Complex Karyotype Detection in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Comparison of Parallel Cytogenetic Cultures Using TPA and IL2+DSP30 from a Single Center.

Current CLL guidelines recommend a two parallel cultures assessment using TPA and IL2+DSP30 mitogens for complex karyotype (CK) detection. Studies comparing both mitogens for CK identification in the same cohort are lacking. We analyzed the global performance, CK detection, and concordance in the complexity assessment of two cytogenetic cultures from 255 CLL patients.

A common garden experiment supports a genetic component underlying the increased resilience of common cockle () to the parasite .

The common cockle is a valuable bivalve species inhabiting the Atlantic European coasts. The parasite has devastated cockle beds in the southern Galician (NW Spain) rias since 2012. Previous data suggested that cockles from Ría de Arousa acquired some resilience to this parasite through natural selection after consecutive annual marteiliosis outbreaks and candidate markers associated with marteiliosis resilience were identified using population genomics and transcriptomics approaches.

National nutrition surveillance programmes in 18 countries in South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions: a systematic scoping review.

Objective: To identify and analyse ongoing nutrition-related surveillance programmes led and/or funded by national authorities in countries in South-East Asian and Western Pacific Regions.

Methods: We systematically searched for publications in PubMed® and Scopus, manually searched the grey literature and consulted with national health and nutrition officials, with no restrictions on publication type or language. We included low- and middle-income countries in the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China.

Leukemic Involvement Is a Common Feature in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia at Diagnosis.

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with bone marrow (BM) involvement and IgM monoclonal gammopathy. To date, no studies have focused specifically on peripheral blood (PB) involvement. In this study, 100 patients diagnosed with WM according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were included based on the demonstration of mut in BM and the availability of PB multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) analysis.

Early changes in S100B maternal blood levels can predict fetal intrauterine growth restriction.

Objectives: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) represents one of the main causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Nowadays, IUGR early diagnosis is mandatory in order to limit the occurrence of multiorgan failure, especially the brain. Therefore, we investigated whether longitudinal S100B assessment in maternal blood could be a trustable predictor of IUGR.

Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with monoclonal gammopathies: A cross sectional study.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is the most effective strategy to protect individuals with haematologic malignancies against severe COVID-19, while eliciting limited vaccine responses. We characterized the humoral responses following 3 mo after mRNA-based vaccines in individuals at different plasma-cell disease stages: monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), and multiple myeloma on first-line therapy (MM), compared with a healthy population. Plasma samples from uninfected MM patients showed lower SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels and neutralization capacity compared with MGUS, SMM, and healthy individuals.

Real-World Evidence of Daratumumab Monotherapy in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients and Efficacy on Soft-Tissue Plasmacytomas.

Introduction: Daratumumab is an anti-CD38 agent that was first investigated as single agent in GEN501 and SIRIUS trials in patients with advanced multiple myeloma (MM). Overall response rate (ORR) was 30% with positive impact on progression-free survival (PFS). However, there is a lack of information regarding plasmacytoma response.

S100B Maternal Blood Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Are Birthweight, Gender and Delivery Mode Dependent.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is one of the main causes of perinatal mortality/morbidity. Today, a parameter offering useful information on fetal central nervous system (CNS) development/damage is eagerly awaited. We investigated the role of brain-protein S100B in the maternal blood of GDM pregnancies by means of a prospective case-control study in 646 pregnancies (GDM: = 106; controls: = 530).

Hatchery efficiency for turtle conservation in Cabo Verde.

This paper evaluated the efficiency of beach hatcheries as a conservation tool for threatened sea turtle clutches. During six nesting seasons (2013 to 2018), several thousand high-risk clutches from loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) were relocated to a hatchery constructed on the same beach, within the Sea Turtle Natural Reserve (STNR, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde). Some parameters like hatching success; incubation period, hatchlings' morphology and their behavioral response were compared to in-situ clutches.

Predictors of return to work after autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma.

Return to work (RTW) is a marker of functional recovery in cancer patients, with quality of life, financial and social implications. We investigated frequency and factors associated with RTW in a cohort of patients younger than 66 years, with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM), uniformly treated with a bortezomib-based induction followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Socio-economic and working status data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire.

Treatment patterns and outcomes in real-world transplant-ineligible patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Despite the significant proportion of older patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM), most clinical trials driving therapeutic decisions in routine practice include younger and presumably healthier patients than those in the real world. Furthermore, longitudinal studies suggest that elderly, transplant-ineligible patients with MM are not benefitting enough from new anti-MM agents. We retrospectively analyzed the profile of and treatment patterns and outcomes in 675 transplant-ineligible patients with MM who started frontline therapy in routine practice.

Massive intrasplenic arterial thrombosis in a patient with chronic ITP during the development of an Evans syndrome.

Long-term safety and efficacy of eltrombopag in adults with persitent/chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) evaluated in EXTEND study, showed a high response rate (80%) but, in the clinical safety study, it was observed that 6% of the patients presented venous and arterial thrombotic events. In addition, in the course of the disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia (Evans syndrome, ES) may occur and could increase the risk of thrombosis. We report an interesting case of splenic rupture due to massive intrasplenic arterial thrombosis in the course of ES in a patient with chronic ITP treated with eltrombopag.

Reduced expansion of CD94/NKG2C NK cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and CLL-like monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis is not related to increased human cytomegalovirus seronegativity or NKG2C deletions.

Introduction: Dysregulated NK cell-mediated immune responses contribute to tumor evasion in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), although the NK cell compartment in CLL-like monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) is poorly understood. In healthy individuals, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) induces the expansion of NK cells expressing high levels of CD94/NKG2C NK cell receptor (NKR) specific for HLA-E.

Methods: We analyzed the expression of NKG2A, NKG2C, ILT2, KIR, CD161, and CD57 in 24 MBL and 37 CLL.

Chemotherapy or allogeneic transplantation in high-risk Philadelphia chromosome-negative adult lymphoblastic leukemia.

The need for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with high-risk (HR) features and adequate measurable residual disease (MRD) clearance remains unclear. The aim of the ALL-HR-11 trial was to evaluate the outcomes of HR Ph- adult ALL patients following chemotherapy or allo-HSCT administered based on end-induction and consolidation MRD levels. Patients aged 15 to 60 years with HR-ALL in complete response (CR) and MRD levels (centrally assessed by 8-color flow cytometry) <0.

Impact of response to treatment in health-related quality of life patient-reported outcomes in elderly patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a recurrent malignancy with a high impact on quality of life. Improved survival relies on the combination of drugs and extended duration of therapy, raising concerns on its toxicity burden in elderly patients. Health-related quality of life measurements attent to capture health aspects relevant to patients other than efficacy.

Treatment of Frail Older Adults and Elderly Patients With Philadelphia Chromosome-negative Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Results of a Prospective Trial With Minimal Chemotherapy.

Background: The treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in older adults and elderly patients is a challenge, and modern protocols include targeted therapy and immunotherapy in combination with attenuated or minimal chemotherapy. However, frail patients are excluded from these trials, and reports on the outcome of this subgroup of patients are scarce. Our objective was to analyze the outcome of unfit older adults and elderly patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative ALL included in a prospective trial (ALL-07FRAIL).

Bone tissue quality in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance.

Introduction: Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) is highly prevalent in older adults and affects bone structure, with osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures in up to 14% of affected patients. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the standard technique for diagnosing osteoporosis, is ineffective to reveal microstructure and bone quality in this disease.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with MGUS, recruited consecutively from the Hematology and Internal Medicine Departments of Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, between January 2011 and January 2018.

Successfully non-surgical management of flail chest as first manifestation of multiple myeloma: A case report.

Background: Multiple myeloma is a malignant neoplasm of the bone marrow characterized by neoplastic proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells with a high relationship with destructive bone disease. We present a case of a patient diagnosed with multiple myeloma and sternal fracture in association with multiple bilateral rib fractures and thoracic kyphosis, who developed a severe acute respiratory failure, thus complicating the initial presentation of multiple myeloma. We discuss the therapeutic implications of this uncommon presentation.