Prospective identification of potential factors influencing stem cell mobilization and the necessity for plerixafor use in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation

ABSTRACT Introduction: To study the efficacy and safety of single large volume leukapheresis by using generic G-CSF or G-CSF plus Plerixafor in achieving adequate stem cell yield and various factors influencing thereof in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplant . Method: This prospective study was undertaken among 55 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplant and aged between 18 and 75 years. Mobilization and harvesting of stem cells were performed by using GCSF or GCSF plus Plerixafor and large volume leukapheresis, respectively. A stem cell yield of ≥2 × 106 kg-1 and the number of apheresis procedures were primary efficacy endpoints, while the ideal stem cells yield >5 × 106 kg-1, the engraftment day and D100 response/graft sustainability were secondary endpoints. Result: The primary endpoint was achieved in all cases in both the groups by using a single LVL leukapheresis procedure. Fulfillment of all the secondary endpoints was satisfactory and comparable in both the groups. Age, pre-apheresis CD34+ count and number of interruptions during the LVL were significant factors influencing the stem cell yield (p < 0.05). Adverse drug reactions during the apheresis and post-ASCT period were manageable. Conclusion: The LVL is safe and cost-effective in attaining a minimum of CD34+ cells in a single procedure with manageable adverse reactions. Judicious intervention during the procedure may be helpful in ensuring the adequate yield.

Parâmetros cinéticos de linhagens de levedura isoladas de alambiques mineiros / Kinetic parameters of yeasts strains isolated from cachaça distilleries in Minas Gerais/Brazil

Foram isoladas leveduras prevalescentes de dois alambiques, em Betim e Rio Manso/MG, por meio de plaqueamento (WLN) e caracterizadas segundo a macromorfologia de colônias, após 8 dias de incubação a 32ºC. A amostra de Rio Manso apresentou 4 linhagens dominantes, com concentrações entre 2,0 x 10(7) e 4,0 x 10(5) UFC/mL. No alambique de Betim foram isoladas três linhagens dominantes, com contagens entre 1,3 x 10(8) e 2,0 x 10(4) UFC/mL. Foram determinados a velocidade específica máxima de crescimento (µmax) e o fator de conversão de substrato em biomassa (Yx/s) para dois isolados. Os valores de μmax foram 0,24 e 0,4 h-1, sendo que a linhagem RM01 apresentou maior valor. Para Yx/s, os resultados obtidos pelas linhagens RM01 e CV01 foram 0,179 e 0,185 g.g-1, respectivamente. Verificou-se uma semelhança nos resultados entre as linhagens RM01 e CV01. Concluiu-se que, do ponto de vista de μmax e de Yx/s, a melhor linhagem para produção de cachaça é a RM01.

Predominant yeasts of two cachaça distilleries were isolated in the cities of Betim and Rio Manso, in the State of Minas Gerais and characterized using WLN agar, according to colony morphology, after 8 days of imcubation at 32ºC. The sample from Rio Manso presented 4 dominant yeasts with concentrations between 2.0 x 10(7) and 4.0 x 10(5) CFU/mL. At Betim distillery, three dominant yeasts were isolated with cell density between 1.3 x 10(8) and 2.0 x 10(4) CFU/mL. The values of the maximum specific velocity for growth (µmax) and the conversion factor for substrate into cells (Yx/s) were determined for two isolates. The μmax values were 0.24 and 0.4 h-1, being RM01 strain the one with the highest value. Regarding to Yx/s, the results obtained by strains RM01 and CV01 were 0.179 and 0.185 g.g-1, respectively. Resemblances of results were observed between strains RM01 and CV01. It was concluded that, as far as μmax and Yx/s are concerned, the best strain to produce cachaça is RM01.

Evaluation for Cytopreservability of Manual Liquid-Based Cytology Liqui-PREP(TM) and its Application to Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology: Comparative Study with Cytospin / 대한세포병리학회지

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology is an effective tool for evaluating diseases involving the central nervous system, but his technique is usually limited by its low cellularity and poor cellular preservation. Here we compared the manual liquid-base Liqui-PREPTM (LP) to the cytospin (CS) with using a mononuclear cell suspension and we applied both methods to the CSFs of pediatric leukemia patients. The cytopresevability, in terms of cell yield and cell size, and the clinical efficacy were evaluated. When 2000 and 4000 mononuclear cells were applied, LP was superior to CS for the cell yield, 16.8% vs 1.7% (P=0.001) and 26.2% vs 3.5% (P=0.002), respectively. The mean size of the smeared cells was 10.60 micrometer in the CS, 5.01 micrometer in the LP and 6.50 micrometer in the direct smear (DS), and the size ratio was 1.7 (CS to DS), 0.8(LP to DS) and 2.1 (CS to LP), respectively. As compared to the cells in the DS, the cells in the CS were significantly enlarged, but those in the LP were slightly shrunken. Upon application to 109 CSF samples, 4 were diagnosed as positive for leukemia (positive), 4 had atypical cells and 101 were negative by CS; 6 were positive, one had atypical cells and 102 were negative by LP. For six cases, in which 4 were positive for leukemia and 2 of 4 had atypical cells by CS, they were positive by LP and they were also confirmed as positive according to the follow-up study. Three cases diagnosed as atypical cells (two by CS and one by LP), were confirmed as negative. In conclusion, these results suggest that LP is superior to CS for the cytopresevability and for rendering a definite diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid.