Effect and safety of 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 31 patients with acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the early effect and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with a 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) /myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) . Methods: From April 2021 to May 2022, 31 AML/MDS patients who received allo-HSCT with a 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen were analyzed. Results: AML (n=10), MDS-AML (n=6), CMML-AML (n=1), and MDS (n=14) were identified in 31 patients, 16 males, and 15 females, with a median age of 41 (20-55) yr. Neutrophils and platelets were successfully implanted in 31 patients (100%), with a median implantation duration of 12 (9-30) and 14 (9-42) days, respectively. During the preconditioning period, 16 patients (51.6%) developed oral mucositis, with 15 cases of Ⅰ/Ⅱ grade (48.4%) and one case of Ⅲ grade (3.2%). After transplantation, 13 patients (41.9%) developed CMV viremia, six patients (19.4%) developed hemorrhagic cystitis, and four patients (12.9%) developed a local infection. The median time of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) following transplantation was 33 (12-111) days. The cumulative incidence of aGVHD and Ⅲ/Ⅳ grade aGVHD was 41.9% (95% CI 26.9%-61.0%) and 22.9% (95% CI 13.5%-47.5%), respectively. There was no severe cGVHD, and mild and moderate chronic GVHD (cGVHD) incidence was 23.5% (95% CI 12.1%-43.6%). As of November 30, 2022, only one of the 31 patients had relapsed, with a 1-yr cumulative relapse rate (CIR) of 3.2% (95% CI 0.5%-20.7%). There was only one relapse patient death and no non-relapse deaths. The 1-yr overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 92.9% (95% CI 80.3%-100%) and 96.8% (95% CI 90.8%-100%), respectively. Conclusions: A 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen for allo-HSCT reduced relapse and was safe and feasible in treating AML/MDS.

Efficacy and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of 28 patients with hepatitis-related aplastic anemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for hepatitis-related aplastic anemia (HRAA) patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia patients who received haplo-HSCT at our center between January 2012 and June 2022. October 30, 2022 was the final date of follow-up. Results: This study included 28 HRAA patients receiving allo-HSCT, including 18 males (64.3% ) and 10 females (35.7% ), with a median age of 25.5 (9-44) years. About 17 cases of severe aplastic anemia (SAA), 10 cases of very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA), and 1 case of transfusion-dependent aplastic anemia (TD-NSAA) were identified. Among 28 patients, 15 patients received haplo-HSCT, and 13 received MSD-HSCT. The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate, the 2-year failure-free survival (FFS) rate, the 2-year transplant-related mortality (TRM) rate, the 100-day grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) cumulative incidence rate, and the 2-year chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) cumulative incidence rate were 81.4%, 81.4% (95% CI 10.5% -20.6% ), 14.6% (95% CI 5.7% -34.3% ), 25.0% (95% CI 12.8% -45.4% ), and 4.2% (95% CI 0.6% -25.4% ), respectively. After transplantation, all patients had no significant liver function damage. Compared with the MSD-HSCT group, only the incidence of cytomegaloviremia was significantly higher in the haplo-HSCT group [60.0% (95% CI 35.2% -84.8% ) vs 7.7% (95% CI 0-22.2% ), P=0.004]. No statistically significant difference in the Epstein-Barr virus was found in the 2-year OS, 2-year FFS, 2-year TRM, and 100-day grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD cumulative incidence rates and 2-year cGVHD cumulative incidence rate. Conclusion: Allo-HSCT is safe and effective for HRAA, and haplo-HSCT can be used as a safe and effective alternative for newly diagnosed HRAA patients who cannot obtain HLA-matched sibling donors.

Efficacy of basiliximab in the treatment of 87 cases of steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent acute graft-versus-host disease / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of basiliximab in the treatment of steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent acute graft-versus-host disease (SR/SD-aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: Clinical data of 87 patients with SR/SD-aGVHD in the skin, intestine, and liver after allo-HSCT at the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital Transplantation Center from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The administration plan of basiliximab was as follows: 20 mg for adults and children weighing ≥35 kg and 10 mg for children weighing<35 kg. The drug was administered once on the 1st, 4th, and 8th days, respectively, and then once weekly. The efficacy was evaluated on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days after basiliximab treatment. Results: ①There were 51 males (58.6%) and 36 females (41.4%) , with a median (range) age of 34 (4-63) years. There were 54 cases of classic aGVHD, 33 of late aGVHD, 49 of steroid-refractory aGVHD, and 38 of steroid-dependent aGVHD. ②Thirty-five patients (40.2%) achieved complete remission (CR) , 23 (26.4%) achieved partial remission (PR) , and 29 had no remission (NR) . The total effective rate[overall response rate (ORR) ] was 66.7% (58/87) . ③The ORR of the classic and late aGVHD groups was 77.8% (42/54) and 48.5% (16/33) , respectively. ④The median (range) follow-up time was 154 (4-1813) days, the 6-month overall survival (OS) rate of the 87 patients was 44.8% (95% CI 39.5%-50.1%) and the 1-year OS was 39.4% (95%CI 34.2%-44.3%) . ⑤After treatment with basiliximab, the 6-month OS in the CR (35 cases) , PR (23 cases) , and NR (29 cases) groups was 80.0% (95%CI 73.2%-86.8%) , 39.1% (95%CI 28.9%-49.3%) , and 6.9% (95%CI 2.2%-11.6%) , respectively (χ(2)=34.679, P<0.001) , and the 1-year OS was 74.3% (95%CI 66.9%-81.7%) , 30.4% (95%CI 20.8%-40.0%) , and 3.4% (95%CI 0%-6.8%) , respectively (χ(2)=43.339, P<0.001) . The OS of the classic and late aGVHD groups was 57.4% (95%CI 50.7%-64.1%) and 24.2% (95%CI 16.7%-31.7%) , respectively (χ(2)=9.109, P=0.004) , and the 1-year OS was 51.9% (95%CI 45.1%-58.7%) and 18.2% (95%CI 11.5%-24.9%) , respectively (χ(2)=9.753, P=0.003) . ⑥Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that late aGVHD (OR=3.121, 95%CI 1.770-5.503, P<0.001) , Minnesota score high-risk group before medication (OR=3.591, 95%CI 1.931-6.679, P<0.001) , active infection before medication (OR=1.881, 95%CI 1.029-3.438, P=0.040) , and impairment of important organ function caused by non-GVHD (OR=3.100, 95%CI 1.570-6.121, P=0.001) were independent risk factors affecting the efficacy of basiliximab. Conclusion: Basiliximab has good efficacy and safety for SR/SD-aGVHD, but not in patients with late aGVHD, high-risk group of Minnesota score, and infection or impaired function of important organs.

Long non-coding RNA potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 overlapping transcript 1 regulates the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells by targeting miR-24-3p / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aims to explore the effect and molecular mechanism of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).@*METHODS@#The hPDLSCs of normal periodontal tissues were isolated and cultured. The mineralized solution induced the osteoblast differentiation of hPDLSCs. The down-regulation of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, the overexpression of anti-miR-24-3p on the proliferation and the levels of osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of hPDLSCs were investigated. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the levels of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, miR-24-3p, OCN, OPN, and ALP. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method was used to detect cell viability and activity. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT. Western blot was used to detect protein expression. The targeted relationship between lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 and miR-24-3p was detected by double-luciferase experiment.@*RESULTS@#The expression level of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 increased, and that of miR-24-3p decreased during the osteogenesis of hPDLSCs (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Down-regulation of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 inhibited the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs by targeting the up-regulated expression of miR-24-3p.

Outcomes of 138 myelodysplastic syndrome patients with HLA-matched sibling donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients who received HLA-matched sibling donor allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (MSD-PBSCT) . Methods: The clinical data of 138 MDS patients received MSD-PBSCT from Sep. 2005 to Dec. 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and the overall survival (OS) rate, disease-free survival (DFS) rate, relapse rate (RR) , non-relapse mortality (NRM) rate and the related risk factors were explored. Results: ①After a median follow-up of 1 050 (range 4 to 4 988) days, the 3-year OS and DFS rates were (66.6±4.1) % and (63.3±4.1) %, respectively. The 3-year cumulative incidence of RR and NRM rates were (13.9±0.1) % and (22.2±0.1) %, respectively. ②Univariate analysis showed that patients with grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) or hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT-CI) ≥2 points or patients in very high-risk group of the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) had significantly decreased OS[ (42.9±13.2) %vs (72.9±4.2) %, χ(2)=8.620, P=0.003; (53.3±7.6) %vs (72.6±4.7) %, χ(2)=6.681, P=0.010; (53.8±6.8) %vs (76.6±6.2) %vs (73.3±7.7) %, χ(2)=6.337, P=0.042]. For MDS patients with excess blasts-2 (MDS-EB2) and acute myeloid leukemia patients derived from MDS (MDS-AML) , pre-transplant chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents (HMA) therapy could not improve the OS rate[ (60.4±7.8) %vs (59.2±9.6) %, χ(2)=0.042, P=0.838]. ③Multivariate analysis indicated that the HCT-CI was an independent risk factor for OS and DFS (P=0.012, HR=2.108, 95%CI 1.174-3.785; P=0.008, HR=2.128, 95%CI 1.219-3.712) . Conclusions: HCT-CI was better than the IPSS-R in predicting the outcomes after transplantation. The occurrence of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD is a poor prognostic factor for OS. For patients of MDS-EB2 and MDS-AML, immediate transplantation was recommended instead of receiving pre-transplant chemotherapy or HMA therapy.

Comparative Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Viola yedoensis by Needle Trap,Static Headspace and Hydrodistillation Methods Coupled with GC-MS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To systemically investigate the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Viola yedoensis, and to compare the VOCs differences of V. yedoensis obtained by the needle trap, static headspace and hydrostillation methods. Method: The needle trap, static headspace and hydrostillation methods coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) were developed for isolation and identification of the VOCs in V. yedoensis. The relative content of each component was obtained by peak area normalization with a triple-bed needle packed with Tenax, Carbopack X and Carboxen 1000 sorbents. Result: The 112 compounds were trapped by using needle trap, mainly moderate volatile components, including aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenoids and aromatic compounds. The static headspace and hydrodistillation methods were allowed to obtain 37 (mainly the high-volatile components) and 78 compounds (mainly low-volatile components), respectively. Only 13 common volatile components were detected in all these three methods. Conclusion: The results clearly demonstrated that the needle trap method is an alternative method for sampling VOCs of herbs, characterized by fast analysis, simple operation, good enrichment effect and high sensitivity.These three methods for VOCs analysis are complementary for each other.

Outcomes and prognostic factors of myelodysplastic syndrome patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors of myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS) patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: 165 cases of MDS who underwent allo-HSCT from Jan. 2010 to Mar. 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, focusing on the overall survival (OS) , disease free survival (DFS) , relapse, non-relapse mortality (NRM) and their related risk factors. Results: Of all the 165 cases, 105 were male and 60 were female. The 3-year OS and DFS rate were 72.5% (95%CI 64.9%-80.1%) and 67.4% (95%CI 59.17%-75.63%) , respectively. The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse and NRM were 12.11% (95%CI 7.03%-18.65%) and 20.44% (95%CI 14.15%-27.56%) , respectively. HCT-comorbidity index (P=0.042, HR=2.094, 95%CI 1.026-4.274) was identified as independent risk factor for OS by the multivariate analysis. Intensive chemotherapy before HSCT or hypomethylation agents treatment had no effects on OS[ (67.0±7.5) %vs (57.7±10.9) %, χ(2)=0.025, P=0.874]. Conclusions: allo-HSCT is a promising means for MDS, and NRM is the major cause of treatment failure. MDS with refractory anemia with excess blasts and secondary acute myeloid leukemia patients may not benefit from intensive chemotherapy or hypomethylation agents treatment before HSCT.

Decitabine-based conditioning regimen is feasible and effective in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of decitabine-based conditioning regimen in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) , acute myeloid leukemia secondary to MDS (MDS-AML) or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) . Methods: From March 1, 2013 to May 25, 2015, 22 patients who underwent allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with decitabine-based conditioning regimen were analyzed retrospectively. Results: ①22 patients, 14 males and 8 females with a median age of 42.5 (24-56) years old, were diagnosed as MDS (n=14) , CMML (n=4) , MDS-AML (n=4) . ②15 patients were treated with the conditioning regimen of decitabine combined with busulfan, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, and cytarabine, the other 7 cases were treated with decitabine, busulfan, fludarabine, and cytarabine. The dose of decitabine was 20 mg·m(-2)·d(-1) for 5 days.Rabbit anti-human anti-thymocyte globulin (2.5 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) for 4 days) was involved in conditioning regimen in patients with unrelated donor or haploidentical transplantation. ③Except 1 patient died of infection in 2 months after transplantation, the other patients were engrafted successfully. The median time of granulocyte engraftment was 13 (12-18) days, and the median time of platelet engraftment was 16 (13-81) days. ④The incidence of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) was (41.3±10.6) %, and severe aGVHD (grade of III-IV) was (18.4±9.7) %. The incidence of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) was (56.4±11.3) %, and extensive cGVHD was (36.4±12.1) %. ⑤8 patients were suffered with cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia. Among the 18 patients with definitely infection, 6 occurred during myelosuppression and 12 cases occurred after hematopoietic reconstruction. The 2-year and 3-year non-relapse mortality was (13.9±7.4) % and (24.3±9.5) %, respectively. ⑥The 2-year and 3-year overall survival (OS) was (77.3±8.9) % and (67.9±10.0) %, respectively. The 2-year and 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was (72.7±9.5) % and (63.6±10.3) %, respectively. Conclusions: allo-HSCT with decitabine-based conditioning regimen is feasible in the treatment of MDS, MDS-AML or CMML.

Prognostic significance of early phase donor chimerism after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic significance of early phase full donor chimerism (FDC) after myeloablative allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT). Methods: The clinical data of 72 hematological patients received myeloablative allo-PBSCT from Feb. 2016 to Jul. 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The median age was 36.5 years (range 4-59), 44 were males and 28 females. Of the donors, there were 35 HLA matched sibling donors, 27 haploidentical donors and 10 unrelated donors. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of short tandem repeat sequence (PCR-STR) was used to detect donor cell chimerism (DC) rate of recipient bone marrow at one, two and three months after transplantation. Results: The median follow-up was 462 d (range: 47-805 d), 55 cases were still alive, and 45 cases were disease-free survival (DFS) at the end of follow-up. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and DFS were (68.9±7.7)% and (59.5±6.3)%, respectively. A number of 16 cases underwent relapses, with 2-year cumulative incidence of (24.1±5.3)%. The median time of recurrence was 157(32-374) d. Forty cases (55.6%) developed acute graft-versus-host diseases (aGVHD), with median time of 35.5 (13-90) d. Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) occurred in 23 patients (31.9%), with median time of 169 (94-475) d. Univariate analysis found the following factors were not related to OS, DFS or relapse rate (RR), including age, sex, blood type and sex of donor-recipient, occurrence of aGVHD and cGVHD. The OS and DFS in cases reached FDC and no FDC at two months after transplantation were (85.2±6.9)% vs (66.1±7.7)% (P=0.051) and (76.7±7.7)% vs (48.9±8.1)% (P=0.021), respectively. The RR rate in FDC group was lower than that in no FDC group [(16.6±6.8)% vs (30.4±7.8)%, P=0.187, respectively]. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the important value for predicting the prognosis with whether or not the patients reached FDC at the early phase after allo-PBSCT. The OS and DFS in cases with FDC at two months after transplantation were significantly higher than those of no FDC patients.

Application of low-dose ATG for GVHD prophylaxis in patients undergoing PBSCT aged over forty years old / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of a novel GVHD prophylaxis regimen containing low-dose anti-T lymphocyte globulin (ATG) in patients undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) from HLA-matched sibling donors (MSD) given both the patients and donors were aged over forty years old. Methods: From March 2013 to April 2017, 98 patients with hematologic malignancies were enrolled in the study. Standard GVHD prophylaxis consisted of the administration of cyclosporine A/tacrolimus and a short course of methotrexate. In ATG group, 43 patients received low-dose rabbit ATG (Sanofi, 1.5 mg/kg per day for 3 consecutive days) before PBSCT. A retrospective matched-pair analysis was performed and 55 matched controls were available. The therapeutic process and clinical outcome were retrospectively analyzed. Results: ①Neutrophil engraftment was achieved earlier in ATG group than the control one [13(11-17)d vs 14(12-24)d, P=0.001]. The time to platelet engraftment was similar between the two groups [14(11-43)d vs 15(11-42)d, P=0.071]. ②The cumulative incidence of aGVHD was significantly lower in ATG group [25.6% (95%CI 13.7%-39.3%) vs 49.1% (95%CI 35.2%-61.6%), P=0.018]. The incidences of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD [18.6% (95%CI 8.6%-31.5%) vs 23.6% (95%CI 13.4%-35.6%), P=0.509] and cGVHD [49.6% (95% CI 31.6%-65.3%) vs 56.4% (95% CI 41.4%-69.0%), P=0.221] were not significantly different between the two groups. ③The 1-year cumulative incidence of CMV viremia was similar between the two groups [21.1%(95%CI 10.3%-34.5%) vs 31.1% (95%CI 18.8%-44.2%), P=0.429]. ④The cumulative incidences of disease relapse [24.0%(95%CI 11.5%-38.9%) vs 24.0% (95% CI 12.1%-38.2%), P=0.608), non-relapse mortality [10.2% (95% CI 3.1%-22.1%) vs 21.6% (95% CI 9.4%-37.0%), P=0.411] and DFS [65.8% (95%CI 50.3%-81.3%) vs 54.4% (95%CI 37.7%-71.1%), P=0.955] were comparable between the two groups. 2-year overall survival (OS) was significantly better in ATG group than the control one [83.8% (95% CI 71.8%-90.0%) vs 58.0% (95% CI 42.2%-73.9%), P=0.019]. Conclusion: The addition of low-dose ATG decreased the incidence of aGVHD and improved OS. The incidences of viral infections and disease relapse remained to be similar between the two groups. These results suggested that elderly patients undergoing MSD-PBSCT may benefit from this low-dose ATG containing GVHD prophylaxis regimen.

Tinea unguium onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes: a ten-year (2005-2014) retrospective study in a tertiary hospital in Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Tinea unguium is a common nail infection. We conducted a retrospective ten-year study of the patient demographics and species distribution of dermatophytes causing tinea unguium in a tertiary hospital from Singapore.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Results of fungal nail cultures were retrieved from our hospital's microbiology department. Samples from nail scrapings and clippings were inoculated onto agar plates (Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and Mycosel agar). Nail specimens that grew dermatophytes were included in the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Overall, 229 (male: n = 164, 71.6%; female: n = 65, 28.4%) nail specimens grew dermatophytes. Mean patient age was 58 (range 18-93) years. A majority of specimens came from patients aged over 50 years (n = 162, 70.7%) and 60-79 years (n = 100, 43.7%). Ethnically, 160 (69.9%) patients were Chinese, 36 (15.7%) Indian, 18 (7.9%) Malay and 15 (6.6%) of other ethnicities. Among dermatophytes isolated were Trichophyton rubrum (n = 93, 40.6%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (n = 60, 26.2%), unidentified Trichophyton spp. (n = 57, 24.9%), Trichophyton tonsurans (n = 10, 4.4%), Epidermophyton floccosum (n = 5, 2.2%), Trichophyton verrucosum (n = 2, 0.9%), Trichophyton soudanense (n = 1, 0.4%) and Trichophyton violaceum (n = 1, 0.4%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A majority of isolates were from elderly patients. Compared to Singapore's general population, patients of Indian and other ethnicities were over-represented for tinea unguium when compared to Chinese and Malay patients. Trichophyton rubrum was the most common dermatophyte isolated, while Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton soudanense were rare causes of tinea unguium.</p>

Dermatological conditions seen in renal transplant recipients in a Singapore tertiary hospital

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Lifelong immunosuppression after renal transplant exerts effects on the recipients' skin, including skin infections, skin cancers and drug-induced skin disorders. Our study aimed to determine the epidemiology of skin conditions among renal transplant recipients in the largest tertiary hospital in Singapore.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We reviewed the medical records of kidney transplant recipients at Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2013. Among these patients, the clinical data of patients who sought skin consultations with either dermatologists or plastic surgeons within the hospital was captured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 178 patients were included in our study. There were 88 (45.6%) skin infections, 23 (11.9%) drug-induced skin conditions, 9 (4.7%) skin cancers and 73 (37.8%) other skin conditions. Skin infection was the predominant reason for consultation, with viral warts (15%, n = 29) being the most common. Of the nine cases in our cohort with skin cancer, there were three cases of basal cell carcinoma, three cases of Bowen's disease, two cases of extramammary Paget's disease and one case of squamous cell carcinoma. Drug-induced skin conditions, mainly attributable to long-term steroids and cyclosporin use, were represented by acne (9.3%, n = 18) and sebaceous hyperplasia (2.6%, n = 5).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study demonstrated the spectrum of skin conditions that can be expected after renal transplantation. We wish to highlight the importance of careful dermatological screening and long-term follow-up for these patients, in order to reduce post-transplant skin complications.</p>

Outcomes of Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia After Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and the Significance of Pretransplantation Minimal Residual Disease: Analysis from a Single Center of China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The postremission therapies for adult patients generally contain consolidation chemotherapy, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). Because of the various results from different centers, the optimal therapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients is still uncertain. This study aimed to better understand predictive factors and role of auto-HSCT in the postremission therapy for adult ALL patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The outcomes of 135 adult patients with ALL, who received the first auto-HSCT in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center of Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 1, 1994 to February 28, 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and simultaneous effects of multiple covariates were estimated with the Cox model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 5 years for the whole cohort were 59.1 ± 4.5% and 59.0 ± 4.4%, respectively. The cumulative nonrelapse mortality and relapse rate at 5 years were 4.5 ± 0.03% and 36.6 ± 0.19%. For both OS and DFS, acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia, high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at diagnosis, blast cell proportion ≥5% on the 15 th day of induction therapy, and extramedullary infiltration before HSCT were the poor prognosis factors. In addition, age ≥35 years predicted poor DFS. Only T-ALL and high LDH were the independent undesirable factors associated with OS and DFS in Cox regression model. For 44 patients who had results of pretransplantation minimal residual disease (MRD), positive MRD (MRD ≥0.01%) indicated poor OS (P = 0.044) and DFS (P = 0.008). Furthermore, for the standard risk group, the patients with negative MRD (MRD <0.01%) had better results (OS at 18 months was 90.0 ± 9.5%, while for the patients with positive MRD OS was 50.0 ± 35.4%, P = 0.003; DFS at 18 months was 90.0 ± 9.5%, while for the positive MRD group DFS was 0%, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study confirmed that auto-HSCT combined with posttransplantation maintenance chemotherapy could be an option for adult ALL patients and pretransplantation MRD may play a significant role in the direction of therapy for adult ALL patients.</p>

Autologous stem cell transplantation for adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and related prognostic factors / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was aimed to observe the efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and investigate related prognostic factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 86 adult ALL patients underwent ASCT in Institute of Hematology and Blood Disease Hospital from November 2001 to January 2012 were followed up. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of all patients were retrospectively analyzed. Survival and univariate prognosis were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis by COX regression model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Outcomes were assessed in 81 cases, including 47 standard-risk and 34 high-risk patients. 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) of standard-risk patients were (82.3±5.7)%, (76.9±6.5)%, (74.1±6.8)%, (67.4±8.9)% respectively,and relapse rates (RR) were as of (13.6±5.2)%, (21.6±6.4)%, (24.5±6.8)%, (31.3±9.0)% respectively. 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year LFS of high-risk patients were (55.8±8.9)%, (39.8±9.3)%, (39.8±9.3)%, (39.8±9.3)% respectively, and relapse rates (RR) were (38.8±9.2)%, (56.4±10.0)%, (56.4±10.0)%, (56.4±10.0)% respectively. T-ALL, white blood cell count(WBC) more than 30×109/L when first visited, increased LDH, positive fusion gene of TCR and bone marrow transplantation were the adverse prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis showed bone marrow transplantation was an independent adverse prognostic factor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ASCT was a choice for adult ALL patients when suitable donors were unavailable.</p>

Synergistic immunomodulatory effects of interferon-gamma and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) immunosuppressive activity in the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to reveal synergistic immunomodulatory effects of IFN-γ and MSCs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>① MSCs were cultured in the presence or absence of IFN-γ（100 ng/ml）, the supernatants were collected for measurements of PGE2、HGF and TGF-β1 by ELISA kits. ② MSCs were cultured in the presence or absence of IFN-γ （100 ng/ml）for 48 h. The cDNA was analysed for the expression of human indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase（IDO）mRNA by semiquantitative RT-PCR. ③ Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were extracted from peripheral blood of healthy donors. The T cell proliferation was tested in the co-culture system added with MSCs, recombinant human IFN-γ (100 ng/ml) and anti-IFN-γ mAb (5 μg/ml) by BrdU ELISA kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>①The immunosuppressive cytokines PGE2、HGF and TGF-β1 were detectable within 24-48 h in the supernatants. Their expressions were significantly up-regulated in the presence of IFN-γ. Concentrations of these cytokines were as of (1715.5±628.6) pg/ml vs (1344.5±709.4) pg/ml (P=0.001);(4031.8±1496.8) pg/ml vs (2452.4±1375.3) pg/ml（P=0.011）;(1753.5±413.8) pg/ml vs (1026.6±450.5) pg/ml（P<0.001）,respectively. ②The expression of IDO mRNA was undetectable when MSCs were cultured alone. In contrast, The IDO mRNA expression was remarkably enhanced in the presence of IFN-γ. ③Bone marrow-derived MSCs remarkably suppressed allogeneic T cell proliferation in vitro. Addition of exogenous IFN-γ had no significant effect on the inhibitory capacity of MSCs, the inhibitory ratios of T cell proliferation were （40.4±10.9）% vs（36.7±7.4）% (P=0.272). By contrast, the inhibitory ratio of T cell proliferation was significantly decreased in the presence of anti-IFN-γ mAb[(40.4±10.9)% vs (23.9±7.6)%,P=0.002].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>①Human MSCs constitutively expressed immunosuppressive concentrations of PGE2, HGF and TGF-β1, and their expressions were significantly up-regulated by IFN-γ. ②IFN-γ-induced expression of IDO on MSCs involved in tryptophan catabolism. ③MSCs notably suppressed allogeneic T cell proliferation in vitro. IFN-γ promoted the immunosuppressive capacity of human MSCs, indicating the synergistic immunomodulatory effect of IFN-γ and MSCs.</p>

Prophylaxis of invasive fungal infection with different administration regimens of itraconazole in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a report from a randomized, controlled trial / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of antifungal prophylaxis of itraconazole in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to probe the relationship of the antifungal effect and the adverse events with serum concentration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From April 2009 to May 2011, a total of 310 courses from 112 patients referred to our institute were enrolled in this study; of them, 297 courses were eligible for analysis. Eligible cases were randomized into oral group and injection/oral group according to different chemotherapy of induction and consolidation. Blood samples were collected at different time points for measurements of serum itraconazole levels. The morbidity of IFI and the adverse events were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The morbidities of IFI in injection/oral and oral groups were 10.1% and 20.9%, respectively (P=0.010). 7 and 9 cases in injection/oral and oral groups, respectively were withdrawn from the study because of adverse events, and the difference between these two groups was of no significance. Serum itraconazole levels of injection/oral and oral groups were 672(299-1097) μg/L and 534(210-936) μg/L, respectively (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Antifungal prophylaxis with itraconazole in AML patients was effective and safe. Prophylactic effect with injection/oral itraconazole was superior to oral itraconazole solution; moreover, prophylactic effect of itraconazole was highly correlated with its serum level.</p>

Efficient isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from human bone marrow by direct plating method combined with modified primary explant culture / 中国实验血液学杂志

Human bone marrow is the major source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). It was reported that the standard density gradient centrifugation method was not efficient in isolating MSC and it may be caused by the existing of bone marrow particles. In previous study, a lot of MSC were obtained by culturing bone marrow particles alone combined with standard method. However, it is time- and labor-consuming to obtain bone marrow particles by filtering and to isolate MNC by density gradient centrifugation. This study was purposed to explore the more simple and efficient method to isolate MSC from bone marrow. Seven normal bone marrow aspirates were collected and centrifugated. The bone marrow particles floated on surface layers were cultured by modified primary explant culture, whereas the bone marrow aspirates deposited were cultured by direct plating method, then the immun phenotype and differentiation capability of isolated cells were analyzed. The results showed that in 3 of 7 aspirates, bone marrow particles were floated on surface layers, whereas the other bone marrow cells and some particles were deposited after centrifugation. The MSC were reliably isolated from the floating layers or deposited aspirates by modified primary explant culture and direct plating method separately. After 3 passages the isolated MSC did not express CD45 and CD34, but expressed CD105, CD73, CD44, CD90, CD49e and they could differentiate into chondrocytes and adipocytes. It is concluded that normal human bone marrow MSC can be isolated simply and efficiently by direct plating method in combination with modified primary explant culture.

Analyses of risk factors for intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the risk factors of intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 534 cases of 533 patients undergoing allo-HSCT during Jan 2004 and Sep 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The effects of donor-recipient HLA mismatching, recipient age, donor age, donor-recipient sex combination, donor-recipient relationship, HSC source, conditioning regimen with or without total body irradiation (TBI) and HLA loci on intestinal aGVHD with different severity were analyzed by Logistic regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Intestinal aGVHD occurred in 123(23.0%) cases, with 86(16.1%) cases of stage 1 intestinal aGVHD(16.1%) and 37(6.9%) cases of stage 2 to 4 intestinal aGVHD. Multivariate analysis showed that donor-recipient HLA mismatching (OR=2.519, P=0.002), increasing donor age (OR=1.034, P=0.003), female donor for male recipient (OR=1.855, P=0.007) were risk factors for intestinal aGVHD, HLA-B38 (OR=0.256, P=0.032) was its protective factor. Donor-recipient HLA mismatching (OR=2.799, P=0.011), increasing donor age (OR=1.045, P=0.012), HLA-A1 (OR=4.157, P=0.002), A30 (OR=3.143, P=0.005) were risk factors for stage 2 to 4 intestinal aGVHD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Occurrence of intestinal aGVHD and its severity are associated with donor-recipient HLA mismatching, donor age, donor-recipient sex relationships and some HLA loci.</p>

Risk factors and prognosis of invasive fungal infections in patients with hematological diseases / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the incidence, risk factors, prognosis and high risk patients of invasive fungal infections (IFI) in patients with hematological diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>: Over 2-week hospitalized patients from January 2007 to December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of IFI, and recursive partitioning to reveal high risk patients. Incidence of IFI was estimated by cumulative incidence function, and the prognosis by Kaplan-Meier method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 1048 assessable treatment cycles were recorded and 93 cases of IFI were diagnosed, with an incidence of 8.87 per 100 treatment cycles. Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following risk factors: age (OR 1.025, 95% CI 1.010-1.041, P = 0.002), duration of neutropenia (OR 1.028, 95% CI 1.014-1.042, P < 0.0001) and uncontrolled underlying diseases (OR 2.620, 95% CI 1.608-4.268, P = 0.0001). Recursive partitioning found two groups of high risk patients: (1) patients with uncontrolled underlying diseases and neutropenia duration > or = 58 days (7/12, 58.3%), (2) patients with uncontrolled underlying diseases and age > or = 33 years (40/208, 19.2%). At the end of follow-up, 111 cases of IFI were recorded in 451 patients, with a 1-year cumulative incidence of 27.1%. In patients with established IFI, overall survival rate and IFI related mortality rate at 12 weeks after diagnosis were 83.4% and 13.5% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Age, duration of neutropenia and uncontrolled underlying diseases are risk factors of IFI; patients with uncontrolled underlying diseases and age > or = 33 years were at high risk of IFI and need major concern. IFI has a better prognosis and a lower related mortality in this study.</p>

Isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow filters by primary explant culture / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can be isolated from bone marrow filters which have always been discarded. The bone marrow (BM) particles from BM filters of 2 healthy donors were cultivated by primary explant culture. After expansion, the number of MSC was counted and their immunophenotype and differentiation potential were detected. The results indicated that many MSC were found in bone marrow particles from filters, and nearly 10(7) MSC were obtained at 3 passages of expansion. They not only possessed the characteristics of morphology and immunophenotype of MSC, but also could differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. In conclusion, a large amount of MSC can be obtained from BM filters if the BM particles were cultivated by primary explant culture.