Performance Evaluation of a Novel Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Digital Microscopy System for the Routine Analysis of Bone Marrow Aspirates.

Bone marrow aspiration (BMA) smear analysis is essential for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of a variety of benign and neoplastic hematological conditions. Currently, this analysis is performed by manual microscopy. We conducted a multicenter study to validate a computational microscopy approach with an artificial intelligence-driven decision support system.

Successful treatment with plasma exchange in life-threatening hyperhemolytic syndrome unrelated to sickle cell disease.

Introduction: Hyperhemolytic syndrome (HHS) is a severe form of delayed transfusion reaction primarily described in sickle cell anemia patients which is characterized by a hemoglobin decrease to pre-transfusion levels or lower, often with reticulocytopenia and no evidence of auto- or allo-antibodies.

Case Presentation: We present two cases of severe HHS in patients without sickle cell anemia refractory to treatment with steroids, immunoglobulins, and rituximab. In one case, temporary relief was achieved with eculizumab.

Thalassaemia-A global view.

The thalassaemias are a group of genetic disorders of haemoglobin which are endemic in the tropics but are now found worldwide due to migration. Basic standard of care therapy includes regular transfusions to maintain a haemoglobin level of around 10 g/dL, together with iron chelation therapy to prevent iron overload. Novel therapies, bone marrow transplantation, and gene therapy are treatment options that are unavailable in many countries with stressed economies.

Intravenous iron: do we adequately understand the short- and long-term risks in clinical practice?

Intravenous (IV) iron as a therapeutic agent is often administered but not always fully understood. The benefits of IV iron are well proven in many fields, particularly in nephrology. IV iron is beneficial not only for true iron deficiency but also for iron-restricted anaemia (functional iron deficiency).

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Myelofibrosis.

Background: Chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) can be associated with several malignancies, but rarely with myelofibrosis. Only isolated case reports in the literature described the association between CLL and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) in the same patient.

Objectives: We describe a case of CLL characterized by the development of PMF and a review of literature.

Haplotype analysis of α-thalassemia chromosomes reveals heterogeneity and multiple founders in Ashkenazi Jews.

α-Thalassemia (α-thal) is among the world's most common single gene disorders, generally attributed to a selective advantage of heterozygotes against malaria mortality. A high frequency of -α deletion heterozygosity has been previously reported in Ashkenazi Jews despite lack of obvious malarial selection pressure in this population. Using haplotype and -α subtype analysis we analyzed a subset of -α homozygotes from various Israeli ethnic groups.

Atypical presentations of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a diagnostic role for ADAMTS13.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an acute, life threatening disease. Only a minority of patients expresses the complete clinical presentation and unusual manifestations can occur. Demonstration of low activity levels of ADAMTS13 (<5 %) is highly specific for the diagnosis of TTP.

Thalassemia 2016: Modern medicine battles an ancient disease.

Thalassemia was first clinically described nearly a century ago and treatment of this widespread genetic disease has greatly advanced during this period. DNA-based diagnosis elucidated the molecular basis of the disease and clarified the variable clinical picture. It also paved the way for modern methods of carrier identification and prevention via DNA-based prenatal diagnosis.

The role of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an acute, thrombotic microangiopathy with a high mortality rate if left untreated. Plasma exchange (PEX) is the current standard of care. However, a significant number of patients are refractory to this treatment.

Therapeutic plasma exchange as treatment for propofol infusion syndrome.

Propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS), a rare complication of propofol sedation, is associated with high mortality. There is no specific therapy. A 16-year-old with head injury and status epilepticus is described.

The Use of Prehospital Ketamine for Control of Agitation in a Metropolitan Firefighter-based EMS System.

Abstract Introduction. Prehospital personnel frequently encounter agitated, combative, and intoxicated patients in the field. In recent years, ketamine has been described as an effective sedative agent to treat such patients; however, a paucity of research exists describing the use of prehospital ketamine.

Polymorphisms in the human organic cation transporter and the multidrug resistance gene: correlation with imatinib levels and clinical course in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

The optimal tyrosine kinase inhibitor for any individual patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is not predictable. Pharmacogenetic parameters and trough levels of imatinib (IM) have each been independently correlated with response. We therefore studied the human organic cation transporter (hOCT1) and multidrug resistance (MDR1) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and correlated these with IM levels and major molecular response (MMR) (3-log reduction) in 84 patients with CML, the first such study performed in Caucasians.