GVHD is a recognized complication of autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT), but has typically been reported to respond well to primary therapy with corticosteroids. In this ...study, we report the development of severe autologous GVHD in five patients who underwent HPCT for multiple myeloma. In all cases, response to corticosteroids was unsatisfactory and three of these patients ultimately died from complications that ensued from prolonged immunosuppressive therapy. Severe autologous GVHD occurred only in patients transplanted for multiple myeloma and was observed at a much higher frequency in patients undergoing their second HPCT. The severity of this syndrome primarily in patients undergoing second HPCTs suggests that repetitive exposure to high-dose therapy may compromise endogenous peripheral regulatory mechanisms and predispose these patients to autoimmunity. Given the evolving role of second autologous transplantations in the therapeutic armamentarium for multiple myeloma, consideration of this potential toxicity may be appropriate when considering treatment options for these patients.
Timing of bud burst and frost damage risk for leaves of Betula spp. in response to climatic warming in Finland was examined with two models. In the first model, ontogenetic development in spring was ...triggered by an accumulation of chilling temperatures. The second model assumed an additional signal from the light climate. The two models gave radically different estimates of frost damage risk in response to climate warming. The chilling-triggered model forecast a significant and increasing risk with increased warming, whereas the light-climate-triggered model predicted little or no risk. The chilling-triggered model is widely applied in phenological research; however, there is increasing experimental evidence that light conditions play a role in the timing of spring phenology. Although it is not clear if the light response mechanisms are appropriately represented in our model, the results imply that reliance on a light signal for spring development would afford a degree of protection against possible frost damage under climate warming that would not be present if chilling were the sole determinant. Further experimental tests are required to ascertain the light-related mechanisms controlling phenological timing, so that credible model extrapolations can be undertaken.
Parainfluenza virus (PIV) may cause life-threatening pneumonia in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Currently, there are no proven effective therapies. We report the ...use of inhaled DAS181, a novel sialidase fusion protein, for treatment of PIV type 3 pneumonia in two allogeneic hematopoietic SCT recipients with respiratory failure.
The mutations in Haemoglobin Beta (HBB) gene, bring about less or no production of Hb β-chain synthesis in affected cases, leading from minor to major types depending on haematological indices. In ...compound heterozygotic conditions, two traits are involved, in which one parent has HbE trait and the other has β-thalassaemia carrier (trait). Here, we report a family of Rajasthan, West India which had a proband (son) having HbE/ β-thalassaemia a co-inherited compound heterozygosity as revealed by DNA sequencing. It also contained upper levels of HbE with altered Hb and red cell indices showing asymptomatic to symptomatic state requiring blood transfusion periodically. The parents and Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) were HbE and β-thalassaemia traits only. Such case is rare in Western India and we recommend this family for genetic counseling and genetic testing before they want reproductive choices in future for better management in a society.
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•First results on dynamics of OH radical formation in the photodissociation of enolic conformer of acetonylacetone.•Мechanism for OH radical formation is reported.•Effect of hydrogen ...bonding in the photodissociation process is reported.
The photodissociation dynamics of enolic-acetonylacetone (H3CC(O)CH2CH C(OH)CH3), in gas phase, is studied using Laser Photolysis–Laser Induced Fluorescence (LP–LIF) technique at room temperature. The nascent state distribution of the OH radical is probed formed after photo-excitation of the parent molecule to its πC=C−πC=C* state using 193nm laser light. The ro-vibrational distribution of the nascent OH photofragment is measured using LIF in collision free conditions. The rotational distribution is Boltzmann-like, and characterized by a single rotational temperature of 650±50K. The spin-orbit and Λ-doublet ratios of OH fragment formed in the dissociation process are also determined. For OH producing channel, the average translational energy partitioned into the photofragment pairs in the center-of-mass co-ordinate is found to be 25.0±4.0kcal/mol, corresponding to a fT value of 0.43. The experimental studies along with theoretical calculations employing time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) along with ab initio molecular orbital (MO) theory suggest that the initially preparedπC=C−πC=C* state crosses over to a nearby σ* repulsive state along the CO bond, from where the dissociation takes place. The dynamics of OH formation is compared with that of acetylacetone photodissociation and effect of H-bonding is discussed.
Objective
To assess knowledge of chikungunya and the pattern of implementation of mosquito avoidance and control practices among new students admitted to Trinity Medical Sciences University (TMSU), ...St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted, where a pilot tested questionnaire was surveyed among all newly admitted students for a period of one year. The participants who were aware of the disease were included in the knowledge score analysis. Knowledge level of each participant was determined to be good (score ≥ 70%), fair (score 50.1–69.9%) or poor (score ≤ 50%). The study also evaluated the participants’ implementation of WHO-recommended mosquito avoidance and control practices.
Results
Among the 129 students surveyed, 102 participants responded (response rate: 79.06%). Of 102 participants, only 39 (38.2%) were aware of the disease with 30.77% having good knowledge, 28.21% fair knowledge and 41.03% poor knowledge of the disease. Of the eight mosquito avoidance and control practices evaluated, none were implemented by 2 (1.96%) of the participants while one or more, but not all, were used by the remaining 100 (98.04%) participants. The association of these practices with awareness of the disease as well as levels of knowledge was statistically non-significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion
A large percentage of newly admitted students at TMSU did not have adequate knowledge of chikungunya. However, implementation pattern of mosquito avoidance and control practices varied among them. The new students need early education about the disease and should be encouraged to practice as many recommended strategies as possible to avoid mosquito bites and control of mosquito vectors.
Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is reported in 1%-3% among pediatric renal allograft recipients. We report the experience of PTLD among pediatric renal allograft recipients at a ...pediatric nephrology center in North India. Four cases of PTLD were identified from among records of 95 pediatric renal allograft recipients over a period of 21 years. Constitutional and localizing symptoms were present in three patients each. The diagnosis was suggested on positron emission tomography in three patients and confirmed by histopathology in all. Sites affected included tonsils, cervical lymph nodes, duodenum, and para-aortic lymph nodes in one patient each. The lymphocytic infiltrate was polymorphic in three patients and monomorphic in one. Immunostaining suggested B-cell origin in all patients. There was evidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection in only one patient. The patients were successfully managed with reduction of immunosuppression (in all), rituximab (in 3), and excision of affected tissue (in 1). Over a follow-up period of 30-88 months, there were no episodes of disease recurrence or allograft rejection, and renal function was preserved.
Although pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.; Poales: Poaceae is grown extensively on 5 continents and is attacked by various insects at all stages of growth and development, little is ...specifically known of how yields of this important crop are affected by insect herbivory. This study was conducted in north central Alabama to determine insect occurrence on pearl millet and to determine the levels of damage caused by insects feeding on pearl millet genotypes at different nitrogen rates. The field experiment was laid out following a randomized complete block design with 4 replications in which 4 genotypes and 4 fertilizer levels were arranged in factorial combinations. The pearl millet genotypes consisted of 2 open pollinated lines, ‘2304’ and ‘LHBO8’, and 2 hybrids, ‘606A1*2304’ and ‘707A1*4280’ and fertilization rates used were 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 N. Insect samplings were carried out weekly from 61 to 109 days after planting (DAP). Insects in 6 orders and 11 families were found on pearl millet genotypes. Eastern leaf-footed stinkbug (Leptoglossus phyllopus (L.); Hemiptera: Coreidae) was the most prevalent and dominant insect species found followed by the American bird grasshopper (Schistocerca americana Drury; Orthoptera: Acrididae) and the differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis (Thomas: Orthoptera: Acrididae). Population of L. phyllopus was at its peak during the latter part of the growing season from 81 to 109 DAP. Populations of S. americana and M. differentialis declined as crop matured (61 DAP > 66 DAP >75 DAP). Results also showed that leaf and head damage did not differ among genotypes and nitrogen rates tested.
Observations of wind statistics within and above a Scots pine forest are compared with those predicted from an analytical second-order closure model. The roughness sublayer (RSL) effects, and the ...influence of stability on similarity functions, are studied using observations. The commonly accepted forms of similarity functions describe the influence of diabatic effects above the RSL well. According to earlier studies they are expected also to apply within the RSL. As an exception, the average wind speed normalised with friction velocity was found to be invariant with stability close to the canopy top under unstable conditions. Lagrangian stochastic trajectory simulations were used to evaluate the influence of canopy turbulence profiles on footprint prediction. The main uncertainty was found to arise from parameterisation of the random forcing term in the Lagrangian velocity equation. The influence of diabatic conditions was studied, and it was found that thermal stability affects significantly the footprint function above the forest canopy, but significant uncertainty exists because of uncertainties in the formulation of stability functions.
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