bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Standardization and harmonization of the blood count: The role of International Committee for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH)
Authors: Lewis S. M. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  Scientific principles of standardization were first applied in haematology in 1963 when the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology was established with a primary objective to improve the measurement of haemoglobin. Subsequently, ICSH has established Expert Panels on a wide range of haemat‐ological topics, including especially a Panel on Cytometry. The purpose of haematological standardization is to obtain precision, accuracy, specificity and harmonization of results between different laboratories in all countries and also between different instruments or methods in the same laboratory. To achieve these objectives ICSH sponsors collaborative studies by scientists from academic centres and from industry and uses a consensus procedure for establishing standards on the basis of the scientific data, followed by an educational programme to ensure that the standards are adopted worldwide.ICSH defines material standards and standardized methods. Material standards are classified as primary international standards, certified reference materials, secondary standards and calibrators. These must be distinguished from control preparations which are intended exclusively for quality control.Standardization of methods must also be considered at four levels: definitive, reference, selected and routine. Each has a place in practice but their roles must be clearly defined. ICSH has an established protocol for evaluation of automated blood cell counters. This defines the levels of precision and accuracy of instrument performance. It is also necessary to assess “clinical utility”. The main requirement of the practising haematologist is clinical reliability and harmonization of results for comparability. One of the major functions of ICSH is to provide an interface for collaboration between the manufacturers who develop the instruments and the users in order to achieve this goal.
Practical experience with a quality control procedure using retained patient specimens on Technicon HI and COULTER S 880
Authors: Rustad P. , Lund P. Kr. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  External quality assessment and internal quality control in hematology is complicated by the lack of good control materials. Commercial materials do not always behave as patient blood and they are expensive. Patient specimens are unstable, but may be used either within certain time limits or as in Bull's moving average for red cell indicies.We have used retained patient specimens for internal quality control supplemented by a commercial control material. Three patient‐specimens were run alternatively on a Technicon HI and a Coulter 880 at regular intervals. The variations for each instrument and between instrument were computed. We used the 2of32s control rule.Our conclusion is that the Coulter 880 had an overall better performance than the Technicon H1 when using retained patient specimens. But both instruments practically met suggested analytical goals.
Coupling of HI to a central laboratory computer, automated evaluation of instrument alarms
Authors: Barth‐Magnus K. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  Everyone who has worked with an H1 from Technicon knows that it pours out a vast number of asterisks and error flags and that the same information is hidden in different places. After comparing a great number of samples from H1 with manual methods, we found that we could reduce the number of alarms of medical significance to about 20.So we built a microcomputer which sends the test results, the asterisks and 20 user defined alarm flags to the host computer where the verification takes place.The verification program automatically approves of tests where no alarms, asterisks or high or low values occur. Tests with any kind of alarm or asterisk are displayed. Doubtful results are automatically deleted following specified rules, the meaning of the asterisks can be studied on a switch‐screen like on H1, and the technician can take the appropriate action, microscopy, rerun or checking H1
Acute leukemia in professional drivers exposed to gasoline and diesel
Authors: Lindquist Ragnhild , Nilsson Bo , Eklund Gunnar , Gahrton Gosta 
Published: July 2010

Lindquist R, Nilsson B, Eklund G, Gahrton G. Acute leukemia in professional drivers exposed to gasoline and diesel. Eur J Haematol 1991: 47: 98–103.Abstract: The environmental exposure to the petroleum products gasoline, diesel, and their motor exhausts was studied in a case‐control interview of 125 patients with acute leukemia and 1 matched control per patient. Odds ratios were calculated by comparing discordant matched patient‐control pairs. An excess risk for developing acute leukemia was found for the professional drivers, and odds ratio was determined to be 3.0 (95% CI: 1.1–9.2/p<0.02). For those who were exposed for more than 5 years in their life‐time, or more than 1 yr during the 5–20 yr period prior to diagnosis, the odds ratio was 5.0 (p?<0.05). This finding remains after consideration is given to exposures to organic solvents, smoking and therapeutic x‐ray treatment. No excess risk was observed for persons professionally exposed to motor oil and machine oil without exposure to fuels and exhausts. No preferential type of acute leukemia was found to be associated with exposure to fuels and their exhausts. The results indicate an etiological relationship between the development of acute leukemia and exposure to petroleum products as fuels and exhaust.
Acute renal failure associated with haematological malignancies: A review of 10 years experience
Authors: Harris K. P. G. , Hattersley J. M. , Feehally J. , Walls J. 
Published: July 2010

Harris KPG, Hattersley JM, Feehally J, Walls J. Acute renal failure associated with haematological malignancies: A review of 10 years experience. Eur J Haematol 1991: 47: 119–122.Abstract: Patients with ARF and haematological malignancy (excluding myeloma), presenting to a single unit over 10 years were analyzed to see if patients likely to benefit from intensive renal supportive therapy could be identified. 31 episodes of ARF were identified in 29 patients (mean age 51 + 2.9 yr): 19 were associated with acute leukaemia (13 AML, 6 ALL); 10 with lymphoma. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was identified as the cause of ARF in 26 cases, with sepsis (96%) and exposure to nephrotoxic drugs (88%), especially aminoglycosides, being the commonest precipitating factors. Toxic levels of the latter were commonly documented. Patient survival was 45%. Requirement for mechanical ventilation resulted in a universally fatal outcome; age greater than 55 yr and the presence of CNS symptoms or signs were also significantly associated with a poor outcome. Non‐ATN causes (urate nephropathy or obstruction) carried a better prognosis. However, only 4 patients (14%) lived for more than 6 months following ARF. Thus, although a subgroup of patients more likely to benefit from treatment can be identified, the overall prognosis is poor and limited by that of the underlying disease. The potential benefit of avoiding nephrotoxic drugs, especially aminoglycosides, in these patients is highlighted by this study.
Further studies of the defective stimulus‐response coupling for the oxidative burst in neutrophils in polycythemia vera
Authors: Samuelsson Jan , Berg Anders 
Published: July 2010

Samuelsson J, Berg A. Further studies of the defective stimulus‐response coupling for the oxidative burst in neutrophils in polycythemia vera. Eur J Haematol 1991: 47: 239–245.Abstract:  We have previously reported that the chemiluminescence (CL) response of neutrophils (PMN) from patients with polycythemia vera (PV) was abnormally low when induced by surface receptor‐dependent stimuli, fMLP and leukotriene B4, but normal when elicited by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). This study documents that this discrepancy of the CL response to fMLP and PMA remained over a wide range of stimuli concentrations, was not due to iron‐deficient PV cells and was also observed with the nitroblue tetrazolium assay. Moreover, another surface receptor‐dependent agonist, platelet‐activating factor, conferred a significantly lower CL response in PV PMN relative to controls. Treatment with alpha interferon or GM‐CSF, to increase fMLP receptors, resulted in a similar enhancement of fMLP‐induced CL in PV and controls. CL was normal when induced by a number of non‐surface receptor‐dependent stimuli. Release of lactoferrin in response to fMLP (and PMA) was normal (as was previously reported fMLP‐induced chemotaxis and adherence). Thus, this defect is highly specific for oxidative metabolism, and localized to discrete step(s) of the stimulus‐response coupling for fMLP, leukotriene B4 and PAF, but conceivably not due to impairment of the dynamic interaction of fMLP with its receptor.
Immune responses and serum levels of cytokines in adult T‐cell leukemia patients and human T‐cell leukemia virus type‐I carriers
Authors: Nakasone Tadashi , Araki Koichi , Masuda Masato , Oshiro Kazuiku , Arakaki Hitoshi , Shimoji Tadao , Shinzato Osamu , Mimura Goro 
Published: July 2010

Abstract: To find predictive parameters for development and progression of adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) in human T‐cell leukemia virus type‐I (HTLV‐I) carriers, we investigated cellular immune responses such as mitogenic responses and natural killer activity of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). And serum or plasma levels of cytokines, including tumor‐necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP), were also measured in patients with ATL, healthy HTLV‐I carriers and healthy HTLV‐I non‐carriers as controls. Results are as follows:(1) increased spontaneous proliferation and decreased mitogenic responses of PBMC already existed in HTLV‐I carriers;(2) IAP was significantly higher in patients with acute/lymphoma type ATL than in those with chronic/smoldering type, HTLV‐I carriers and HTLV‐I non‐carriers. These results suggest that spontaneous proliferation or mitogenic responses and IAP may be useful parameters for the development and progression of ATL from the carriers.Since HTLV‐I carriers already have various grades of immunosuppression, we should seriously try to prevent further HTLV‐I transmission.
Correlation of MDR1 /P‐170 expression with daunorubicin uptake and sensitivity of leukemic progenitors in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Campos Lydia , Guyotat Denis , Jaffar Christine , Solary Eric , Archimbaud Eric , Treille Danielle 
Published: July 2010

4Service d'Hématologie, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, FranceAbstract: Prior studies have shown that multidrug resistance gene products may be detected in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, and are associated with poor response to therapy. We studied whether P‐170 expression was associated with in vitro daunorubicin (DNR) accumulation and sensitivity of leukemic clonogenic cells (CFU‐L) to DNR in 16 newly diagnosed AML samples. P‐170 expression was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence using the monoclonal antibody MRK16. DNR cellular content was measured by flow cytometry after short incubation with increasing concentrations of DNR, and was not correlated with P‐170 expression, although there was a trend for higher values in P‐170‐negative samples. The sensitivity of CFU‐L was studied in a semisolid culture assay by calculating the dose of DNR inhibiting the growth of 90% of CFU‐L (D90). The D90 was significantly higher in P‐170‐positive than in P‐170‐negative samples (mean = 1.68 ± 0.42 pg/ml versus 0.97 ± 0.35 μg/ml respectively, p< 0.005). Eight of 9 cases achieving complete remission (CR) after intensive chemotherapy were P‐170‐negative, whereas 7 of 7 nonresponders were P‐170‐positive (p< 10−5). D90 was significantly lower for patients achieving CR than for those who did not achieve CR (1.12 ± 0.55 μg/ml versus 1.59 ± 0.37 μg/ml, p = 0.04). It is concluded that P‐170 expression is correlated with in virto resistance of clonogenic cells to DNR and may be one mechanism of resistance to chemotherapy.
HIV‐related non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma among European AIDS patients
Authors: Pedersen C. , Barton S. E. , Chiesi A. , Skinhøj P. , Katlama C. , Johnson A. , van Lunzen J. , Hirschel B. , Maayan S. , Lundgren J. D. ,   AIDS in Europe Study Group
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  The epidemiology of HIV associated non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was investigated in 6550 European patients with AIDS. NHL was diagnosed in 3.5% of all patients at the time of the AIDS diagnosis. Although the probability of being diagnosed with NHL at AIDS diagnosis was significantly higher among intravenous drug users than among homosexual men, and was associated with increasing age, the observed incidences of NHL were more strikingly similar than any differences.The rate of developing NHL after a previous AIDS diagnosis was 2.4 per 100 patient years of follow‐up, and remained constant during a 5‐year follow‐up period. While primary brain lymphomas comprised only 9% of NHL diagnosed at the time of AIDS, they comprised 38% of NHL diagnosed after AIDS (p<0.001).The prognosis for patients with NHL at AIDS diagnosis was poor with a median survival of 5 months. A diagnosis of primary brain lymphoma was uniformly associated with a poor outcome.It is concluded that the probability of developing NHL in late stage HIV infection is lower than previously anticipated from the results of small studies on patients receiving long‐term anti‐retroviral therapy.
Increased susceptibility of microcytic red blood cells to in vitro oxidative stress
Authors: Corrons J. L. Vives , Miguel‐Garcia A. , Pujades M. A. , Miguel‐Sosa A. , Cambiazzo S. , Linares M. , Dibarrart M. T. , Calvo M. A. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract: Oxidative damage to erythrocytes in thalassaemia has been related to generation of free radicals by an excess of denaturated α‐ or β‐globin chains, intracellular iron overload and low concentration of normal haemoglobin (HGB). Two good indicators of such oxidative damage are the high red blood cell (RBC) malonyldialdehyde (MDA) production detected following exogenous oxidant stress and the decrease of pyrimidine 5′‐nucleotidase (P5N), the most sensitive enzyme to SH‐group damage in vivo. Conflicting data, however, have so far accumulated in the literature concerning differences in oxidative damage between the different forms of thalassaemia and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). In the present study, oxidative susceptibility, as defined by the production of MDA in vitro and antioxidant capacity, as measured by the activity of RBC glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and by reduced glutathione (GSH), have been studied in microcytic RBCs from patients with β‐thalassaemia trait, Spanish (δβ)°‐thalassaemia heterozygotes (δβ‐thalassaemia trait) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). The results are consistent with the existence of significant differences in the severity and pattern of oxidative stress susceptibility between β‐thalassaemia trait (increased MDA production and higher SOD and GPx activities) and the other two forms of microcytosis (δβ thalassaemia trait and IDA).Furthermore, the finding of normal P5′N activity in δβ thalassaemia trait, gives further support to the less intense peroxidative environment of RBCs in this form of thalassaemia when compared to β‐thalassaemia trait, characterized by acquired RBC P5′N deficiency due to oxidative damage.
Monoclonal antibody‐based methods for quantitation of hemoglobins: application to evaluating patients with sickle cell anemia treated with hydroxyurea
Authors: Epstein Nava , Epstein Michael , Boulet Arielle , Fibach Eitan , Rodgers Griffin P. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract: High‐titer monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were raised against chromatographically purified human hemoglobin (Hb) species.These mAb were specific for either Hb A, Hb F, Hb S or Hb C. Based on these antibodies, which were directly conjugated with either fluorochromes or an enzyme (horseradish peroxidase), we developed immunoassays for determining the Hb profile in the peripheral blood; an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for determining the absolute and relative quantities of various Hb species and one‐step immunolabeling for fluorescence microscopic and flow cytometric analyses of the distribution of RBC with respect to their Hb types. We utilized these methods for monitoring the Hb F level and the percentage of Hb F‐containing cells in patients with sickle cell anemia undergoing treatment with hydroxyurea.
Effect of interferon‐α on immunoglobulin production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in multiple myeloma
Authors: Säily M. , Koistinen P. , Laine S. , Soppi E. , Savolainen E‐R. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  To test a hypothesis that interferon‐α (IFN) treatment might restore normal immunoglobulin (Ig) production in multiple myeloma (MM), the effect of IFN on Ig isotype (IgG and IgA) production by peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells (MNCs) in MM patients was analyzed by ELISA. IFN at a concentration of 1000 U/ml was found to enhance IgA production by PB MNCs in IgA‐MM and had a trend to stimulate IgG production in IgG‐MM. The effect of IFN on nonparaprotein Ig isotype production was more variable, with mostly neutral or inhibitory effects being seen in both the MM subtypes. In contrast to the influences observed in MM patients, IFN at the same concentration inhibited both IgG and IgA production by PB MNCs in healthy controls. In studying BM cells, IFN was found to reduce IgA production in IgA‐MM, but had a neutral effect on IgG production in IgG‐MM. In the controls, the production of both the IgG and the IgA isotypes by BM MNCs was decreased by IFN.On the basis of these results it seems that the disease itself somehow affects the Ig‐producing cells in MM, when measured as different responses of the cells to exogenous IFN in vitro. The results do not support the hypothesis that IFN treatment could restore normal Ig production in MM patients.
Nucleoside transporters, bcl‐2 and apoptosis in CLL cells exposed to nucleoside analogues in vitro
Authors: Petersen Amarette J. , Brown Ross D. , Gibson John , Pope Belinda , Luo Xiao‐Feng , Schutz Leonard , Wiley James S. , Joshua Douglas E. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe purine nucleoside analogues fludarabine (Fl) and chlorodeoxyadenosine (2‐CdA) are considered to be cell cycle specific agents which require DNA synthesis for cytotoxicity. However, their efficacy in the treatment of CLL, an indolent lymphoid malignancy suggests additional mechanisms of action. Like cytosine arabinoside (AraC), Fl and 2‐CdA gain access to the cell via a specific nucleoside transporter (NST) protein. To investigate the mode of action of these drugs in CLL, we used a fluorescent ligand for the NST (5‘‐(SAENTA‐ x 8)‐fluorescein) and 3‐colour flow cytometry to determine NST expression on CD5+/CD19+ B‐cells from the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with CLL. NST levels on these cells was found to be not significantly different from normal control lymphocytes (mean = 485±425) vs. (mean = 553±178). Exposure to varying concentrations (0, 3 μM and 30 μM) of Fl and 2‐CdA, however, resulted in an upregulation of NST (mean = 1552±775 with 30 μM FL; mean = 3392±2197 with 30 μM 2‐CdA) after 48 h. “Large” lymphoid cells (not present in normal PB) were found to express significantly more NST (mean = 2540±2861) and have a higher proliferative capacity than “small” cells (mean = 357±517 NST/cell). Incubation of CLL cells with Fl (n = 6) and 2‐CdA (n = 8) in vitro over 48 h also resulted in an increase in the proportion of cells in S‐phase (0 μM = 0.2±0.1; 30 μM FL = 2.4±2.0; 30 μM 2‐CdA = 3.3±1.3) and a significant increase in morphologically identifiable apoptosis. Apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometric DNA analysis (0 μM = 13±8%; 30 μM FL = 40±20%; 30 μM 2‐CdA = 48±11%). In situ hybridization using a biotinylated cDNA bcl‐2 probe demonstrated that bcl‐2 mRNA expression was markedly decreased in treated cells after 24 h. These studies have demonstrated that: (1) NST expression on CLL lymphocytes is low; (2) in vitro exposure to the analogues increases both the level of NST expression and the % cells in S‐phase; (3) exposure to the analogues downregulates bcl‐2 expression and increases apoptosis.
Prevalence of antibodies to cardiolipin in chronic ITP and reactivity with platelet membranes
Authors: Årfors L. , Winiarski J. , Lefvert A. K. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAnti‐cardiolipin antibodies (ACLA) have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia. When sera from 40 patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were analyzed for ACLA, these autoantibodies were present in 12 (30%). In 4 sera the antibody activity was restricted to the IgG or IgM isotype, respectively, while 4 of the samples contained both IgG and IgM antibodies. To elucidate the interaction between platelets and ACLA, we studied the reactivity of sera from non‐ITP patients with ACLA, with fragmented platelet membranes. None of them had a concurrent platelet deficiency, but sera from 8 (67%) of them showed increased IgG‐binding to platelet membranes. Absorbtion with cardiolipin reduced membrane binding in 6 (50%). C3 levels were normal, while low C4 values occurred in both groups with significantly lower levels in ACLA‐positive patients (p<0.05). Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were common in both groups.AbstractConclusion: The prevalence of ACLA is increased in ITP and sera from non‐ITP patients with ACLA react with fragmented platelet membranes. This reactivity is often decreased by absorption with cardiolipin, suggesting that ACLA bind to phospholipid epitopes on platelet membranes.
Characterization and regulation of interleukin‐4 receptor in adult T‐cell leukemia cells
Authors: Mori Naoki , Shirakawa Fumihiko , Murakami Shuichi , Oda Susumu , Eto Sumiya 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe studied the expression of the receptor of interleukin (IL)‐4, one of the T cell growth factors, on fresh peripheral blood leukemic cells from adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) patients. Flow cytofluorometric analysis with a monoclonal antibody to the IL‐4 receptor (IL‐4R) were used to investigate whether expression of IL‐4R on ATL cells is different from that on normal lymphocytes and other types of leukemic cells. Leukemic cells from acute type ATL patients synthesize IL‐4R without stimulation, at levels much higher than normal resting lymphocytes and other types of leukemic cells. Furthermore, leukemic cells from acute type ATL showed higher IL‐4R expression than that of chronic type ATL or human T‐cell leukemia virus type I carriers. In addition, there was correlation between expression of IL‐4R on the cell surface and the proliferative response to IL‐4. Both IL‐4 and IL‐2 induced upregulation of IL‐4R on activated normal T cells but not on ATL cells. These results suggest that abnormal expression of IL‐4R may display different biological activities in ATL compared with other types of leukemia. Furthermore, the high expression of IL‐4R in ATL may be involved in the proliferation of leukemic cells and the leukemogenesis in this disease.