Integrated Sensing Platform Validated for the Efficient and On-Site Screening of Amine-Containing Illicit Drugs.

Efficient and reliable technologies for the on-site detection of illicit drugs are important in drug-facilitated crime investigations. However, the development of such technologies is challenging. Based on the synthetic optimization, introducing a boron ester functional group to the two furanic indicators endows the stimulus-responsive properties synergistically. The ring-opening reaction of the indicators in the presence of amine-containing illicit drugs generated well-known donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts, accompanied by strong color changes. A small-size and lightweight laminated sensor was integrated based on the outstanding ratiometric variations of the two active furanic indicators. A prototype platform was fabricated equipped with a circuit control, a mini pump, and a signal processing system. A user-friendly detection and efficient screening of amine-containing illicit drugs, including phenethylamines, amphetamines, cathinones, and tryptamines in the liquid states were conducted. The ratiometric response of the sensor was linear in the concentration range of 2.1-10.6 µg·mL-1 for methamphetamine·HCl and methcathinone ·HCl. The detection limits for the two illicit drugs at the sublevel (ng·mL-1) were found to be 8.4 and 9.0 ng·mL-1, respectively. Double-blind field tests and different illicit drugs were evaluated with good screening capability. Successful trials showed the potential applications of the developed prototype platform for efficient and on-site analytical determination.

The Application and Efficacy of Second Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Acute Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively analyzed the application and clinical efficacy of second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in acute leukemia patients who relapsed or had primary graft failure (PGF) after first transplantation. METHODS: From 2007 to 2021, eight patients with acute leukemia who received second allo-HSCT in our hospital were collected, including 6 relapsed patients and 2 patients with PGF after the first HSCT. RESULTS: All the patients received complete donor implantation after second transplantation. The median time of neutrophils and platelet implantation were 12 days (10 days - 13 days) and 23 days (12 days - 123 days). Two cases (25.0%) developed grade II aGVHD, and 4 cases (50.0%) developed cGVHD. Leukemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) at 1 year both were 71.4% and at 3 years both were 28.6%. After a median follow-up of 1,556 days (range, 257 - 5,252 days), 3 of the patients (37.5%) survived and 5 (62.5%) died. One patient with NR before second transplantation, treated with a conditioning regime of CLAG-M bridging BuCy, has survived for more than 5 years (61 months). Relapse was the main death reason. CONCLUSIONS: Second allo-HSCT is an effective means to treat acute leukemia patients with relapsed and PGF after first transplantation.

Diagnosis and treatment for the early stage of cytomegalovirus infection during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a frequent complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and causes significant morbidity and mortality in transplantation recipients. In this review, we highlight the role of major risk factors that are associated with the incidence of CMV infection. Advances in immunosurveillance may predict CMV infection, allowing early interventions to prevent severe infection. Furthermore, numerous therapeutic strategies against CMV infection after HSCT are summarized. A comprehensive understanding of the current situation of CMV treatment may provide a hint for clinical practice and even promote the development of novel strategies for precision medicine.

Vitamin C promotes anti-leukemia of DZNep in acute myeloid leukemia.

The epigenetic treatment by 3-Deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), a histone methyltransferase inhibitor, shows great potential against acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the variant sensitivity and incomplete response to DZNep are commonly observed. Here, we reveal that vitamin C (Vc) dramatically promotes DZNep response against leukemic cells in different cell lines and primary AML samples. Vc enhances apoptosis and differentiation induced by DZNep in different AML cell lines in vitro and reduces leukemia progression in vivo. At the molecular level, Vc downregulates an enzyme of serine synthesis named D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), as well as BCL2, an anti-apoptotic gene. Over-expression of PHGDH reverses the Vc-enhanced anti-leukemic effect of DZNep in AML cells. Therefore, our findings provide an effective approach to reduce the resistance against epigenetic treatment by Vc, which shows a potential improvement of their combination in AML patients.

A novel intensive conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cladribine, cytarabine, mitoxantrone, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (CLAG-M) regimen combined with busulfan and cyclophosphamide (BuCy) as new intensive conditioning before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). 24 patients were enrolled. The median follow-up was 15.2 months (range 1.9-67.0 months). Except for one patient who died before graft infusion, the evaluable 23 patients (96%) achieved complete remission (CR). The two-year overall survival (OS) rate and leukemia-free survival (LFS) rate were 61.4% and 59.4%, respectively. The non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 9.1%. Univariate analysis revealed that the myeloid blast phase of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), an EVI1 mutated, blood blasts ≥20% at transplant, and extramedullary disease were risk factors for LFS.

Nanoantennas Involved Optical Plasmonic Cavity for Improved Luminescence of Quantum Dots Light-Emitting Diodes.

The optical plasmonic cavity (OPC) including the metallic optical nanoantennas and a metal film exhibits extreme field enhancement for the increased spontaneous emission rate of emitters. The resonance wavelength of the OPC can be easily controlled by the volume of the OPC and the localized surface plasmonic resonances (LSPRs) of the nanoantennas, facilitating the effective coupling of OPC and the emitters. However, involving the OPC into the light emission-enhanced solution-processed devices is still a difficult challenge. The trade-off between the metallic structure of OPC and the solution procedures limits the performance enhancement of the electrical-driven devices. In this work, we construct a device-compatible OPC that allows the characterization of the carrier dynamics of quantum dot (QD) films in the real devices in-suit. The radiative recombination rate and relaxation rate of carriers in QDs are increased by the LSPR effect of the silver nanocubes for luminescence enhancement. The OPC further increases the spontaneous emission rate of QD films, achieving a Purcell factor of 166 and improving the electroluminescence of the OPC-based QD light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). The design of the OPC-involved QLEDs offers a solution for addressing the limitation of fabrication of OPC-combined solution-processed optoelectronic light sources.

Generation of a RGS18 gene knockout cell line from a human embryonic stem cell line by CRISPR/Cas9.

RGS18 is a member of the RGS (Regulators of G-protein signaling) protein family, involved in megakaryopoiesis, megakaryocyte differentiation and chemotaxis. Here, we created a RGS18 knockout cell line from a human embryonic stem cell line by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene targeting, to further understand roles of RGS18 in these processes. The cell line maintains stem cell morphology and normal karyotype, and retains expression of pluripotent marker genes and differentiation potential in vivo. The RGS18-/- cell line will facilitate investigation of the role of RGS18 during multiple cellular processes in human pluripotent stem cell modeled hematopoiesis.

Late-onset severe hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient: A case report.

RATIONALE: Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is a rare and potentially fatal complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Most severe SOS result in multi-organ dysfunction and are associated with a high mortality rate (>80%). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 31-year-old man was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia blast crisis. He presented with severe thrombocytopenia on day 42 post-HSCT (on days +42), gradually developed with painful hepatomegaly, ascites, and weight gain. DIAGNOSES: The abdominal computerized tomography showed hepatomegaly, hepatic congestion, periportal edema, narrow hepatic vein, and ascites suggestive of SOS/hepatic vein occlusion. According to the EBMT revised diagnostic criteria, the patient was diagnosed as late-onset severe SOS. INTERVENTIONS: Comprehensive treatment including low molecular weight heparin was initiated. OUTCOMES: The patient had good response with resolution of his hepatomegaly, increase of platelet, weight and transaminase loss after 4 weeks treatment. LESSONS: In SOS patients with nonspecific clinical and biochemical findings, computerized tomography scans can be useful in differentiating SOS from other complications after HSCT. low molecular weight heparin is effective for the treatment of SOS.

Dressings for Preventing Pressure Ulcers: A Meta-analysis.

The purpose of this analysis is to determine the effectiveness of dressing material in the prevention of pressure ulcers. Results showed that hydrocolloid, foam, and film were more effective than a standard care protocol in patients at risk for pressure ulcers.