 0 (poor) to 100 (excellent).

BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in immunocompromised patients: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Trials of the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine showed 95% efficacy in preventing symptomatic disease; however, the trials excluded immunocompromised patients (ICPs). We aim at analyzing antibody response in ICPs.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at Sheba Medical Center, Israel, between January and April 2020, in 1274 participants who received the vaccine, including 1002 ICPs and 272 immunocompetent healthcare workers (HCWs).

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Requiring Two Cycles of Intensive Induction for Attainment of Remission Experience Inferior Survival Compared with Patients Requiring a Single Course of Induction Chemotherapy.

Background: Achievement of initial remission remains the most important clinical factor predicting long term survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with intensive chemotherapy. Yet, whether the patient subset in need of a second cycle of intensive induction chemotherapy to reach remission experiences inferior outcomes compared to patients reaching remission after a single cycle of therapy, remains uncertain.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 302 consecutive AML patients treated with intensive induction chemotherapy in our institution in 2007-2020.

Reassessing the role of high dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

A substantial segment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will relapse following an initial response to induction therapy or will prove to be primary refractory. High-dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone (HiDAC/MITO) is an established salvage therapy for these patients. We studied all adult patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML who were treated with HiDAC/MITO in our center between the years 2008-2017.

Is fluorescence in-situ hybridization sufficient in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and insufficient cytogenetic testing?

Chromosome banding analysis (CBA) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remains the 'gold standard' for identification of chromosomal abnormalities, while interphase fluorescence in-situ hybridization (I-FISH) is mainly used to complement CBA. This study, retrospectively, evaluated CBA and I-FISH results in 600 patients with suspected MDS and determined the effect of CBA/FISH reallocation on IPSS-R. Our result demonstrated that in 7/586 (1.

Gender disparities in the functional significance of anemia among apparently healthy adults.

Background: Data on the functional impact of anemia on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and survival in healthy individuals are limited. Our aim was to evaluate the association between anemia thresholds, low CRF, and survival in otherwise healthy adults.

Methods: Study population included 16 334 apparently healthy subjects attending annual periodic health screening examinations (71 200 annual visits), including exercise stress testing (EST).

Second line azacitidine for elderly or infirmed patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) not eligible for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation-a retrospective national multicenter study.

Elderly and infirm patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with either induction refractory or relapse disease may benefit from treatment with azacitidine. We retrospectively reviewed the data from five tertiary centers in Israel, treated between 2009 and 2015. Thirty-four patients (median age 74 years) were identified.

Clinical Experience With Deferiprone Treatment for Friedreich Ataxia.

Friedreich ataxia is an inherited disorder characterized by degeneration of the peripheral and central nervous system and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Homozygous mutations in the frataxine (FXN) gene reduce expression of frataxin and cause accumulation of iron in the mitochondria. Deferiprone, an oral iron chelator, has been shown effective in cell and animal models of Friedreich ataxia.

Higher infection rate after 7- compared with 5-day cycle of azacitidine in patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.

Introduction: Azacitidine (AZA) dose reduction is a common practice in cytopenic patients. However, a correlation between AZA dose and infection complications has never been studied.

Patients And Methods: Higher-risk patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia treated with AZA in 18 Israeli hospitals between the years 2008 and 2011 were included in a former national survey.

Toward resolving the unsettled role of iron chelation therapy in myelodysplastic syndromes.

Transfusion dependent low risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients, eventually develop iron overload. Iron toxicity, via oxidative stress, can damage cellular components and impact organ function. In thalassemia major patients, iron chelation therapy lowered iron levels with recovery of cardiac and liver functions and significant improvement in survival.

The impact of R-VACOP-B and interim FDG-PET/CT on outcome in primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma.

The choice of a rituximab-based regimen and the prognostic significance of interim 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMBCL) are debatable. We evaluated the clinical features and outcomes of 95 consecutive patients with PMBCL who were treated between 1985 and 2009. Forty-three patients received rituximab-based chemotherapy, R-VACOP-B (N = 30) or R-CHOP21 (N = 13), whereas 52 patients were treated with VACOP-B (N = 47) or CHOP21 (N = 5).

The role of hypomethylating agents in myelodysplastic syndrome: changing the management paradigm.

Modern treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) such as azacitidine (Vidaza) and decitabine (Dacogen) has changed the clinical landscape of these disorders. Novel drug combinations of HMAs with histone deacetylase inhibitor therapy may synergistically target different dysregulated molecular mechanisms within MDS clones. This article reviews current trial data concerning the use of the main HMAs in MDS patients where intensive chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation is generally not an option.

Predicting infections in high-risk patients with myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia treated with azacitidine: a retrospective multicenter study.

Hypomethylating agents have become the standard therapy for patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). In Israel, azacitidine (AZA) is routinely used. Yet, infectious complications are common during AZA therapy.

Anemia, iron deficiency, and stress fractures in female combatants during 16 months.

Yanovich, R, Merkel, D, Israeli, E, Evans, RK, Erlich, T, and Moran, DS. Anemia, iron deficiency, and stress fractures in female combatants during 16 months. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3412-3421, 2011-The purpose of this study is to evaluate the hematological profile of military recruits in different settings and training programs and to investigate the link between anemia and iron deficiency with stress fracture (SF) occurrence.

Incidence of anemia and iron deficiency in strenuously trained adolescents: results of a longitudinal follow-up study.

Purpose: Combat soldiers have a higher prevalence of anemia than age- and gender-matched civilians. This may be caused by hemodilution, which is typical among athletes, or by reduced body iron stores. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of iron-deficiency anemia in recruits to the Israel Defense Force after 6 months of training.

Prediction model for stress fracture in young female recruits during basic training.

Purpose: To develop a new prediction model for stress fractures (SF) in female recruits during basic training (BT) to identify risk factors and to try to prevent orthopedic injuries.

Methods: Measurements and data collection were taken from three companies of gender-integrated recruited units before the BT program (a total of 227 females and 83 males). Measurements included anthropometric variables, blood samples for hematology profile and markers for bone metabolism, fitness tests, bone quality (peripheral quantitative computed tomography), nutritional and activity habits, psychological assessment, and medical evaluation.

Differences in physical fitness of male and female recruits in gender-integrated army basic training.

Purpose: To evaluate gender differences in physical fitness before and after a 4-month gender-integrated basic training (BT) course and to determine whether this program effectively narrowed the differences between male and female soldiers in physical fitness parameters.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-seven soldiers (109 females and 28 males) successfully completed a 4-month BT course in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The subject's physical fitness was evaluated pre- and post-BT by three laboratory tests [the maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), the Leonardo Ground Reaction Force Plate, and the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT)] and by the IDF physical fitness test (IDF-PT).

Iron deficiency and the role of nutrition among female military recruits.

Unlabelled: The impact of iron deficiency is considerable when enhanced physical fitness is required. Female military recruits represent a unique population faced with intense physical and cognitive demands.

Purpose: To examine the prevalence of iron deficiency and the impact of dietary habits among female recruits in the Israel Defense Forces.

The association between hematological and inflammatory factors and stress fractures among female military recruits.

Background: With the growing number of females accepted for combat-related military duties in the Israeli Defense Forces, their special needs should be addressed. Previous studies on females in combat training have found a high prevalence of iron deficiency at recruitment as well as an increased rate of stress fractures (SF) and overuse injuries during training when compared with males. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between hematological and inflammatory variables and SF occurrence among military recruits during basic training.

Association between acute lead exposure in indoor firing ranges and iron metabolism.

Background: Iron deficiency and lead poisoning are common and are often associated. This association has been suggested previously, mainly by retrospective cross-sectional studies.

Objective: To assess the impact of short-term lead exposure at indoor firing ranges, and its relationship to iron, ferritin, lead, zinc protoporphyrin, and hemoglobin concentrations in young adults.