G-CSF stimulated donor granulocyte collections for prophylaxis and therapy of neutropenic sepsis

Background: The administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) increases the granulocyte count in normal donors and enables the collection of large numbers of mature myeloid cells by leukapheresis. This has potential value in the treatment of sepsis unresponsive to antibiotics in patients with severe neutropenia. Aim: To evaluate the tolerability of granulocyte collections in normal donors receiving G-CSF, the optimal method of collection and the clinical factors influencing the efficacy of granulocyte infusions. Methods: Analysis of the outcome of 55 granulocyte collections from 26 donors for progressive bacterial or fungal sepsis in neutropenic patients (n-8) or as prophylaxis in patients with recent fungal infections undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) (n=3). Results: G-CSF was well tolerated in most donors. Fatigue occurred commonly after the second collection. The median WCC per 200–220 mL bag was 351X10⁹7L. Collections were optimised with the use of a sedimenting agent (dextran) and a deepened interface setting on the cell separator. There was only a weak correlation between the number of granulocytes infused and the increment in the patient, but levels were usually maintained 0.5X 10⁹7L for the next 24 hours. The infusions were successful in three septic patients without multi-organ dysfunction and prophylactically, in two patients with localised fungal infections undergoing MBT The infusions were not beneficial in patients with septicaemia and established organ dysfunction or with extensive pulmonary aspergillosis. Conclusions: G-CSF mobilised granulocyte collections are feasible and the preliminary evidence suggests that the infusion of these cells may be useful early in the prophylaxis or treatment of severe neutropenic sepsis.     

IL-18、hs-CRP在亚临床甲减孕妇血清中的变化及其意义

目的 探讨白细胞介素18(IL-18)和超敏C反应蛋白(high sensitivity-C reactive protein,hs-CRP)在亚临床甲减孕妇血清中的变化及其意义.方法 选取2013年10月至2015年3月在唐山市妇幼保健院妇产科检查的亚临床甲减(SCH)孕妇115例为观察组,根据甲状腺自身抗体情况分为A组(甲状腺自身抗体阳性的SCH孕妇)53例、B组(甲状腺自身抗体阴性的SCH孕妇)62例,另选同期健康体检孕妇50例为对照组.化学发光法检测促甲状腺激素(TSH)、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)、甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb);ELISA法检测白细胞介素18(IL-18);全自动生化检测hs-CRP,对结果进行分析比较.结果 A组、B组孕妇血清IL-18和hs-CRP水平均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);A组血清IL-18水平高于B组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).IL-18、hs-CRP与TSH呈正相关(r=0.494 ～0.627,P＜0.05).结论 IL-18、hs-CRP共同参与SCH的病理生理过程,可作为SCH早期诊断、治疗和预后判断的重要指标.     

Should prophylactic granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor be used in multiple myeloma patients developing neutropenia under lenalidomide‐based therapy?

Lenalidomide combined with dexamethasone has significant clinical activity in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). In previous clinical trials lenalidomide-induced neutropenia was a frequent side-effect, often leading to treatment delays and dose reductions. We describe three MM patients treated with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, which developed grade 3/4 neutropenia during the initial cycles, but without serious infection. Administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 3 d prevented further neutropenia, treatment delays, dose reductions, or infectious complications during the following cycles. Consequently, G-CSF could be effective in preventing further neutropenia-related complications without compromising treatment efficacy in MM patients with lenalidomide-induced neutropenia.     

Neonatal RBC transfusions: Do benefits outweigh risks?

Preterm neonates represent one of the most transfused categories of patients. Their target hematocrits, however, are mainly based on expert opinion. The risk of transfusions are very high in the smallest preterm baby with a weak immune response, immature antioxidant ability, fragile germinal matrix and impaired cerebral autoregulation, yet red cell transfusions remain the only life saving measure in the baby with symptomatic anemia.Minimizing phlebotomy losses, following a restrictive transfusion policy and using screened, leukocyte depleted, irradiated, single donor blood remain the best means of avoiding the possible risks while maximizing the benefits of red cell transfusions in the preterm newborn.     

广州市孕妇碘营养状况研究

目的　了解广州市孕妇 (孕中、晚期 )碘营养状况。方法　用砷 -铈接触法测定尿碘 ,用放射免疫分析法 (RIA )测定血清甲状腺素 (T4 )、促甲状腺激素 (TSH )。结果　孕妇孕中期尿碘中位数为 2 4 9.3μg/ L ,<10 0μg/ L者占 4 .5 % ;孕晚期尿碘中位数为 2 4 1.2μg/ L ,<10 0μg/ L者占 12 .5 % ,两期尿碘值差异无显著意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。孕中期血清 T4 (15 7.0± 6 6 .4 ) nmol/ L ,在正常范围 (5 4～ 174 nm ol/ L )者占 5 8.2 % ,超过 174 nmol/ L者占38.8% ;孕晚期血清 T4 (12 4 .4± 5 9.4 ) nm ol/ L ,在正常范围者占 78.3% ,超过 174 nmol/ L者占 13.0 %。孕中期血清 TSH (中位数 3.9m U / L ) <5 m U / L者占 6 5 .7% ,>5 m U / L者占 34.3% ;孕晚期血清 TSH (中位数 6 .9m U / L ) <5 m U/ L者占 18.2 % ,>5 m U / L者占 81.8%。两期自身对照 TSH>5 m U / L与 <5 m U / L人数构成差异有非常显著意义 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　广州市孕妇碘营养状况良好 ;孕晚期血清 TSH>5 m U / L者 (81.8% )较多 ,与尿碘、T4 水平不一致 ,有待进一步研究     

Granulopoietic studies in acute lymphocytic leukemia of children

Summary Studies have been carried out on the levels of serum and urine colony stimulating activity (CSA) and peripheral blood and bone marrow colony forming cell numbers in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) during various phases of their disease. These studies have suggested that serum and urine levels of colony stimulating factor are reduced during the initial or relapse phase of the disease compared to levels found during remission. It has also been found that the number of bone marrow colony forming cells is reduced in relapse or before treatment and elevated during remission while the number of peripheral blood colony forming cells is increased during relapse or before treatment and normal during remission. It has also been shown that mixing of serum or leukemic cells with normal human bone marrow cells inhibits colony formation.Supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (1R01CA11305-5 and CA05058-10), American Cancer Society, Colorado Division, Maytag Memorial Grant and Public Health Service Research Grant CA12247 from the National Cancer Institute.     

The in vitro effects of stem cell factor, interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor on haemopoietic progenitor cells from premature infants

Summary. Circulating haemopoietic progenitor cells from premature infants were assessed for their ability to respond to interleukin 3, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and stem cell factor (SCF) in vitro. All three cytokines increased the number of colonies derived from burst forming units erythroid (BFU-E), colony forming units granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and multi-lineage progenitors (CFU-Mix) grown in the presence of erythropoietin (Epo). The size and haemoglobin content of BFU-E derived colonies also increased in the presence of the cytokines. Of those tested, SCF was found to be the most potent additive to Epo for the enhanced growth of BFU-E and CFU-Mix. In short-term liquid cultures without Epo, SCF alone induced globin synthesizing cells. Progenitors from premature infants were at least as responsive to all three cytokines as those from healthy adults. The use of SCF in combination with Epo in the prevention or treatment of anaemia in premature infants warrants further investigation.     

Successful treatment of autoimmune neutropenia with recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (R-metHuG-CSF)

Autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) is characterized by antibody mediated peripheral destruction of neutrophils. Since there is no effective treatment, antibiotics have to be used frequently for recurrent infections. Five selected patients with serologically proven AIN were treated with r-metHuG-CSF at 5–8 μg/kg body weight (300–480 μg) daily; the dose and frequency of r-metHuG-CSF was reduced after neutrophil counts above 1.0×10⁹/l were obtained. R-metHuG-CSF is effective in AIN and causes a sustained rise in ANC which can be maintained on a low dose administered twice or thrice weekly.     

Career intentions,their influences and motivational factors in diagnostic radiography: A survey of undergraduate students

IntroductionThe choice of career and speciality can be a complex process. It is unclear what influences career decisions within undergraduate radiographers and whether the curriculum provides sufficient support.MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey was undertaken. All undergraduate diagnostic radiography students within one UK higher education institution were invited to participate. Questions were related to anticipated career choice, motivational factors and influences.ResultsThe response rate was 67.6% (90/133). The most popular specialist area for career preference was general radiography. The top three motivational factors were work life balance, career development and job satisfaction. The most influential factors on career choice were clinical placements, radiographers on placements and formal teaching. Career guidance was predominantly sourced from the personal academic tutor and was informed by role models.ConclusionRadiography academic teams and clinical placement providers must work together to ensure that students have access to high quality placements across specialities. The experiences received during undergraduate training are important in specialty choice.Implications for practiceCareer guidance is essential and should begin as early as possible. Clinical and academic radiographers need to appreciate the influence they have on students future career plans.     

A randomized comparison of once versus twice daily recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (filgrastim) for stem cell mobilization in healthy donors for allogeneic transplantation

To evaluate the schedule dependency of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (filgrastim) for stem cell mobilization, we conducted a randomized comparison in 50 healthy donors, with one subcutaneous daily injection of 10 microg/kg G-CSF (n = 25) compared with twice injections daily of 5 microg/kg G-CSF (n = 25). The two groups were well balanced for age, body weight and sex. G-CSF application was performed on an out-patient basis and leukapheresis was started in all donors on day 5. The most frequent side-effects of G-CSF were mild to moderate bone pain (88%), mild headache (72%), mild fatigue (48-60%) and nausea (8%) without differences between the two groups. The CD34(+) cell count in the first apheresis was 5.4 x 10(6)/kg donor weight (range 2.8-13.3) in the 2 x 5 microg/kg group compared with 4.0 x 10(6)/kg (range 0.4-8.8) in the 1 x 10 microg/kg group (P = 0.007). The target of collecting > 3.0 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg donor weight with one apheresis procedure was achieved in 24/25 (96%) donors in the 2 x 5 microg/kg group and in 17/25 (68%) donors in the 1 x 10 microg/kg group. The target of collecting > 5.0 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg in the first apheresis was achieved in 64% in the 2 x 5 microg/kg group, but in only 36% in the 1 x 10 microg/kg group. The progenitor cell assay for granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) and erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) was higher in the 2 x 5 microg/kg group than in the 1 x 10 microg/kg group (7.0 vs. 3.5 x 10(5)/kg, P = 0.01; 6.6 vs. 5.0 x 10(5)/kg; P = 0.1). Administering G-CSF (filgrastim) at a dosage of 5 microg/kg twice daily rather than 10 microg/kg once daily is recommended; this leads to a higher CD34(+) cell yield and requires fewer apheresis procedures without increasing toxicity or cost.