Evaluation of AQUIOS STEM, a novel method for automated CD34+ stem cell enumeration using flow cytometry.

Objectives: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for various diseases. The measurement of CD34+ cells is crucial to schedule the peripheral blood stem cell collection and assess the engraftment potential of the apheresis product. The AQUIOS STEM system has been introduced as a novel application on the AQUIOS CL, a fully automated flow cytometer, for the enumeration of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in accordance with the The International Society for Hematotherapy and Graft Engineering guidelines.

Alternative genetic alterations of MYC, BCL2, and/or BCL6 in high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): Can we identify different prognostic subgroups?

High-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL)/diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with rearrangements (R) in MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 are correlated with poor prognosis. Little is known about the impact of other genetic alterations (gain (G) or amplification (A)) of these genes. The aim of the study was to investigate whether we can identify new prognostic subgroups.

Acquired factor X deficiency in a multiple myeloma without amyloidosis: a case report.

Background: Multiple myeloma is one of the most common hematologic malignancies. Acquired factor X deficiencies are often observed in primary (AL) amyloidosis and rarely in multiple myeloma.

Objective: We report a case of an acquired factor X deficiency in a patient with a newly diagnosed IgA lambda multiple myeloma, without any evidence of concomitant amyloidosis.

Diagnostic utility of the lymphoid screening tube supplemented with TRBC1 for the assessment of T-cell clonality.

Introduction: Flow cytometric panels for the investigation of lymphoproliferative disorders, such as the EuroFlow Lymphoid Screening Tube (LST), often fail to demonstrate T-cell clonality, as a suitable clonality marker was unavailable until recently. Aim of this study was to evaluate the added value of supplementing TRBC1, a flow cytometric T-cell clonality marker, to the LST.

Methods: Flow cytometric analysis was performed on 830 routine samples referred to our lab for suspicion of hematological malignancy.

Immune Senescence Markers Predict the Cellular Immune Response to BNT162b2 Vaccination in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Chronic kidney disease is associated with increased risk of frailty and accelerated immune senescence, potentially affecting the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination.

Methods: Humoral and cellular responses against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were determined in 189 COVID-naive hemodialysis patients at week 4 and 8 after vaccination with 2 doses of BNT162b2. Frailty indicators and immune senescence markers were determined at baseline to identify predictors of the immune response.

Routine noninvasive prenatal screening for fetal Rh D in maternal plasma-A 2-year experience from a single center in Belgium.

Background: Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to rhesus D (RhD) immunization is a potentially life-threatening situation for which use of Rh Immunoglobulin (RhIg) has decreased risk drastically. Determination of fetal RHD on maternal plasma can be used to restrict prenatal RhIg administration to women carrying an RhD-positive child, avoiding unnecessary administration of blood-derived products.

Study Design And Methods: The aim of this study is to determine the performance of fetal RHD typing in our center.

Evaluation of next-generation sequencing-based clonality analysis of T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangements based on a new interpretation algorithm.

Introduction: T-cell receptor gene (TRG) rearrangement profiling is an essential component of the workup at diagnosis of T-cell malignancies. TRG amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analysis by capillary electrophoresis (PCR-CE) is mostly widely used but is hampered by a subjective interpretation of its results and possible false-positive interpretation of clonality. Several studies evaluated the advantage of TRG rearrangement analysis by Next Generation Sequencing (TRG-NGS), however few have proposed an adequate data interpretation algorithm.

Diagnostic utility of the lymphoid screening tube supplemented with CD34 for Ogata score calculation in patients with peripheral cytopenia.

Objectives: The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is not always straightforward in the absence of objective markers such as ringed sideroblasts, an excess of blasts or clonal cytogenetic abnormalities. Moreover, the lack of specificity of morphological dysplasia makes the differentiation between MDS and other causes of peripheral cytopenia difficult. The WHO 2016 classification of MDS recognizes multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) as an adjuvant tool for MDS diagnosis.

Evaluation of the CellaVision DM96 advanced RBC application for screening and follow-up of malaria infection.

CellaVision DM96 is a digital cell morphology system for automated classification of white and red blood cells. CellaVision Advanced RBC application (ARBCA) pre-classifies RBC in 21 categories, including parasitized RBC, and allows re-classification by the operator. In this study, the performance of the software for detection of malaria and calculation of parasitemia was evaluated and compared to microscopy (n=40).

Evaluation of two automated cell counters for the analysis of hematopoietic progenitor cell apheresis products.

Introduction: Routine hematology parameters in hematopoietic progenitor cell apheresis products (HPC-A) are usually determined using automated cell counters. These instruments, however, are designed to analyze whole blood samples, that differ considerably from HPC-A in blood cell composition. This study evaluates the performance of two automated cell counters for the analysis of HPC-A.

Evaluation of four hemoglobin separation analyzers for hemoglobinopathy diagnosis.

Background: Four automated hemoglobin separation devices are compared in their ability to detect hemoglobinopathies, both in HbA1c and in hemoglobinopathy mode.

Methods: Quality control material and 58 samples, including one heterozygous α-thalassemia sample, six heterozygote β-thalassemia samples and 32 samples with a known hemoglobin variant, were used to assess imprecision of HbF and HbA2 measurements, correlation with the gold standard and sensitivity for detecting β-thalassemia and Hb variants on D-100 (Bio-Rad Laboratories), HA 8180T (Menarini), HLC-723G8 (Tosoh Bioscience) and Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing (Sebia).

Results: Imprecision was <10% for both HbF and HbA2 in all modes of all analyzers.

Evaluation of the Red Blood Cell Advanced Software Application on the CellaVision DM96.

Introduction: The CellaVision Advanced Red Blood Cell (RBC) Software Application is a new software for advanced morphological analysis of RBCs on a digital microscopy system. Upon automated precharacterization into 21 categories, the software offers the possibility of reclassification of RBCs by the operator. We aimed to define the optimal cut-off to detect morphological RBC abnormalities and to evaluate the precharacterization performance of this software.

Bing-Neel syndrome: Two unexpected cases and a review of the literature.

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma characterized by the proliferation of small B-lymphocytes in the bone marrow that produce monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM). We describe two patients with WM who presented with neurological symptoms due to infiltration of lymphoplasmacytoid tumor cells in the central nervous system, a condition known as Bing-Neel syndrome. A literature review revealed that this syndrome is rare and commonly missed in clinical practice due to its variable presentation and a lack of awareness or knowledge.

Analysis of phenotype and outcome in essential thrombocythemia with CALR or JAK2 mutations.

The JAK2 V617F mutation, the thrombopoietin receptor MPL W515K/L mutation and calreticulin (CALR) mutations are mutually exclusive in essential thrombocythemia and support a novel molecular categorization of essential thrombocythemia. CALR mutations account for approximately 30% of cases of essential thrombocythemia. In a retrospective study, we examined the frequency of MPL and CALR mutations in JAK2 V617F-negative cases of essential thrombocythemia (n=103).

Evaluation of schistocyte analysis by a novel automated digital cell morphology application.

Introduction: The CellaVision Advanced Red Blood Cell (RBC) Software Application is a new software for advanced morphological analysis of RBC, which automatically performs a preliminary characterization and grouping of RBC into 21 morphological categories, including schistocytes. Upon automated classification, the software offers the possibility of reclassification of RBC by the operator. The aim of this study was to evaluate the schistocyte analysis by the CellaVision Advanced RBC Application.

Dose-finding study of rivaroxaban in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Use of vitamin K antagonists for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in dialysis patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is controversial. However, no good alternatives presently are available. The anti-factor Xa antagonist rivaroxaban is contraindicated for lack of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and clinical data.

Changed gene expression in brains of mice exposed to traffic in a highway tunnel.

Context: Air pollution has been suggested to have an impact on the brain.

Objective: The objective was to assess the expression of inflammation-related genes in the brains of mice that had been exposed for 5 days to a well-characterized traffic-polluted environment, i.e.

Thrombogenic changes in young and old mice upon subchronic exposure to air pollution in an urban roadside tunnel.

Epidemiological studies indicate that elderly persons are particularly susceptible to the cardiovascular health complications of air pollution, but pathophysiological mechanisms behind the increased susceptibility remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated how continuous traffic-related air pollution exposure affects haemostasis parameters in young and old mice. Young (10 weeks) and old (20 months) mice were placed in an urban roadside tunnel or in a clean environment for 25 or 26 days and markers of inflammation and endothelial cells or blood platelet activation were measured, respectively.

Circulating apoptotic endothelial cells and apoptotic endothelial microparticles independently predict the presence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

Objectives: Maintenance of endothelial homeostasis may prevent the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). This study investigated whether biomarkers related to endothelial injury and endothelial repair discriminate between CAV-negative and CAV-positive heart transplant recipients.

Background: CAV is the most important determinant of cardiac allograft survival and a major cause of death after heart transplantation.

Antidote strategies to reverse anticoagulation with TB-402, a long-acting partial inhibitor of factor VIII.

Background: TB-402 is a partially inhibiting antibody of factor VIII that is under development as a long-acting anticoagulant.

Patients And Methods: The reversibility of FVIII inhibition by TB-402 was evaluated in vitro after spiking with recombinant human FVIII (rhFVIII), human plasma-derived FVIII (hpdFVIII), recombinant activated human FVII (rhFVIIa), FVIII inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA), and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). Twelve subjects were randomized to placebo or 35 or 70 IU kg(-1) rhFVIII 48 h after a single dose of 620 μg kg(-1) TB-402.

Effect of ageing on the murine venous circulation.

The effect of ageing on the morphology of veins, venous valves and arteries was investigated in male wild-type mice using an adapted procedure with injection of a silicone polymer Microfil(®) that preserves morphology of the vasculature. Throughout the hind limb the arterial, but not the venous, lumen area and wall thickness were significantly greater in 24-month as compared to 10-week-old C57BL/6 mice. Venous valves were most frequently located at the sapheno-femoral vein junction in the lower extremities, and appeared thicker at the base supported by structurally intact collagen fibers, and thinner towards the proximal end of the valve leaflet, with less organized collagen.

Air pollution-associated procoagulant changes: the role of circulating microvesicles.

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest an association between exposure to particulate matter (PM) in air pollution and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Objectives: To investigate the underlying pathophysiological pathways linking PM exposure and VTE.

Patients And Methods: We assessed potential associations between PM exposure and coagulation and inflammation parameters, including circulating microvesicles, in a group of 233 patients with diabetes.

The effect of air pollution on haemostasis.

Ambient environmental air pollutants include gaseous and particulate components. In polluted air, especially particulate matter seems responsible for cardiovascular complications: It consists of a heterogeneous mixture of solid and liquid particles with different diameters ranging from large thoracic to ultrafine particles, with a diameter <100 nm. Ultrafines can penetrate deeply into the lung to deposit in the alveoli.