ABSTRACT
Background: Different processing methods are being used to improve the quality of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Using hydroxyethyl starch, simple centrifugation and Sepax automation, this study was aimed to compare these three conventional methods.
Material and Methods: 90 cord blood samples were taken and processed by hydroxyethyl starch, simple centrifugation and Sepax automation methods. Then they were subjected to total nucleated cell [TNC] counting and CD34 positive counting as well as colony assay. Finally, all data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] and ps less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The TNC recoveries in hydroxyethyl starch, simple centrifugation and Sepax automation methods were 76%, 71% and 80%, respectively [p> 0.05]. The CD34+ cell recoveries in the Sepax automation and in the other two methods were 91% and 85%, respectively [p> 0.05]. Also, the colony assay recoveries were not significantly different among the three methods [p> 0.05].
Conclusion: No significant difference was seen in TNC number, CD34 positive counting and colony formation among the three different methods.
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the expression and prognostic significance of the CD95 death receptor and CD20, a B cell-lineage associated marker, along with CD34 and CD44 non-lineage associated molecules in Iranian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL]. We performed immunophenotyping for expressions of the molecules in blood samples from children diagnosed with ALL by using a panel of monoclonal antibodies for flow cytometry analysis. The expression of markers was evaluated in relation to clinical and paraclinical features as well as response to treatment in the patients. CD95 showed a higher expression in T-ALL compared to B-ALL [P<0.001]. Analysis of the clinical and laboratory findings at diagnosis in the group of B-ALL patients revealed an association between CD95 expression with lower white blood cell [WBC] numbers and bone marrow blasts [P<0.05]. We detected a positive correlation between the expressions of CD95 and CD44 [r=0.445, P<0.01] in B-ALL patients. There was an association between CD20 expression and several poor prognostic factors that included increased extramedullary involvement [EMI] and decreased platelet numbers [P<0.008]. The mean expression of CD34 in B-ALL was higher than T-ALL [P=0.004]. At follow-up, complete remission duration [CRD] and survival duration did not significantly differ between patients who were positive or negative for each marker. Association of the studied molecules with several prognostic factors implies the significance of CD95 molecule as favorable and CD20 as unfavorable prognostic markers for childhood ALL
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although apoptosis occurs in nucleated cells, studies show that this event also occurs in some anucleated cells such as platelets. During storage of platelets, the viability of platelets decreased, storage lesions were observed, and cells underwent apoptosis. We investigated the effects of caspase-3 inhibitor on the survival and function of platelets after different periods of storage. METHODS: Platelet concentrates were obtained from the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization in plastic blood bags. Caspase-3 inhibitor (Z-DEVD-FMK) was added to the bags. These bags along with control bags to which no inhibitor was added were stored in a shaking incubator at 22degrees C for 7 days. The effects of Z-DEVD-FMK on the functionality of platelets were analyzed by assessing their ability to bind to von Willebrand factor (vWF) and to aggregate in the presence of arachidonic acid and ristocetin. Cell survival was surveyed by MTT assay. RESULTS: At day 4 of storage, ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation was significantly higher in the inhibitor-treated (test) than in control samples; the difference was not significant at day 7. There was no significant difference in arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation between test and control samples. However, at day 7 of storage, the binding of platelets to vWF was significantly higher in test than in control samples. The MTT assay revealed significantly higher viability in test than in control samples at both days of study. CONCLUSION: Treatment of platelets with caspase-3 inhibitor could increase their functionality and survival.