Indicators of stress hematopoiesis in the blood predict COVID-19 progression in patients over 65 years old.

Objectives: Advanced age is a well-established risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Exacerbated inflammation affects multiple organs, among which hematopoiesis responds by increased output of various cells. We aimed to determine the association between COVID-19 progression and large immature cell (LIC) counts, changes in erythrocyte and platelet distribution widths (RDW, PDW) with reference to patients' age.

Impact of quality of response on survival outcomes among multiple myeloma patients treated with novel agents - a retrospective analysis.

Background: In this era of target therapies, novel data on the correlation between response endpoints and survival outcomes in multiple myeloma have arisen.

Objective: To determine the impact of quality of response on clinical outcomes, using first-line treatment, and identify risk factors influencing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) among myeloma patients.

Design And Setting: Retrospective analysis on myeloma patients who were treated at the Clinic of Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Clinical Centre, Niš, Serbia, over a four-year period.

Acute leukemia and SARS-CoV-2 infection: clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality.

Patients with acute leukemia (AL) have a high mortality rate from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, studies including patients with AL and COVID-19 are few. Fifty-one patients with AL and COVID-19 were included in our study.

Potential role of IFN-γ and IL-5 in sepsis prediction of preterm neonates.

Not fully maturated immune system in preterm neonates may contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection. The levels of some cytokines can be useful in the prediction and diagnosis of sepsis in premature neonates. In the present study, we evaluated the potential predictive role of IFN-γ and IL-5 in cord and venous blood, together with the determination of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin (PCT) for sepsis development in premature neonates.

Generic Imatinib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatment: Long-Term Follow-up.

Background: Similar to the application of other generic drugs, the use of generic imatinib in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) leads to significant cost savings, but it also raises issues related to efficacy, safety, and quality. This study assessed the long-term outcome of CML patients after administration of generic imatinib.

Patients And Methods: The cohort of 83 patients was divided into 2 groups depending on whether generic imatinib was applied in the front-line setting or after switching from original imatinib.

The effect of curcumin and PI3K/Akt inhibitor on monosodium glutamate-induced rat thymocytes toxicity.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), the sodium salt of glutamic acid, is widely used in modern nutrition as flavor enhancer. However, it has been shown that curcumin has ability to induce apoptosis in the cells of the immune system. In the present study, we evaluate the potential protective effects of curcumin in MSG-induced apoptosis and signaling pathway which may be involved.

The significance of angiogenesis for predicting optimal therapeutic response in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients.

In this study the correlation and the prognostic value of the morphometric parameters of angiogenesis for optimal therapeutic response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), i.e. complete cytogenetic response (CCgR) and major molecular response (MMoR), were investigated.

Evaluation of platelet activation in leukocyte-depleted platelet concentrates during storage.

Structural and functional changes in platelets during storage can lead to the loss of platelet reactivity and response. Our aim was to evaluate leukocyte-depleted platelet concentrates on storage days 0, 3 and 5, obtained by in-line filtration. In non-filtered platelet concentrates (NF-PC) group, 180 whole blood units were collected with quadruple blood bags and then compared to another group of 180 whole blood units (leukocyte-depleted platelet concentrates [LD-PC]), collected in Imuflex Whole Blood Filter Saving Platelets (WB-SP) bags with an integrated leukoreduction filter, with regard to the platelet quality and characteristics.

Analyses of Treatment Outcome According to Age in Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Front-line Imatinib Therapy.

Background: Previous studies have indicated that the effect of age at the diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is minimized in patients treated with imatinib. The treatment response and survival rates were similar for younger and elderly patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of age on the treatment outcomes in patients with CML receiving front-line imatinib therapy.

Improved prediction of clinical outcome in chronic myeloid leukemia.

We sought to develop and compare prognostic models, based on clinical and/or morphometric diagnostic data, to enable better prediction of complete cytogenetic response (CCgR). This prospective longitudinal study included a consecutive series of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who were started on imatinib therapy. Logistic regression analysis using backward selection was performed with CCgR at 6, 12, and 18 months as the outcome variables.

[Maternal smoking during pregnancy and socioeconomic factors as predictors of low birth weight in term pregnancies in Nis].

Background/aim: Low birth weight (LBW) is a result of preterm birth or intrauterine growth retardation, and in both cases is the strongest single factor associated with perinatal and neonatal mortality. It is considered that socioeconomic factors, as well as mothers bad habits, play the most significant role in the development of LBW, which explains notable number of researches focused on this particular problem. The aim of this study was to characterize socioeconomic factors, as well as smoking habits of the mothers, and their connection with LBW.