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Background: No specific data have been systematically collected regarding lymphoma patient characteristics, while non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is identified as the 7th most common cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is the 28th. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of lymphoma. Malnutrition is an adverse prognostic factor in lymphoma. Systemic Inflammatory Index (SII), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index (ALI) were biomarkers depicting inflammation and nutritional status. This study aims to describe the clinical and biomarker characteristics of both HL and NHL patients. Methods: This descriptive study used a cross-sectional design, and data were collected from Hasan Sadikin Hospital lymphoma registry from January 2020 to November 2023. Demographic, staging, and histopathological data were extracted. Three biomarkers were evaluated. Survival curves were drawn using Kaplan–Meier curve analysis, and the log rank test was used for comparison of survival between early and advanced stage. Results: A total of 271 patients were recruited as participants, and the majority (80.5%) had NHL, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) being the most common histopathological type (50.5%). Early disease was observed in two-thirds of patients, and low-risk International Prognostic Index (IPI) score was the most common prognostic score found (95%). SII was slightly higher in early compared to advanced stages. Treatment response was evaluated from 101 patients, and complete response was observed in 44.5%. Two-year overall survival (OS) was 93.1%, with median survival 22.7 (95% CI 21.9– 23.5) months. In early stage, the median survival was slightly longer than in advanced stage [23.0 (95% CI 22.2– 23.8) vs 21.6 (95% CI 19.3– 23.8) months, P= 0.09]. Conclusion: Hodgkin lymphoma and DLBCL had similar clinical and biomarker characteristics. There were slight differences between the three biomarkers SII, ALI, and PNI based on the disease stage. Almost all patients still survived at 2-year follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult to distinguish febrile patient infected by SARS-CoV-2 or bacterial causes. Howell-Jolly bodies are a well-known entity found in red blood cells. They are nuclear fragments, composed of deoxyribonucleic acid, commonly observed in the peripheral blood smears of hyposplenic or asplenic patients. Recently, similar inclusions often referred to as Howell-Jolly body-like inclusions (HJBLIs) have been reported in the neutrophils of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and COVID-19 patient. Aim: To explore whether HJBLIs in peripheral blood smear could differentiate between patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial pneumonia. Methods: We performed cross-sectional study using secondary data from COVID-19 database and re-evaluated peripheral blood smears to identify HJBLIs. We included confirmed COVID-19 adults age 18 years who were hospitalized in Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia from March 1st 2020–May 31st 2020. We also examined peripheral blood smears in patients with confirmed bacterial pneumonia as a control group. Clinical characteristics including disease severity, CURB-65 score, comorbidity, and the present of HJBLIs in peripheral blood smears were evaluated. Results: Overall, 33 patients were included: 22 were confirmed COVID-19 and 11 were confirmed bacterial pneumonia. The median (interquartile range) age in COVID-19 and patients with bacterial pneumonia were 53 years (40– 64) vs 57 years (53– 71), respectively. Compared with patients with bacterial pneumonia, HJBLIs were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients [21/22 (80.8%) vs 5/11 (45.5%), p 0.001]. Conclusion: Howell-Jolly body-like inclusions could be a potential feature to help differentiate between COVID-19 and bacterial pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prussian blue staining examination is the current gold standard for evaluation of bone marrow iron storage. This procedure requires bone marrow aspiration examination, which is physically uncomfortable, expensive, and burdensome for patients. Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET-He) determination is a method used to detect hemoglobin in reticulocytes, an indicator of potential iron deficiency and erythropoietic disorders. The purpose of this study is to assess RET-He as a method of measuring bone marrow iron storage. From August-December 2017, secondary data were collected from 50 patients (24 females and 26 males) without history of blood transfusion four days prior to RET-He. Data was analyzed using chi-squared and unpaired t-test. Between positive and negative bone marrow iron storage groups, there were significant differences in mean age (44 vs. 53 y, respectively, p= 0.024) and RET-He (29.7 vs. 26.9, respectively, p= 0.041). Based on ROC analyses, the AUC score was 0.672 (p= 0.030), which indicates that RET-He > 28.8 represents positive bone marrow iron storage with 72.0% sensitivity and 68.0% specificity. RET-He can be used as a method of measuring bone marrow iron storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of interferon (IFN)-α, β and γ on the growth of DHL-4 diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells was studied. IFN-β significantly inhibited the cell growth, and the effect was stronger than that of IFN-α. IFN-γ did not inhibit the cell growth because of lack of IFN-γ receptors. IFN-β caused apoptotic cell death which was accompanied by DNA fragmentation, caspase 3 activation and annexin V binding. IFN-β lead to the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) mRNA. Anti-TRAIL antibody significantly prevented IFN-β-induced apoptosis. It was suggested that IFN-β might cause apoptosis in DHL-4 cells through TRAIL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens and immune complex deposition. The pathogenesis of SLE is not fully understood; however, there are alterations in neutrophils and lymphocytes. Recent parameters assessing both neutrophil activations (Neut‐RI, Neut‐GI, IG) and activated lymphocytes (Re‐Lymp, As‐Lymp) can be used to assess the activation of immune cells. The aim of this study was to explore the potential role of this parameter in detecting active SLE. Methods: Cross‐sectional study using secondary data from Hasan Sadikin Lupus Registry. Parameters were examined using Sysmex XN‐1500. Lupus activity was determined according to SLEDAI‐2K. Results: This study included 30 active (SLEDAI 2K ≥ 4) and 30 inactive SLE patients. Compared to inactive SLE, active SLE showed significantly higher Neut‐RI (51.5 vs. 49.6 FL, p = 0.004), and lower Re‐Lymph (0.09 vs. 0.14 × 103/mm3, p = 0.024). There was no significant difference in Neut‐GI (150 vs. 151.6 SI, p = 0.359), As‐Lymp (0.02 vs. 0.01 × 103/mm3, p = 0.621), and IG (0.11 vs. 0.06 × 103/mm3, p = 0.384) between active and inactive SLE. Neut‐RI/Re‐Lymp ratio cutoff > 0.47 could distinguish between active and inactive SLE with AUC 0.689, 66.7% sensitivity, and 70.0% specificity. Conclusion: In active SLE, there is an elevation in Neut‐RI and a reduction in Re‐Lymp. Neut‐RI/Re‐Lymp ratio exceeding 0.47 could be used to detect active SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]