Donors' health state the year after peripheral haematopoietic progenitor cell collection: A prospective follow-up study in related and unrelated donors compared to first-time platelet donors.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral haematopoietic progenitor cells collected by apheresis (HPC-A) are the most common source used for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Retrospective short and long-term donor follow-up studies show very low risks of serious complications and do not report compelling evidence of increased cancer occurrence. Some studies reported a prolonged period of leucopenia without an obvious association with infectious complications. However, beyond the first few weeks after the procedure a relationship between events is elusive. We therefore evaluated medical service utilization by prospectively recruited HPC-A donors and first-time platelet apheresis donors for comparison for 1 year after donation. Data were prospectively collected using questionnaires and by medical record review. A total of 215 HPC-A donors (111 unrelated donors and 104 related donors) and 96 first-time platelet donors consented to participation in the study. Follow-up was available for 202 (96%): questionnaires were returned by 74% and records from nonstudy contacts were available for 94% of donors. During the 1-year follow-up, 94 of the donors who returned questionnaires sought medical attention for diagnostic evaluation and/or treatment: 41% of HPC-A donors and 40% of platelet donors. Medical service utilization the first year after HPC-A donation is similar to that after first-time platelet donation. The occurrence of serious medical conditions in both related and unrelated HPC-A donors underscores the importance of participation in long-term follow-up in large cohorts. The findings in this relatively small cohort contribute to evidence on the safety of G-CSF mobilization and HPC-A. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:523-528, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hyperacute Vasospasm After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage typically occurs 3-14 days after aneurysm rupture. We describe a series of patients who developed vasospasm within minutes of aneurysm rupture. This phenomenon, which we term, "hyperacute vasospasm," has been reported in animal models of SAH, but hitherto has been poorly described in humans. METHODS: Eleven patients were identified from an institutional registry who had aneurysmal rupture during catheter cerebral angiography between 1997 and 2009. We quantified the degree of vasoconstriction using vascular diameter index (VDI). The change in VDI (delta VDI or DVDI) was calculated by determining the difference in VDI before and after the procedure. We also examined the relationship between hyperacute vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. RESULTS: Ten of eleven (91%) patients with intraoperative aneurysm rupture had cerebral vasoconstriction within minutes of intra-procedural aneurysmal rupture. Six of eleven patients (55%) with hyperacute vasospasm developed delayed cerebral infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperacute vasospasm is likely common in patients with intraoperative aneurysm rupture and may be an unrecognized element of the natural history of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this limited series, there was an association between hyperacute vasospasm and delayed cerebral infarction.

Induction of graft-versus-leukemia to prevent relapse after partially lymphocyte-depleted allogeneic bone marrow transplantation by pre-emptive donor leukocyte infusions.

In this prospective study we analyzed pre-emptive donor leukocyte infusions (DLI) in 82 consecutive patients transplanted with partially T cell-depleted grafts for acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, refractory anemia with excess of blasts, refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation and multiple myeloma. Donors were HLA-identical siblings. Patients without significant acute (>grade 1) and/or chronic GVHD were scheduled to be treated with DLI (35 patients) and 31 actually received DLI. Patients who developed acute GVHD >grade 1 and/or chronic GVHD were not scheduled to receive DLI and served as a comparison group (47 patients). The median interval between BMT and DLI was 22 weeks. The first six patients received 0.7 x 10(8) CD3+ cells/kg body weight (b.w.). Five out of these six patients developed acute GVHD (grade 1: n = 2, grade 3: n = 2 and grade 4: n= 1) which was more frequent and more severe than we had anticipated. In the next 25 patients the number of T lymphocytes was diminished to 0.1 x 10(8) CD3+ cells/kg b.w. which resulted in less frequent and less severe GVHD. Eight patients in this group developed acute GVHD (grade 1: n = 4, grade 2: n = 4) and three patients had limited chronic GVHD. Patients in the DLI group needed more time to establish complete donor chimerism confirmed by a higher number of mixed chimeras at 6 months after BMT. The projected 3-year probability of disease-free survival was 77% for the 35 patients intended to treat with DLI and 45% for the patients of the comparison group (P = 0.024). Relapse rate at 36 months after transplantation was 18% in the patients who were intended to treat with DLI and 44% in the comparison group (P = 0.026). We conclude that pre-emptive DLI is feasible and generates favorable relapse rates in patients who are at high risk for relapse. Furthermore, the incidence and severity of GVHD disease after DLI is dependent on the number of CD3+ cells infused.

A holistic approach to promoting success on NCLEX-RN.

The nursing faculty at the State University of West Georgia views individuals as an integration of body-mind-spirit. Our program's commitment complements efforts to teach students to honor the body, mind, and spirit of patients. Within this framework, faculty recognize that factors other than nursing knowledge impact students' ability to pass NCLEX-RN. An intervention program was designed that incorporated these factors. "Preparation for Licensure" was implemented as a holistic nursing course to intervene with students' learning and testing needs. The purpose was to increase self-awareness, promote a positive attitude toward passing the NCLEX-RN, and provide specific strategies for test taking and stress reduction. Posttest raw scores and percent correct on the Mosby Assess Test were significantly higher (p < .05) than pretest scores. Qualitative analysis of journal data exploring the students' experience of participating in the course revealed three themes: Perfectionism, Self-Worth, and Consequences and Meaning of Failure.

Red blood cell phenotyping is a sensitive technique for monitoring chronic myeloid leukaemia patients after T-cell-depleted bone marrow transplantation and after donor leucocyte infusion.

Fifteen consecutive patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) who relapsed from T-cell-depleted bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were successfully treated with donor leucocyte infusions (DLIs). Chimaerism was analysed using red blood cell phenotyping (RCP), and the results were compared with cytogenetic analysis and outcome of qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for breakpoint molecules. In all patients, an increase in autologous erythrocytes and/or a decrease in donor red cells indicated relapse. Donor erythrocytes started to increase from 4 to 20 (median 12) weeks after DLI. At 6 and 12 months after DLI, complete donor chimaerism was found in 11 and 15 patients, respectively, and all patients were in cytogenic remission. A high percentage of autologous red cells at the time of DLI predicted pancytopenia. During relapse and after DLI, the percentage of autologous red cells was strongly correlated with the reappearance and disappearance of Ph-positive metaphases (r = 0.90; P < 0.001 and r = 0.96; P < 0.001 respectively). The same was true for the correlation between the percentage of autologous red cells and positivity/negativity in PCR for Bcr-Abl breakpoint molecules (r = 0.94; P < 0.001). A normalized Bcr-Abl dose of greater than 10-3 in real-time quantitative PCR correlated well with relapse and the presence of autologous red blood cells (r = 0.77; P < 0.001). We conclude that RCP is a sensitive, easy to perform and fast technique for the prediction of pending relapse after BMT for CML. RCP also predicts the response to DLI and the occurrence of bone marrow aplasia after DLI.

In relapsed patients after lymphocyte depleted bone marrow transplantation the percentage of donor T lymphocytes correlates well with the outcome of donor leukocyte infusion.

Donor leukocyte infusions (DLI) from the original marrow donor have been shown to induce remission in patients with relapse after BMT. We analyzed factors that were associated with remission. Twenty-six patients with a relapse after T cell depleted BMT received DLI. The following pre-DLI factors were analyzed: sex and age of the patients and donors, GVHD after BMT, indication for DLI, percentage of donor T lymphocytes in the patient at the time of DLI, interval between relapse and DLI, and number of T lymphocytes infused. Remission was achieved in 11 of 15 patients (73%) treated for relapsed CML and in one of 11 patients (9%) treated for relapsed AML, ALL or RAEB-t (P = .002). Two of 13 patients (15%) with < or =40% of T lymphocytes from donor origin attained remission compared with 10 of 13 patients (77%) with >40% (P = .002). Two of 13 patients (15%) with an interval of < or =18 months between BMT and first DLI entered remission compared with 10 of 13 patients (77%) with an interval of >18 months (P = .002). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that indication for DLI (CML versus AML/ALL and RAEB-t) and the percentage T lymphocytes from donor origin (< or =40 versus >40) were significantly correlated with remission (P = .03). The occurrence of GVHD post DLI was highly associated with achievement of remission (P = .0001). DLI res ults in remission in a high percentage of patients with relapsed CML after BMT. The percentage of T lymphocytes from donor origin still present in the patient at the time of DLI is highly correlated with achievement of remission.

The effect of holism on the health care system.

Despite controversy over its scientific basis, the holistic health movement is having a tremendous impact upon society. With the establishment of the Office of Alternative Medicine within the National Institutes of Health, needed research will provide data to support the validity of various alternative modalities. A growing number of physicians will incorporate the philosophy of holistic health into the current medical model, with some choosing to treat clients with alternative modalities. Finally, consumer demand will lead to an increase in third-party reimbursement for alternative medical treatments.

Outcome of transplantation for standard-risk leukaemia with grafts depleted of lymphocytes after conditioning with an intensified regimen.

One hundred and eighty-one consecutive patients with standard-risk leukaemia were transplanted with HLA-identical sibling grafts depleted of lymphocytes using counter-flow centrifugation. In 116 patients, standard conditioning was intensified by the addition of anthracyclines. Multivariate analysis revealed significantly more acute GVHD > or = grade 2 and a trend towards more chronic GVHD in patients conditioned with the addition of anthracyclines. For all patients the risk for chronic GVHD, but not for acute GVHD increased with a higher number of T cells in the graft. The projected 5-year probability of relapse was significantly lower in the group of patients conditioned with anthracyclines; 26% versus 52% (P = 0.015). In multivariate analysis the addition of anthracyclines to the conditioning regimen was the only significant factor contributing to a lower probability of relapse. The projected 5-year probability of leukaemia-free survival [LFS] in the patients conditioned with and without the addition of anthracyclines was 56% and 36%, respectively (P = 0.004). In multivariate analysis the addition of anthracyclines to the conditioning regimen correlated significantly with a lower number of mixed chimaeras in patients at 6 and 12 months after BMT. Mixed chimaerism at 6 months after transplantation did not significantly correlate with a higher incidence of relapse in further follow-up. In contrast, mixed chimaerism at 12 months after BMT was significantly associated with higher relapse rate. We conclude that the addition of anthracyclines to the conditioning regimen improves outcome of BMT using T-cell-depleted grafts.

Survival in first or second remission after lymphocyte-depleted transplantation for Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML in first chronic phase.

We studied the outcome of BMT in 38 consecutive CML patients in CP1 who received transplants depleted of lymphocytes using counterflow centrifugation. In all patients the conditioning regimen was intensified by the addition of anthracyclines. Donors were HLA, MLC-identical siblings. Six patients (16%) died within 6 months. All 37 patients with a follow-up of more than 0.5 months engrafted and only one (3%) suffered from acute GVHD > or = grade 3. Chronic GVHD was evaluable in 33 patients and was extensive in six (18%). The projected 5-year probabilities of hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular relapse were 30% (95% confidence interval (CI), 10-49%), 35% (95% CI, 14-56%), and 34% (95% CI, 13-55%), respectively. The projected 5-year probability of survival was 68% (95% CI, 50-86%). Projected at 5 years, probabilities of leukemia-free survival (LFS) in hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular remission were 55% (95% CI, 37-73%), 51% (95% CI, 32-69%), and 51% (95% CI, 32-70%), respectively. All patients with relapse but one who relapsed in blastic phase were treated with retransplantation (n = 1) or with the infusion of lymphocytes (n = 6). Six patients regained second hematologic remission and five entered second cytogenetic and molecular remission. Including these patients, the probability of survival in first or second hematologic remission at the end of follow-up was 68% (95% CI, 50-86%). The probabilities of survival in first or second cytogenetic and molecular remission at the end of follow-up were both 61% (95% CI, 42-80%). We advocate revaluation of T cell depletion of donor marrow for patients with CML-CP1, especially for those at high risk of developing GVHD.

Specificity of indexes of malnutrition when applied to apparently healthy people: the effect of age.

Protein-energy malnutrition is thought to be widespread in hospitalized patients. However, the specificity of indexes used to assess malnutrition is uncertain. We therefore assessed the rate of false-positive diagnoses of malnutrition when biochemical-anthropometric indexes were applied to healthy subjects. Nutritional status was assessed in 175 healthy blood donors (aged 44.2 +/- 13.4 y) and in 34 highly fit elderly volunteers (aged 74.7 +/- 3.6 y) participating in the Nijmegen Four Days Walking March. We investigated both the Nutritional Risk Index [(1.489 x albumin) + (41.7 x present/usual weight)] and the Maastricht Index [20.68-(0.24 x albumin, g/L)-(19.21 x serum transthyretin, g/L)-(1.86 x lymphocytes, 10(6)/L)-(0.04 x ideal weight)]. We found previously that 52-64% of nonsurgical hospitalized patients were malnourished according to these indexes. In the present study, 1.9% of the 209 volunteers had apparent malnutrition according to the Nutritional Risk Index and 3.8% according to the Maastricht Index. The prevalence of apparent malnutrition in the elderly volunteers was 5.9% and 20.6%, respectively. The rate of false-positive diagnoses was acceptably low in those aged < 70 y with both the Nutritional Risk Index and the Maastricht Index; therefore, the use of these indexes will not cause a clinically significant increase in the prevalence of malnutrition because patients who are not malnourished are included. The high percentage of spurious malnutrition in the elderly limits the use of the Maastricht Index to subjects aged < 70 y.

[The case of a 27-year old patient's survival with CREST syndrome]. / Przypadek 27-letniego przezycia pacjentki z zespolem CREST.

The case of CREST-syndrome in a course of scleroderma was described. The authors discussed new methods of therapy of this disease as well as emphasized the long survival time and noninvasive cure methods.

[The success of lymphocyte infusion as treatment of leukemia recurrence following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation depends on low percentage of patient's own lymphocytes]. / Succes van infusie met lymfocyten als behandeling van leukemierecidief na allogene beenmergtransplantatie is afhankelijk van een laag percentage eigen lymfocyten.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of induction of complete remission with infusion of lymphocytes from the original bone marrow donor in patients with leukaemia which relapsed after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. SETTING: Division of Haematology, University Hospital Nijmegen and the Red Cross Blood Bank Nijmegen, the Netherlands. DESIGN: Prospective, non-randomized study. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients who relapsed after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation were treated with infusion of lymphocytes from the original bone marrow donor. Lymphocytes were collected by means of leukapheresis. Follow-up was done by frequent checks at the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: Eleven of 15 (73%) patients with relapsed chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and only one of 13 patients (8%) with a relapse of acute leukaemia went into complete remission (p < 0.001). Entering complete remission was always preceded by acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The development of acute and/or chronic GVHD was significantly associated with the origin of T-lymphocytes in the blood of the recipient at the time of infusion. If the T-lymphocytes came mostly from the patient himself, the infusion remained usually without effect. If the T-lymphocytes came mostly from the donor, the patients went into complete remission. CONCLUSION: Patients with a relapse of leukaemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation may enter complete remission after infusion of lymphocytes from the original marrow donor. This form of immunotherapy can be successful especially in patients with a relapsed CML with a relatively low percentage of autologous T-lymphocytes at the time of infusion.

Composition of the essential oil of the flower heads of Matricaria perforata.

The essential oil of the flower heads of scentless mayweed (M. perforata Mérat) was investigated. It consists of more than 50 compounds; 26 of them, together representing about 95.2% of the total oil, were identified by GC, GC/MS, and partly by 1H-NMR and UV. They can be classified into polyacetylenes (88.8%), sesquiterpenoids (5.8%), monoterpenoids (0.1%), fatty acids (0.3%), and miscellaneous compounds (5.0%). The oil was dominated by 2Z,8Z-matricaria ester (ME; 75.2%), which was accompanied by several other characteristic polyines, occurring in much lower concentrations: e.g. 8Z-2,3-dihydro-ME, 2E- and 2Z-lachnophyllum ester, 2E-dehydro-ME, and 5E,9Z-matricaria lactone.

Erythrocyte repopulation after major ABO incompatible transplantation with lymphocyte-depleted bone marrow.

Forty-four out of 258 allogeneic BMT were performed across the major ABO barrier. Donor erythrocyte repopulation could be evaluated in 30 cases. Fifty-eight patients transplanted with an ABO compatible or minor incompatible graft served as the control group. All patients received a marrow graft depleted of lymphocytes by counterflow centrifugation. Less than 10(8) residual erythrocytes were present in the graft. Cyclosporin A was used as immunoprophylaxis after transplantation. Erythrocyte repopulation was measured using a fluorescent microsphere method. An adapted transfusion policy was applied. Eight out of 30 patients (27%) with major ABO incompatibility had no detectable donor erythrocytes 2 months after BMT. Up to 3 months after BMT donor erythrocyte repopulation was significantly delayed in the ABO incompatible group (P < or = 0.03). Significantly more erythrocyte transfusions were required in the ABO incompatible group (P < 0.001). Six patients with blood group O (20%) developed pure red cell aplasia which resolved in five without therapeutic intervention. In these six patients anti-A antibody titers were persistently high the first 3 months after BMT. This was in contrast with 22 patients with timely recovery of erythropoiesis in whom anti-A and anti-B antibody titers showed a steady decrease after BMT. The incidence of immunohematological complications in these patients who received a lymphocyte depleted major ABO incompatible graft is similar (20%) to the incidence reported in the literature. Serious morbidity related to major ABO incompatibility did not occur.

Donor leukocyte infusions for chronic myeloid leukemia relapsed after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

PURPOSE: Treatment options for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are limited. Treatment with lymphocytes from the original marrow donor and the influence on the malignant clone was studied in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients with CML that had relapsed after BMT with T-cell-depleted grafts were treated. Six patients received leukocyte infusions from the original marrow donor. One patient received a second BMT with unseparated marrow from the same sibling donor. Chimerism was studied using erythrocyte and cytogenetic markers. Residual leukemic cells were monitored by cytogenetic analysis of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the breakpoint cluster region/Abelson (BCR-ABL) fusion gene. RESULTS: In five patients with hematologic relapse, the Ph chromosome disappeared 1 to 3 months after the leukocyte infusions. Cytogenetic analysis and in situ hybridization (ISH) showed only donor cells during further follow-up. Four to five patients became negative for the BCR-ABL translocation by PCR. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) always preceded response and was severe in two patients. One patient with cytogenetic relapse showed no response after leukocyte infusions. GVHD after second BMT was of moderate severity. One year after second BMT, PCR for the BCR-ABL translocation was negative. CONCLUSION: Infusion of donor leukocytes is an effective treatment with a low mortality in patients with CML relapsed after BMT with a T-cell-depleted graft. Longer follow-up and more patients will be needed to know whether cure will be permanent.

Preparation of random donor leukocyte-poor platelets by cytapheresis.

Platelet refractoriness in treatment of multitransfused patients with haematologic malignancies can be delayed or prevented by transfusing leukocyte-poor platelet concentrates. Absence of consensus about the number of residual leukocytes that leads to a delay or prevention of HLA-antibody formation, may be based on a lack of sampling for determination of leukocyte contamination levels in platelet concentrates. From data presented in this study we conclude that if every preparation of platelets is also tested for platelet count, it reduces costs when the pheresis platelets can be split. Transfusion of platelets in patients can also be better evaluated.

Comparison of chromosome studies on PHA-stimulated blood and unstimulated bone marrow cells in recipients of lymphocyte depleted grafts using counterflow centrifugation.

We performed chromosome studies on 121 paired samples of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated blood and unstimulated bone marrow cells from 57 recipients of lymphocyte depleted grafts using counterflow centrifugation. The paired samples were drawn simultaneously 6-108 months after transplantation. The incidence of mixed chimaerism was higher in blood than in bone marrow cells, both in patients who relapsed and in patients in continuous complete remission. The higher number of mixed lymphoid chimaeras is caused by autologous T lymphocytes which have survived the conditioning regimen and/or by donor lymphocytes which persisted after disappearance of the marrow graft. The type of blood and bone marrow chimaerism had no significant impact on the incidence of chronic GVHD but the overall incidence of chronic GVHD was too low to allow an accurate assessment. Cytogenetic analysis is a useful method for assessing chimaerism after bone marrow transplantation. Apart from its limited sensitivity for the demonstration of a minor cell population, discrepancies between chromosome studies of blood cells (lymphoid chimaerism) and bone marrow cells (myeloid/erythroid chimaerism) have to be taken into consideration.