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Isatuximab is an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Previous analyses of the IKEMA trial showed prolonged progression-free survival in patients with this disease who received isatuximab in combination with carfilzomib–dexamethasone as compared with those who received carfilzomib–dexamethasone alone. Herein, we report the analysis of overall survival from the IKEMA trial.

We propose a hydrogel immobilized with manganese porphyrin (MnP), a biomimetic superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) to modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hypoxia that impede the repair of large bone defects. Our hydrogel synthesis involved thiolated chitosan and polyethylene glycol-maleimide conjugated with MnPs (MnP-PEG-MAL), which enabled in situgelation via a click reaction. Through optimization, a hydrogel with mechanical properties and catalytic effects favorable for bone repair was selected. Additionally, the hydrogel was incorporated with risedronate to induce synergistic effects of ROS scavenging, O2generation, and sustained drug release. In vitrostudies demonstrated enhanced proliferation and differentiation of MG-63 cells and suppressed proliferation and differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells in ROS-rich environments. In vivoevaluation of a calvarial bone defect model revealed that this multifunctional hydrogel facilitated significant bone regeneration. Therefore, the hydrogel proposed in this study is a promising strategy for addressing complex wound environments and promoting effective bone healing.

[Display omitted] • Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MCM-48 NPs) are engineered for oral vaccine delivery. • The MCM-48 NPs are processed to expand their pores for effective loading of large molecule antigens. • The surface of the MCM-48 NPs is grafted with polyethylene glycol for facilitated mucopenetration. • The oral administrations of the antigen-loaded engineered MCM-48 NPs show similar in vivo immunization efficacy compared to subcutaneous injections of the same dose antigens. Although convenient, oral vaccination presents challenges due to low antigen stability and limited targeting efficiency in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To address these issues, we specifically engineered the MCM-48 nanoparticles (NPs) as carriers for oral vaccine delivery. To accommodate large molecule antigens, the MCM-48 NPs were processed to expand their pores (MCM-48-EP NPs). To provide the muco-penetrating property and facilitate efficient delivery to M cells in the Peyer's patches, the surface of the MCM-48-EP NPs was grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG). When loaded with a model antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), the engineered NPs retained approximately 75% of the antigens without significant release under simulated GI conditions. In vivo studies demonstrated that oral administration of the OVA-loaded engineered MCM-48 NPs elicited similar efficacy in systemic and mucosal immunization compared to subcutaneous injections of the same dose antigens. Therefore, we propose the PEG-grafted, pore-expanded MCM-48 NPs as promising carriers for oral vaccine delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced-toxicity conditioning (RTC) regimens aim to mitigate regimen-related toxicity while maintaining anti-leukemic efficacy in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We assessed outcomes of RTC regimens utilizing melphalan versus intravenous busulfan combined with fludarabine in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted with 149 consecutive adult ALL patients (median age 51, range 18–60) in remission undergoing allo-HSCT. Patients received either fludarabine 150 mg/BSA plus 2 days of melphalan 70 mg/BSA (FM140, n= 76) from 2009 to 2015 or fludarabine plus 3 days of busulfan 3.2 mg/kg (FB9.6, n= 73) from 2016 to 2021. At 5 years post-HSCT, FM140 demonstrated superior disease-free survival (53.4% vs. 30.5%, p= 0.007) and lower cumulative relapse (27.4% vs. 46.8%, p= 0.026) than FB9.6. Five-year overall survival and non-relapse mortality did not significantly differ. FM140 exhibited a higher incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grades II-IV (49.3% vs. 30.3%, p= 0.016), though rates of acute GVHD grades III-IV and chronic GVHD were similar. Multivariate analysis identified Philadelphia chromosome and minimal residual disease positive status, and FB9.6 conditioning as predictors of increased relapse and poorer disease-free survival. FM140 RTC regimen displayed significantly reduced relapse and superior disease-free survival compared to FB9.6 in ALL patients undergoing allo-HSCT, highlighting its current clinical utility.

In the present study, reduced toxicity (FluBu3) and myeloablative (BuCy) conditioning were compared in patients with AML who received first allogeneic HSCT in MRD-negative CR1. The study included 124 adult patients who underwent HSCT from an HLA-matched (8/8) sibling, unrelated, or 1-locus mismatched (7/8) unrelated donor (MMUD). The median age was 45 years and intermediate cytogenetics comprised majority (71.8%). The 2-year OS, RFS, CIR and NRM for BuCy (n= 78, 62.9%) and FluBu3 (n= 46, 37.1%) groups were 78.3% and 84.5% (p= 0.358), 78.0% and 76.3% (p= 0.806), 7.7% and 21.5% (p= 0.074) and 14.3% and 2.2% (p= 0.032), respectively. At the time of data cut-off, relapse and NRM were the main causes of HSCT failure in each of the FluBu3 and BuCy arms. Among patients, 75% of relapsed FluBu3 patients had high-risk features of either poor cytogenetics or FLT3-ITD mutation compared with 16.7% of BuCy patients. The majority of NRM in the BuCy group was due to GVHD (73%), half of whom received MMUD transplantation. To conclude, the FluBu3 reduced toxicity conditioning showed comparable post-transplant OS and RFS to BuCy and was associated with significantly reduced NRM that was offset by a trend towards higher risk of relapse even in MRD-negative CR1 population.

Measurable residual disease (MRD) evaluation may help to guide treatment duration in multiple myeloma (MM). Paradoxically, limited longitudinal data exist on MRD during maintenance. We investigated the prognostic value of MRD dynamics in 1280 transplant-eligible and -ineligible patients from the TOURMALINE-MM3 and -MM4 randomized placebo-controlled phase 3 studies of 2-year ixazomib maintenance. MRD status at randomization showed independent prognostic value (median progression-free survival [PFS], 38.6 vs 15.6 months in MRD− vs MRD+ patients; HR, 0.47). However, MRD dynamics during maintenance provided more detailed risk stratification. A 14-month landmark analysis showed prolonged PFS in patients converting from MRD+ to MRD− status vs those with persistent MRD+ status (76.8% vs 27.6% 2-year PFS rates). Prolonged PFS was observed in patients with sustained MRD− status vs those converting from MRD− to MRD+ status (75.0% vs 34.2% 2-year PFS rates). Similar results were observed at a 28-month landmark analysis. Ixazomib maintenance vs placebo improved PFS in patients who were MRD+ at randomization (median, 18.8 vs 11.6 months; HR, 0.65) or at the 14-month landmark (median, 16.8 vs 10.6 months; HR, 0.65); no difference was observed in patients who were MRD−. This is the largest MM population undergoing yearly MRD evaluation during maintenance reported to date. We demonstrate the limited prognostic value of a single–time point MRD evaluation, because MRD dynamics over time substantially impact PFS risk. These findings support MRD− status as a relevant end point during maintenance and confirm the increased progression risk in patients converting to MRD+ from MRD− status. These trials were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02181413 and #NCT02312258.

Nine new sesquiterpenes, hyperhubeins A–I (1–9), and 14 known analogues (10–23) were isolated from the aerial portions of Hypericum hubeiense. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined unambiguously via spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 1–3possess an unprecedented sesquiterpene carbon skeleton. Further, a plausible biosynthetic pathway from farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) is proposed. The isolated phytochemicals were evaluated for neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory properties in vitro. Compounds 1, 2, 5–8, 14, and 21displayed notable neuroprotective activity against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced lesions in PC-12 cells at 10 μM. Additionally, compounds 1, 2, 12, and 13exhibited inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in BV-2 microglial cells, with their IC50values ranging from 4.92 to 6.81 μM. Possible interactions between these bioactive compounds and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were predicted via molecular docking. Moreover, Western blotting indicated that compound 12exerted anti-neuroinflammatory activity by suppressing LPS-stimulated expression of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and inhibiting consequent activation of nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling.

•In a substantial number of patient, renal response is underestimated based on the International Myeloma Working Group criteria.•Renal benefit was operationally defined as a sustained (for at least 3 months) increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >15 mL/min/1.73 m2over baseline.•The achievement of renal benefit was independently associated with early recovery of eGFRs (≥5 mL/min/1.73 m2) within 3 days prior to the initiation of protocol-based treatment.•The mean eGFR improved significantly until 4 months after the initial treatment period, and this improvement disappeared gradually after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), but overall renal function was not worsened after ASCT.

[Display omitted] Eye drops are often prescribed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in the anterior segment of the eye; however, owing to rapid preocular drug clearance, frequent administration is required. In this study, we propose the noninvasive iontophoretic delivery of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles loaded with the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone (DXT). After topical administration of DXT-loaded nanoparticles (DXT-NP) to the eye, we applied iontophoresis with electrodes attached to the skin of the forehead and eyelid. Iontophoresis increased the amount of DXT-NP permeated into the eye tissues of rabbits by ten folds compared to that without iontophoresis. One-time iontophoretic delivery of DXT-NP released the drug, in a sustained manner, in the aqueous humor of the eye for more than 10 days. In contrast, the drug was cleared rapidly in hours with Maxidex®, a commercially available eye drop of DXT. Therefore, iontophoretic delivery of DXT-loaded nanoparticles is a promising strategy to enhance drug bioavailability and reduce the frequency of topical drug administration to the eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of early treatment for biochemical relapse of multiple myeloma (MM) is unclear. To clarify this issue, this retrospective study was performed to evaluate the survival outcomes of 315 patients with relapsed MM after upfront autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Over a median follow-up of 66.6 months (range, 15.1–195.5 months), 48.2% of patients showed biochemical relapse, 41.3% showed clinical relapse, and 10.5% showed significant biochemical relapse. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were inferior for patients with clinical relapse compared to the other patients. Multivariate analysis showed that clinical relapse was an independent prognostic factor for OS. In patients with biochemical relapse, there was no significant difference in survival between patients treated while asymptomatic and those treated once clinical symptoms had appeared. Relapse type after upfront ASCT was a significant prognostic factor in patients with MM. In addition, no survival benefit of early treatment at biochemical relapse was observed, but a triplet regimen may be beneficial for MM patients with biochemical relapse.

[Display omitted] • Electroless deposition conditions on Pd membrane structures are systematically studied. • Three different hydrogen membrane configurations were developed and tested. • A module with twelve replaceable membranes was obtained. • An advanced membrane module for the hydrogen separation at high pressure is tested. • Gas permeation measurements revealed values above 0.4487 mol/m2s for the H 2 flux. A phase-inversion approach was used to manufacture Al 2 O 3 hollow fibre supports, which were then sintered at 1723 K. The electroless plating technique is developed to prepare palladium-coated Al 2 O 3 hollow fibre membranes for hydrogen separation. Three different scaling-up configurations were produced and tested: single membrane, membrane unit obtained by assembling three membranes, and advanced membrane module obtained by assembling twelve replaceable membranes. The hydrogen flux was investigated under vacuum and without vacuum using a feed gas of pure H 2 (100%) and a binary feed gas mixture of H 2 (80%) and CO 2 (20%) at different feed gas pressures (100–800 kPa), feed gas rate (0.2–6.0 L min−1), and temperature (673–723 K). The hydrogen flux increases from 0.2162 mol m−2 s−1 (feed gas pressure = 600 kPa, feed gas rate = 0.2 L min−1) to 0.4487 mol m−2 s−1 (feed gas pressure = 800 kPa, feed gas rate = 6.0 L min−1) under the binary gas mixture at 723 K by switching from a single to the advanced membrane module, while the hydrogen purity remains above 97.5% throughout the experiment. Some aspects about the scalability of palladium-coated Al 2 O 3 hollow fibre membranes for hydrogen separation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that there are only a few prospective studies with conflicting results, we investigated the prognostic value of multiparameter geriatric assessment (GA) domains on tolerance and outcomes after intensive chemotherapy in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In all, 105 newly diagnosed patients with AML who were older than age 60 years and who received intensive chemotherapy consisting of cytarabine and idarubicin were enrolled prospectively. Pretreatment GA included evaluations for social and nutritional support, cognition, depression, distress, and physical function. The median age was 64 years (range, 60-75 years), and 93% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score <2. Between 32.4% and 69.5% of patients met the criteria for impairment for each domain of GA. Physical impairment by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and cognitive dysfunction by the Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) Assessment Packet (MMSE-KC) were significantly associated with nonfatal toxicities, including grade 3 to 4 infections (SPPB, P = .024; MMSE-KC, P = .044), acute renal failure (SPPB, P = .013), and/or prolonged hospitalization (≥40 days) during induction chemotherapy (MMSE-KC, P = .005). Reduced physical function by SPPB and depressive symptoms by the Korean version of the short form of geriatric depression scales (SGDS-K) were significantly associated with inferior survival (SPPB, P = .027; SGDS-K, P = .048). Gait speed and sit-and-stand speed were the most powerful measurements for predicting survival outcomes. Notably, the addition of SPPB and SGDS-K, gait speed and SGDS-K, or sit-and-stand speed and SGDS-K significantly improved the power of existing survival prediction models. In conclusion, GA improved risk stratification for treatment decisions and may inform interventions to improve outcomes for older adults with AML. This study was registered at the Clinical Research Information Service as #KCT0002172.

Given that there are only a few prospective studies with conflicting results, we investigated the prognostic value of multiparameter geriatric assessment (GA) domains on tolerance and outcomes after intensive chemotherapy in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In all, 105 newly diagnosed patients with AML who were older than age 60 years and who received intensive chemotherapy consisting of cytarabine and idarubicin were enrolled prospectively. Pretreatment GA included evaluations for social and nutritional support, cognition, depression, distress, and physical function. The median age was 64 years (range, 60-75 years), and 93% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score <2. Between 32.4% and 69.5% of patients met the criteria for impairment for each domain of GA. Physical impairment by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and cognitive dysfunction by the Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) Assessment Packet (MMSE-KC) were significantly associated with nonfatal toxicities, including grade 3 to 4 infections (SPPB, P= .024; MMSE-KC, P= .044), acute renal failure (SPPB, P= .013), and/or prolonged hospitalization (≥40 days) during induction chemotherapy (MMSE-KC, P= .005). Reduced physical function by SPPB and depressive symptoms by the Korean version of the short form of geriatric depression scales (SGDS-K) were significantly associated with inferior survival (SPPB, P= .027; SGDS-K, P= .048). Gait speed and sit-and-stand speed were the most powerful measurements for predicting survival outcomes. Notably, the addition of SPPB and SGDS-K, gait speed and SGDS-K, or sit-and-stand speed and SGDS-K significantly improved the power of existing survival prediction models. In conclusion, GA improved risk stratification for treatment decisions and may inform interventions to improve outcomes for older adults with AML. This study was registered at the Clinical Research Information Service as #KCT0002172.

[Display omitted] • H-ZSM-5 zeolite and activated charcoal were studied for catalytic cracking reaction. • Wavy microchannel reactor coated with catalyst to improve diffusion pathway. • Binder coating was performed to prepare the catalysts coated reactors. • Activated charcoal had higher catalytic performances compared to H-ZSM-5 zeolite. • Wavy microchannel reactor can be applied for enhancement of catalytic performances. The present work is the first detailed description of the endothermic catalytic reaction of methylcyclohexane (MCH) over H-ZSM-5 zeolites (HZ) and activated charcoals (AC) coated in a multichannel micro-reactor module with novel ultra-compact wavy structure (MR) under supercritical conditions (550 °C, 5 MPa). The MR has an ultra-compact structure with nine micro-channels in parallel that exhibit a size of 120 × 30 mm and a total cross-sectional area of 36 cm2. The catalytic performance of the conventional tube reactor (TR) packed with HZ and AC catalysts was also studied for comparative purposes. All catalysts and reactors were characterized using various techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH 3 -TPD). In general, MRs showed always a significantly enhanced MCH conversion (%) performance and heat sink compared with conventional TRs. AC-coated MR showed the highest MCH conversion (%) performance compared to the other reactors. MCH conversion (%) was higher in the following order AC-coated MR (78.70%) > AC-packed TR (70.49%) > HZ-coated MR (68.87%) > HZ-packed TR (54.81%). The AC-coated MR can be one of the candidates for a heat-absorbing reaction for aircraft cooling system control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using traditional statistical methods, we previously analyzed the risk factors and treatment outcomes of veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Within the same cohort, we applied machine learning to create prediction and recommendation models. We analyzed 2572 transplants using eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) to predict post-transplant VOD/SOS and early death. Using the XGBoost and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), we found influential factors and devised recommendation models, which were internally verified by repetitive ten-fold cross-validation. SHAP values suggested that gender, busulfan dosage, age, forced expiratory volume, and Disease Risk Index were significant factors for VOD/SOS. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves and the areas under the precision-recall curve of the models were 0.740, 0.144 for all VOD/SOS, 0.793, 0.793 for severe to very severe VOD/SOS, and 0.746, 0.304 for early death. According to our single feature recommendation, following the busulfan dosage was the most effective for preventing VOD/SOS. The recommendation method for six adjustable feature sets was also validated, and a subgroup corresponding to five to six features showed significant preventive power for VOD/SOS and early death. Our personalized treatment set recommendation showed reproducibility in repetitive internal validation, but large external cohorts should prospectively validate our model.

[Display omitted] Metal–organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles are promising carriers for the internal delivery of therapeutics to the cells; however, the effects of their shape on cellular uptake have not yet been clearly evaluated. Therefore, we synthesized biocompatible Fe-based MOF nanoparticles of two distinct shapes—rods and octahedrons (NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe)-ROD and NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe)-OCTA, respectively)—and evaluated their cellular uptake kinetics and mechanisms using three different cell lines (HeLa, MDA-MB-231, and L929). Although both nanoparticles possessed the same constituent metal, organic linkers, and thus, crystalline structures, a more rapid uptake was observed with NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe)-OCTA, whereas NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe)-ROD were endocytosed in a more sustained manner. This could be ascribed to the large number of sharp edges available in NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe)-OCTA particles; hence, there were more points of expedited entry into the cells via a clathrin-mediated pathway. The findings herein provide important information for the application of the MOF nanoparticles as intracellular drug delivery carriers, especially when they can be prepared in different shapes with the same composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the controversies in the prognostic value of KITmutations and optimal thresholds and time points of MRD monitoring for AML with CBFB-MYH11, we retrospectively evaluated 88 patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT, n= 60) or autologous HSCT (Auto-HSCT, n= 28). The D816V KITmutation was significantly associated with post-transplant relapse, contrasting with other types of mutations in KIT. Pre- and post-transplant (3 months after transplant) CBFB-MYH11MRD assessments were useful in predicting post-transplant relapse and poor survival. The optimal threshold was determined as a 2 log reduction at both time points. In multivariate analysis, the D816V KITmutation and CBFB-MYH11MRD assessments were independently associated with post-transplant relapse and survival. Stratification by D816V KITand pre-transplant CBFB-MYH11MRD status further distinguished the risk of relapse and survival. Auto-HSCT was superior to Allo-HSCT in MRD negative patients without D816V KIT, while Allo-HSCT trended to be superior to Auto-HSCT in patients with MRD positivity or the D816V KITmutation. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the differentiated prognostic value of the D816V KITmutation in AML with CBFB-MYH11and clarified optimal time points and thresholds for CBFB-MYH11MRD monitoring in the setting of HSCT.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the most effective postremission therapy conferring the chance of cure for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including elderly patients. Although the number of transplantations for elderly patients with AML (eAML) is increasing owing to greater availability of various graft sources together with the adoption of advanced supportive care and reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen, there are relatively limited data on the impact of donor type in eAML compared to younger patients. In addition, few studies have evaluated the role of pretransplantation measurable residual disease (MRD) in the elderly population. Given the lack of prospective comparative study, we retrospectively compared transplantation outcomes of elderly patient with AML receiving allo-HSCT from matched sibling donor (MSD-HSCT), matched unrelated donor (MUD-HSCT) or haploidentical related donor (Haplo-HSCT), or autologous HSCT (Auto-HSCT). A total of 154 patients with a median age of 63 years (range 60-74) underwent MSD-HSCT (n = 41), MUD-HSCT (n = 36), Haplo-HSCT (n = 55), or Auto-HSCT (n = 22) for AML. RIC regimens were used in the majority of patients. In Haplo-HSCT, T-cell-replete peripheral blood stem cells with unique RIC regimens using anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG)-based GVHD prophylaxis was used. In the analysis, adjustment for MRD status at the time of transplantation was performed. MRD was measured by the quantitative molecular assays of the targets, including RUNX1-RUNX1T1, CBFB-MYH11, and NPM1, or WT1in the absence of abnormalities in the aforementioned targets. At a median follow-up of 48 months, survival rates were similar between different donor types, whereas nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was lower in MUD-HSCT compared to MSD-HSCT (P = .002). MSD-HSCT, in which the majority of patients received a conditioning regimen not including ATG, showed more frequent severe chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). The major causes of non-relapse deaths in MSD-HSCT were related to cGVHD (71%), whereas infectious complications were mainly related to NRM in Haplo-HSCT (50%) or Auto-HSCT (100%). In the MUD-HSCT, GVHD (57%) and infection (43%) contributed similarly to non-relapse death. Cytomegalovirus infection was more frequent in Haplo-HSCT. In multivariate models, pre-transplant MRD-positivity was an independent risk factor for relapse (P = .001), whereas older age (P = .002) and the hematopoietic cell transplantation-comorbidity index (P = .009) were useful in predicting NRM. The current study demonstrated comparable outcomes after alternative and matched sibling donor HSCT in eAML aged 60 years or older, and the results also suggest the necessity for more sophisticated strategies to reduce NRM or relapse according to each donor type. The usefulness of molecular MRD assays demonstrated herein will facilitate trials for MRD-driven decision-making or risk-adaptive approaches in eAML.

[Display omitted] • A new emerging topic in CO 2 gas separation and chemical engineering was presented. • CO 2 absorption using a hydrophobic modified ceramic hollow fiber membrane contactor. • CO 2 capture performances in twenty-one amine-based absorption systems were examined. • CO 2 capture performance order was MEA ≥ DEA ≥ PZ > AMP > MDEA. • MDEA blended DEA reaches a percentage of increase of CO 2 absorption flux over 500%. The present study has endeavored to establish the relations between the CO 2 absorption properties of five single amine-based absorbents including monoethanolamine (MEA), diethylamine (DEA), N -methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), and piperazine (PZ), and their sixteen binary mixtures in the blended amine-based absorbents for CO 2 chemical absorption using a hydrophobic modified ceramic hollow fiber membrane contactor (HFMC). Keeping all other variables constant, the CO 2 absorption properties of single and blended amine-based absorbents for CO 2 chemical absorption using hydrophobic modified ceramic HFMCs are highly dependent on their chemical nature and concentration. MEA and DEA have the highest CO 2 absorption flux among the single amine solutions. For the CO 2 absorption in the blended amine-based absorbents, the replacement of MDEA with 20 wt% DEA increased the CO 2 chemical absorption from 1 × 104 mol/m2 s to about 7 × 104 mol/m2 s. Aqueous MDEA blended DEA reaches a percentage of increase of CO 2 absorption flux over 500% in comparison with the corresponding aqueous solution of single MDEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We attempted to identify the incidence and survival outcome of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease (VOD/SOS) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) under strategy of prophylactic ursodiol and intravenous heparin or prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). From 2009 to 2018, 2572 consecutive allogeneic-HCT cases were reviewed. We used oral ursodiol for all transplants, and most were administered low-dose heparin, while PGE1 in selected cases with low platelet count at the time of preconditioning. Diagnosis and severity grades were reassessed by revised EBMT criteria. The overall incidence of hepatic VOD/SOS was 3.4% (Mild 0.9%, Moderate 0.6%, Severe 0.7%, Very severe 1.2%) after allogeneic-HCT under strategy of intravenous prophylaxis. The 1-year overall survival of VOD/SOS was 41.4% which was divided into 73.9% for mild, 66.7% for moderate, 38.9% for severe, and 6.5% for very severe grade. Very high disease risk index, male gender, donor other than matched sibling donor, and busulfex > 9 mg/kg were affecting factors for development of VOD/SOS. For severe to very severe VOD/SOS, history of pre-HCT liver dysfunction was an additionally affecting factor. Allogeneic-HCT using ursodiol and intravenous prophylaxis was considered safe without significant bleeding complications and should be evaluated in future clinical trials. For those with high-risk of VOD/SOS, early intervention and management is important.

Maintenance therapy following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) can delay disease progression and prolong survival in patients with multiple myeloma. Ixazomib is ideally suited for maintenance therapy given its convenient once-weekly oral dosing and low toxicity profile. In this study, we aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of ixazomib as maintenance therapy following ASCT.

Isatuximab is an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody approved in combination with pomalidomide–dexamethasone and carfilzomib–dexamethasone for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. This phase 3, open-label study compared the efficacy of isatuximab plus carfilzomib–dexamethasone versus carfilzomib–dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.