Survival in multiple myeloma and SARS-COV-2 infection through the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from the EPICOVIDEHA registry.

Patients affected by multiple myeloma (MM) have an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and subsequent coronavirus (20)19 disease (COVID-19)-related death. The changing epidemiological and therapeutic scenarios suggest that there has been an improvement in severity and survival of COVID-19 during the different waves of the pandemic in the general population, but this has not been investigated yet in MM patients. Here we analyzed a large cohort of 1221 patients with MM and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection observed between February 2020, and August 2022, in the EPICOVIDEHA registry from 132 centers around the world. Median follow-up was 52 days for the entire cohort and 83 days for survivors. Three-hundred and three patients died (24%) and COVID-19 was the primary reason for death of around 89% of them. Overall survival (OS) was significantly higher in vaccinated patients with both stable and active MM versus unvaccinated, while only a trend favoring vaccinated patients was observed in subjects with responsive MM. Vaccinated patients with at least 2 doses showed a better OS than those with one or no vaccine dose. Overall, according to pandemic waves, mortality rate decreased over time from 34% to 10%. In multivariable analysis, age, renal failure, active disease, hospital, and intensive care unit admission, were independently associated with a higher number of deaths, while a neutrophil count above 0.5 × 109 /L was found to be protective. This data suggests that MM patients remain at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection even in the vaccination era, but their clinical outcome, in terms of OS, has progressively improved throughout the different viral phases of the pandemic.

The Expanding Menagerie of Prunus-Infecting Luteoviruses.

Members of the genus Luteovirus are responsible for economically destructive plant diseases worldwide. Over the past few years, three luteoviruses infecting Prunus trees have been characterized. However, the biological properties, prevalence, and genetic diversity of those viruses have not yet been studied. High-throughput sequencing of samples of various wild, cultivated, and ornamental Prunus species enabled the identification of four novel species in the genus Luteovirus for which we obtained complete or nearly complete genomes. Additionally, we identified another new putative species recovered from Sequence Read Archive data. Furthermore, we conducted a survey on peach-infecting luteoviruses in eight European countries. Analyses of 350 leaf samples collected from germplasm, production orchards, and private gardens showed that peach-associated luteovirus (PaLV), nectarine stem pitting-associated virus (NSPaV), and a novel luteovirus, peach-associated luteovirus 2 (PaLV2), are present in all countries; the most prevalent virus was NSPaV, followed by PaLV. The genetic diversity of these viruses was also analyzed. Moreover, the biological indexing on GF305 peach indicator plants demonstrated that PaLV and PaLV2, like NSPaV, are transmitted by graft at relatively low rates. No clear viral symptoms have been observed in either graft-inoculated GF305 indicators or different peach tree varieties observed in an orchard. The data generated during this study provide a broader overview of the genetic diversity, geographical distribution, and prevalence of peach-infecting luteoviruses and suggest that these viruses are likely asymptomatic in peach under most circumstances.

Complete genome sequence of a novel cytorhabdovirus infecting elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) in the Czech Republic.

The genus Cytorhabdovirus includes plant viruses with an unsegmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome that infect various plant hosts. In this work, we report the detection of a new cytorhabdovirus infecting elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.). Total RNA was purified from infected leaves and, after ribodepletion, sequenced using an Illumina system. The RNA genome of viral isolate B15 is 12,622 nucleotides (nt) long, and that of isolate B42 is 12,621 nt long. A nearly complete sequence (12,592 nt) was also obtained for a third isolate (B160). The RNA genomes of all three isolates showed an organisation typical of cytorhabdoviruses, harbouring all six of the expected genes (3´ N-P-P3-M-G-L 5´), separated by intergenic regions. These isolates were closely related to each other (99.5-99.6% nt sequence identity) and showed the highest overall similarity to trichosanthes associated rhabdovirus 1 (63.5% identity) and Wuhan insect virus 5 (58% identity), and similar results were obtained when comparing individual coding sequences or proteins. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that this elderberry virus, for which we propose the name "sambucus virus 1" belongs to the genus Cytorhabdovirus and fulfils the criteria to represent a novel species.

Selected severe „haematological“ syndromes in adult intensive care patients.

Haemophagocytic syndrome, diffuse alveolar haemorrhage, catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome and various types of thrombotic microangiopathies are rare conditions with significant morbidity and mortality. A common feature is late diagnosis, which can affect the success of treatment. The aim of this review article is to summarize the basic diagnostic and therapeutic steps of the present subpopulation of critically ill patients.

Washing transplants with Sepax 2 reduces the incidence of side effects associated with autologous transplantation and increases patients' comfort.

BACKGROUND: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is routinely used in various hematologic malignancies. However, dimethylsulfoxide contained in cryopreserved grafts can cause adverse events (AEs). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-three ASCTs were performed with Sepax 2 washed grafts between 7/2016 and 10/2019. The aim of this study was to determine whether washing out dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) from transplants using the Sepax 2 (S-100) device is safe and reduces the incidence of DMSO-associated AEs. RESULTS: The washing procedure was automated and that resulted in the satisfactory recovery of total nucleated cells, CD34+ cells, and colony forming units of granulocyte and macrophages (85%, 80%, and 84%, medians). Time to engraftment of leukocytes, granulocytes, and platelets as well as the number of neutropenic days did not differ when compared to 20 consecutive ASCTs without washing. The AE occurrence was lower compared to unwashed grafts: 81% versus 78% during and shortly after grafts administration, 76% versus 69% in the following day. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the washing of cryopreserved transplants using Sepax 2 was feasible with a high recovery of hematopoietic cells, did not influence time to engraftment, and resulted in the satisfactory reduction of AEs and improved tolerance of the procedure.

Complete genome sequence of a novel bromovirus infecting elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) in the Czech Republic.

The genus Bromovirus currently contains six species whose members have relatively narrow host ranges. In the present work, a new bromovirus infecting elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) is reported. dsRNA was purified and sequenced by next-generation sequencing, and with minimal additional completion by Sanger sequencing, the full tripartite genome was obtained. RNA1 is 3241 nt long and contains ORF1 (1a protein), RNA2 is 2810 nt long and contains ORF2 (2a protein), and RNA3 is 2244 nt long and contains ORF3a (movement protein) and ORF3b (coat protein, CP), separated by an intercistronic poly(A) stretch. Proteins 1a and 2a showed highest sequence identity (69.9% and 69.4%) to the corresponding proteins of melandrium yellow fleck virus. The coat protein showed highest sequence identity (67.9%) to that of brome mosaic virus. The genome shows a typical bromovirus organisation comprising of all the conserved protein domains within the genus. Phylogenetic analysis supports the assignment of this virus as a new member of the genus Bromovirus, for which the name "sambucus virus S" (SVS) is proposed.

'Candidatus Phytoplasma cirsii', a novel taxon from creeping thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop].

Creeping thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] and dahlia (Dahlia sp.) plants showing typical symptoms of phytoplasma infection including yellowing, stunting, inflorescence and proliferation, were sampled; the presence of phytoplasma was confirmed by standard PCR using universal primers. RFLP analysis allowed classification of the detected phytoplasma strains CirYS, CirYS1 and DahlP within the 16SrXI group, the unique restriction profile F2nR2 fragment obtained in silico by iPhyClassifier indicated that they belong to the new 16SrXI-E subgroup. Genetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the studied strains shared less than 97.5% similarity with all of the previously described 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' species. The closest relatives are 'Candidatus Phytoplasma cynodontis' and 'Candidatus Phytoplasma oryzae' with 96.8% and 96.6% similarity. All strains studied bear three specific regions in the 16S rRNA gene, discriminating them from the other phytoplasma species. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA and secA genes confirmed this specificity, as the creeping thistle and dahlia phytoplasma strains clustered in a distinguishable lineage group. The uniqueness of the genetic analysis agrees with the biological characterization of the studied phytoplasma strains, their host range, and geographical distribution. The strains only infect dicotyledonous plants in Europe, contrary to their closest relatives. Based on their unique properties, it could be concluded that the studied phytoplasma strains represent a discrete group that is proposed as a novel taxon 'Candidatus Phytoplasma cirsii', with strain CirYS as a reference strain.

Molecular Characterization of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum' in the Czech Republic and Susceptibility of Apricot Rootstocks to the Two Most Abundant Haplotypes.

'Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum' is one of the most destructive pathogens of Prunus species, where susceptible species render unproductive several years after infection. In epidemiology, the molecular characterization of phytoplasmas is based on sequence analysis of variable nonribosomal genes. In this study aceF, pnp, imp and secY genes were used for characterization of the 'Ca. P. prunorum' genotypes present in the Czech Republic. In total, 56 plant and 33 vector (Cacopsylla pruni) samples positive to 'Ca. P. prunorum' collected in seven localities were used in the study. Based on sequence analysis, four aceF, two pnp, six imp, and three secY genotypes were identified in analyzed samples. The most abundant in both plant and insect samples were the A6, P2, I4, and S2 genotypes. Most of the Czech 'Ca. P. prunorum' haplotypes clustered together in the haplotype network analysis. Next, two isolates representing the two most abundant Czech haplotypes (A6-P2-I4-S2 and A5-P2-I4-S2) were used in the susceptibility test of three apricot rootstock types (St. Julien A, M-VA-1, GF-305). Susceptibility was analyzed by phytoplasma quantification using quantitative real-time PCR and evaluation of symptom manifestation. Based on the results, the influence of the rootstock type on the phytoplasma titer and symptom manifestation was greater than of the phytoplasma isolate, while the year of analysis had no influence on the results. The results also showed that the phytoplasma titer is increasing in plant tissues during the vegetation period.

Novel Betanucleorhabdoviruses Infecting Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.): Genome Characterization and Genetic Variability.

The genus Betanucleorhabdovirus includes plant viruses with negative sense, non-segmented, single-stranded RNA genomes. Here, we characterized putative novel betanucleorhabdoviruses infecting a medically important plant, elderberry. Total RNA was purified from the leaves of several plants, ribodepleted and sequenced using the Illumina platform. Sequence data analysis led to the identification of thirteen contigs of approximately 13.5 kb, showing a genome structure (3'-N-P-P3-M-G-L-5') typical of plant rhabdoviruses. The detected isolates showed 69.4 to 98.9% pairwise nucleotide identity and had the highest identity among known viruses (64.7-65.9%) with tomato betanucleorhabdovirus 2. A detailed similarity analysis and a phylogenetic analysis allowed us to discriminate the elderberry isolates into five groups, each meeting the sequence-based ICTV demarcation criterion in the Betanucleorhabdovirus genus (lower than 75% identity for the complete genome). Hence, the detected viruses appear to represent five novel, closely related betanucleorhabdoviruses, tentatively named Sambucus betanucleorhabdovirus 1 to 5.

Combination of fludarabine, amsacrine, and cytarabine followed by reduced-intensity conditioning and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia.

Sequential use of chemotherapy and reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) has been proposed to improve the treatment outcomes in patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we present our experience with this procedure in a cohort of 60 AML patients with primary induction failure (n = 9); early, refractory, or ≥ second relapse (n = 41); or unfavorable cytogenetics (n = 10). A combination of fludarabine (30 mg/m²/day), cytarabine (2 g/m²/day), and amsacrine (100 mg/m²/day) for 4 days was used. After 3 days of rest, RIC was carried out, consisting of 4 Gy total body irradiation, antithymocyte globulin (ATG-Fresenius), and cyclophosphamide (fludarabine, amsacrine, and cytarabine (FLAMSA)-RIC protocol). Prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusions (pDLIs) were given in patients with complete remission (CR) and without evidence of graft-versus-host disease ≥120 days after SCT. The median time of neutrophil engraftment was 17 days. CR was achieved in 47 of 60 patients (78%). Eleven patients received pDLIs resulting in long-term CR in eight of them. Non-relapse mortality after 1 and 3 years was 25 and 28%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 37 months (range, 10-69), 3-year overall survival and 3-year progression-free survival were 42 and 33%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, dose of CD34(+) cells >5 × 106/kg (p = 0.005; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.276), remission of AML before SCT (p = 0.044; HR = 0.421), and achievement of complete chimerism after SCT (p = 0.001; HR = 0.205) were significant factors of better overall survival. The use of the FLAMSA-RIC protocol in suitable high-risk AML patients results in a long-term survival rate of over 40%.

Fludarabine with cytarabine followed by reduced-intensity conditioning and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with poor-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is a treatment option for patients with poor-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Sequential use of chemotherapy and reduced-intensity conditioning has been proposed to improve the treatment outcomes. Fludarabine (30 mg/m(2)/day) and cytarabine (2 g/m(2)/day) for 4 days (combination of fludarabine with cytarabine; FAraC) were used for cytoreduction. After 3 days of rest, reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) was carried out consisting of 4 Gy total body irradiation, 10-20 mg/kg/day antithymocyte globulin for 3 days, and 40-60 mg/kg/day cyclophosphamide for 2 days. The median time of neutrophil engraftment was 16 days. The most frequent toxicities were grades III/IV infections in 12 of 15 cases and gastrointestinal toxicities in 8 of 15 cases. Remission (complete remission + partial remission) was achieved in 14 of 15 patients (93 %), minimal residual disease negativity according to flowcytometric analysis was observed in 10 patients. Nonrelapse mortality after 1 and 2 years was 7 and 13 %, respectively. After the median follow-up from SCT of 30 months, 80 % of patients were alive (12/15), three patients have died, and three relapses occurred. The FAraC-RIC protocol seems to be a promising approach to the treatment of poor-risk CLL with a high response rate of 93 % and favorable progression-free survival and overall survival of 70 and 85 % at 2 years after SCT, respectively. Other prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm the results of this novel therapeutic strategy.

Siderophore-Based Noninvasive Differentiation of Aspergillus fumigatus Colonization and Invasion in Pulmonary Aspergillosis.

Germination from conidia to hyphae and hyphal propagation of Aspergillus fumigatus are the key pathogenic steps in the development of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). By applying in vitro observations in a clinical study of 13 patients diagnosed with probable IPA, here, we show that the transition from colonization to the A. fumigatus invasive stage is accompanied by the secretion of triacetylfusarinine C (TafC), triacetylfusarinine B (TafB), and ferricrocin (Fc) siderophores into urine, with strikingly better sensitivity performance than serum sampling. The best-performing index, the TafC/creatinine index, with a median value of 17.2, provided 92.3% detection sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.0 to 99.8%) and 100% specificity (95% CI, 84.6 to 100%), i.e., substantially better than the corresponding indications provided by galactomannan (GM) and ß-d-glucan (BDG) serology. For the same patient cohort, the serum GM and BDG sensitivities were 46.2 and 76.9%, respectively, and their specificities were 86.4 and 63.6%, respectively. The time-dependent specific appearance of siderophores in the host's urine represents an impactful clinical diagnostic advantage in the early discrimination of invasive aspergillosis from colonization. A favorable concentration of TafC in a clinical specimen distant from a deep infection site enables the noninvasive sampling of patients suffering from IPA. IMPORTANCE The importance of this research lies in the demonstration that siderophore analysis can distinguish between asymptomatic colonization and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. We found clear associations between phases of fungal development, from conidial germination to the proliferative stage of invasive aspergillosis, and changes in secondary metabolite secretion. The critical extracellular fungal metabolites triacetylfusarinines C and B are produced during the polarized germination or postpolarized growth phase and reflect the morphological status of the proliferating pathogen. False positivity in Aspergillus diagnostics is minimized as mammalian cells do not synthesize Aspergillus siderophore or mycotoxin molecules.

Distinguishing Invasive from Chronic Pulmonary Infections: Host Pentraxin 3 and Fungal Siderophores in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluids.

The multiple forms of pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus species are the most common respiratory mycoses. Although invasive, the analysis of diagnostic biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is a clinical standard for diagnosing these conditions. The BALF samples from 22 patients with proven or probable aspergillosis were assayed for human pentraxin 3 (Ptx3), fungal ferricrocin (Fc), and triacetylfusarinine C (TafC) in a retrospective study. The infected group included patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) and chronic aspergillosis (CPA). The BALF data were compared to a control cohort of 67 patients with invasive pulmonary mucormycosis (IPM), non-Aspergillus colonization, or bacterial infections. The median Ptx3 concentrations in patients with and without aspergillosis were 4545.5 and 242.0 pg/mL, respectively (95% CI, p < 0.05). The optimum Ptx3 cutoff for IPA was 2545 pg/mL, giving a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100, 98, 95, and 100%, respectively. The median Ptx3 concentration for IPM was high at 4326 pg/mL. Pentraxin 3 assay alone can distinguish IPA from CPA and invasive fungal disease from colonization. Combining Ptx3 and TafC assays enabled the diagnostic discrimination of IPM and IPA, giving a specificity and PPV of 100%.

Simultaneous Onset of Haematological Malignancy and COVID: An Epicovideha Survey.

Background: The outcome of patients with simultaneous diagnosis of haematological malignancies (HM) and COVID-19 is unknown and there are no specific treatment guidelines. Methods: We describe the clinical features and outcome of a cohort of 450 patients with simultaneous diagnosis of HM and COVID-19 registered in the EPICOVIDEHA registry between March 2020 to February 2022. Results: Acute leukaemia and lymphoma were the most frequent HM (35.8% and 35.1%, respectively). Overall, 343 (76.2%) patients received treatment for HM, which was delayed for longer than one month since diagnosis in 57 (16.6%). An overall response rate was observed in 140 (40.8%) patients after the first line of treatment. After a median follow-up of 35 days, overall mortality was 177/450 (39.3%); 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients not receiving HM treatment (42.1%) than in those receiving treatment (27.4%, p = 0.004), either before and/or after COVID-19, or compared to patients receiving HM treatment at least after COVID-19 (15.2%, p < 0.001). Age, severe/critical COVID-19, ≥2 comorbidities, and lack of HM treatment were independent risk factors for mortality, whereas a lymphocyte count >500/mcl at COVID-19 onset was protective. Conclusions: HM treatment should be delivered as soon as possible for patients with simultaneous diagnosis of COVID-19 and HM requiring immediate therapy.

Analysis of the epitope structure of Plum pox virus coat protein.

Typing of the particular Plum pox virus (PPV) strain responsible in an outbreak has important practical implications and is frequently performed using strain-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Analysis in Western blots of the reactivity of 24 MAbs to a 112-amino-acid N-terminal fragment of the PPV coat protein (CP) expressed in Escherichia coli showed that 21 of the 24 MAbs recognized linear or denaturation-insensitive epitopes. A series of eight C-truncated CP fragments allowed the mapping of the epitopes recognized by the MAbs. In all, 14 of them reacted to the N-terminal hypervariable region, defining a minimum of six epitopes, while 7 reacted to the beginning of the core region, defining a minimum of three epitopes. Sequence comparisons allowed the more precise positioning of regions recognized by several MAbs, including those recognized by the 5B-IVIA universal MAb (amino acids 94 to 100) and by the 4DG5 and 4DG11 D serogroup-specific MAbs (amino acids 43 to 64). A similar approach coupled with infectious cDNA clone mutagenesis showed that a V74T mutation in the N-terminus of the CP abolished the binding of the M serogroup-specific AL MAb. Taken together, these results provide a detailed positioning of the epitopes recognized by the most widely used PPV detection and typing MAbs.

COVID-19 infection in adult patients with hematological malignancies: a European Hematology Association Survey (EPICOVIDEHA).

BACKGROUND: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are at high risk of mortality from SARS-CoV-2 disease 2019 (COVID-19). A better understanding of risk factors for adverse outcomes may improve clinical management in these patients. We therefore studied baseline characteristics of HM patients developing COVID-19 and analyzed predictors of mortality. METHODS: The survey was supported by the Scientific Working Group Infection in Hematology of the European Hematology Association (EHA). Eligible for the analysis were adult patients with HM and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 observed between March and December 2020. RESULTS: The study sample includes 3801 cases, represented by lymphoproliferative (mainly non-Hodgkin lymphoma n = 1084, myeloma n = 684 and chronic lymphoid leukemia n = 474) and myeloproliferative malignancies (mainly acute myeloid leukemia n = 497 and myelodysplastic syndromes n = 279). Severe/critical COVID-19 was observed in 63.8% of patients (n = 2425). Overall, 2778 (73.1%) of the patients were hospitalized, 689 (18.1%) of whom were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Overall, 1185 patients (31.2%) died. The primary cause of death was COVID-19 in 688 patients (58.1%), HM in 173 patients (14.6%), and a combination of both COVID-19 and progressing HM in 155 patients (13.1%). Highest mortality was observed in acute myeloid leukemia (199/497, 40%) and myelodysplastic syndromes (118/279, 42.3%). The mortality rate significantly decreased between the first COVID-19 wave (March-May 2020) and the second wave (October-December 2020) (581/1427, 40.7% vs. 439/1773, 24.8%, p value < 0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, age, active malignancy, chronic cardiac disease, liver disease, renal impairment, smoking history, and ICU stay correlated with mortality. Acute myeloid leukemia was a higher mortality risk than lymphoproliferative diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirms that COVID-19 patients with HM are at high risk of lethal complications. However, improved COVID-19 prevention has reduced mortality despite an increase in the number of reported cases.

[Toxoplasmosis of the central nervous systems after allogeneic stem cell transplantation]. / Toxoplazmóza centrálního nervového systému po alogenní transplantaci krvetvorných bunek.

Toxoplasmosis is a rare opportunistic protozoal infection, which may occur in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This disease originates almost exclusively from reactivation of latent infection in seropositive recipients. We present a case report of one patient with diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia undergoing two allogeneic stem cell transplantations at two years interval. The second transplantation was complicated by the development of the toxoplasmic encephalitis in early posttransplant course. The initial neurological symptoms included diplopia caused by the paresis of right side motor branches of the 3rd and 6th cranial nerves due to a compressive lesion in basal ganglia. Patient suddenly deteriorated after an epileptic seizure followed by a loss of consciousness, bilateral ptosis and right side mydriasis. Prolonged sopor and bilateral mydriasis appeared because of the further lesion progression in basal ganglia and compression of the 3rd cranial nerve. After targeted therapy of Toxoplasma gondii the patient's clinical status improved and she regained consciousness. Unfortunately, examination of bone marrow later revealed the relapse of leukemia. We compared risk factors of the latent reactivation of infection in immunocompromised patients with published data. It is of interest that the toxoplasmosis of the brain developed in this patient after the second transplantation.

Influence of the ß- Radiation/Cold Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Surface Modification on the Adhesive Bonding of Polyolefins.

The goal of this research was to examine the effect of two surface modification methods, i.e., radiation cross-linking and plasma treatment, on the adhesive properties and the final quality of adhesive bonds of polypropylene (PP), which was chosen as the representative of the polyolefin group. Polymer cross-linking was induced by beta (accelerated electrons-ß-) radiation in the following dosages: 33, 66, and 99 kGy. In order to determine the usability of ß- radiation for these applications (improving the adhesive properties and adhesiveness of surface layers), the obtained results were compared with values measured on surfaces treated by cold atmospheric-pressure plasma with outputs 2.4, 4, and 8 W. The effects of both methods were compared by several parameters, namely wetting contact angles, free surface energy, and overall strength of adhesive bonds. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were conducted. According to our findings the following conclusion was reached; both tested surface modification methods significantly altered the properties of the specimen's surface layer, which led to improved wetting, free surface energy, and bond adhesion. Following the ß- radiation, the free surface energy of PP rose by 80%, while the strength of the bond grew in some cases by 290% in comparison with the non-treated surface. These results show that when compared with cold plasma treatment the beta radiation appears to be an effective tool capable of improving the adhesive properties and adhesiveness of PP surface layers.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia: still not out of fashion.

The role of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT) in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is still unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the results of the autoHSCT and maintenance therapy, with oral 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate, in comparison to conventional-dose chemotherapy in the consolidation treatment of adult ALL and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL). The patients, with HLA identical sibling donor, underwent allogeneic transplantation, while the others were treated with autoHSCT and maintenance therapy with oral 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate, or by conventional-dose chemotherapy (patient's decision, no autologous hematopoietic stem cells harvest). Sixty consecutive adult patients (median age 35.2 years; range 17.3 to 70.7) with ALL (n = 52), LBL (n = 7), and acute biphenotypic leukemia (n = 1) were treated in our center from 1997 to 2007. Patients treated with chemotherapy alone (n = 35) had a shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) compared to patients who underwent autoHSCT plus maintenance therapy (n = 18), 8.4 and 46.8 months, respectively (p = 0.017). Patients treated with chemotherapy alone had also a shorter median overall survival (OS) compared to patients treated with autoHSCT: 13.0 vs. 46.8 months (p = 0.046). The differences remained statistically significant even after excluding patients with Ph positivity. We can conclude that, in our case, autoHSCT followed by maintenance chemotherapy is a good option for adult patients with ALL and, in standard-risk and high-risk patients, provides more favorable OS and PFS rates compared to patients treated by chemotherapy alone. However, we are aware of the fact that our analysis may have been distorted by the fact that the analysis is retrospective, that treatment with autoHSCT was based on patient's decision, and that chemotherapy may have been administered to negatively selected patients.