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In this paper, possible influences of various infill orientations (deposition angles) on specific material characteristics—such as tensile strength, compressive strength, charpy impact strength and heat deflection temperature (HDT)—of fused layer modeling (FLM) processed test specimens were evaluated. Two specially made wood filaments, made of the same polylactic acid (PLA) polymer but two different wood fiber contents, were used for sample manufacturing and evaluated as a function of fiber content as well as infill orientation. In the context of the wood fiber content, formulations containing 15 wt. % as well as 25 wt. % of fibers were examined. In connection with infill orientation, the influence factor of seven FLM 3D printing infill orientations (deposition angles)—in particular 0°, 15° crossed, 30° crossed, 45° crossed, 60° crossed, 75° crossed and 90°—on several material properties was investigated. It could be proven that there is a direct interaction between the infill orientation (deposition angle) and the resulting mechanical performance of the test specimens. This is not exclusively a direct correlation, but there is a mutual dependency. Apart from that, the analysis showed that the higher the fiber content in the filament, the higher the resulting mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autologous haematopoietic SCT (AHSCT) is increasingly used to control severe and refractory autoimmune diseases (AD). Many patients are women of reproductive age with a potential desire for children. We present a multicentre retrospective analysis of pregnancy and childbirth in patients who underwent AHSCT for AD. The databases of the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation and University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil were searched for female patients aged 18-50 years who had received AHSCT for AD between 1994-2011. In 324 adult female patients, 22 pregnancies were reported in 15 patients between 1997-2011. Indications for AHSCT included multiple sclerosis (n=7), systemic sclerosis (n=5), rheumatoid arthritis (n=1), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n=1) and Takayasu disease (n=1). Of the 22 reported pregnancies, 20 followed natural conception. 15 pregnancies (68%) resulted in healthy life births, whereas 7 (32%) failed. Exacerbations of AD occurred in two patients during second pregnancies. No maternal mortality was associated with pregnancy or postpartum. There were no reports of congenital, developmental or any other disease in the children. This retrospective analysis confirms the possibility of pregnancy and childbirth following AHSCT for severe AD. The outcome of pregnancy is generally good and most led to the birth of a healthy child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The median survival of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is 18-24 months, and fewer than 5% are alive and disease free at 5 years. We report toxicity and survival in a cohort of MBC patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous hematopoietic SCT (AHSCT) in Italy between 1990 and 2005. Data set for survival analysis has been obtained for 415 patients. Clinical parameters including probability of transplant-related mortality (TRM), PFS and OS. With a median follow-up of 27 months (range 0-172), OS and PFS at 5 and 10 years in the whole population were 47/23 and 32/14%, respectively. A total 239 patients are alive with a median follow-up of 33 months (range 2-174). Survival was significantly more pronounced in patients harboring hormone receptor positive tumors (P=0.028), without visceral metastases (P=0.009) and in women with chemosensitive disease (P<0.0001). Sixty eight patients (20.4%) who received HDC in partial response, stable or progressive disease underwent conversion to CR. TRM was 2.5% overall and 1.3% since 2000. Our findings suggest that could be a role for HDC and AHSCT in delaying disease progression and possibly cure a subset of MBC patient harboring chemosensitive tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hema e-Chart prospectively collected data on febrile events (FEs) in hematological malignancy patients (HMs). The aim of the study was to assess the number, causes and outcome of HM-related FEs. Data were collected in a computerized registry that systematically approached the study and the evolution of FEs developing in a cohort of adult HMs who were admitted to 19 hematology departments in Italy from March 2007 to December 2008. A total of 869 FEs in 3,197 patients with newly diagnosed HMs were recorded. Fever of unidentified origin (FUO) was observed in 386 cases (44.4%). The other causes of FE were identified as noninfectious in 48 cases (5.5%) and infectious in 435 cases (50.1%). Bacteria were the most common cause of infectious FEs (301 cases), followed by fungi (95 cases), and viruses (7 cases). Mixed agents were isolated in 32 episodes. The attributable mortality rate was 6.7% (58 FEs). No deaths were observed in viral infection or in the noninfectious groups, while 25 deaths were due to FUO, 16 to bacterial infections, 14 to fungal infections, and three to mixed infections. The Hema e-Chart provided a complete system for the epidemiological study of infectious complications in HMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BEAM is a widely used conditioning regimen for relapsed/refractory lymphoma patients undergoing auto-SCT. We conducted a multicenter study with an alternative regimen (fotemustine plus etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan (FEAM)) in which BCNU was substituted by the chloroethylnitrosourea fotemustine (FTM). Eighty-four patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin's (n=20) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n=64) were conditioned with a FEAM regimen (FTM 150 mg/m2 on days –7, –6, etoposide 200 mg/m2 and cytarabine 400 mg/m2 on days –5, –4, –3, –2 and melphalan 140 mg/m2 on day –1). Patients were evaluated for toxicity and engraftment parameters. Median times to neutrophil (>500 × 109/l) and plt (>20 000 × 109/l) engraftment were 11 and 13 days, respectively. Grade 3 mucositis occurred in 19 patients (23%), while G3 nausea/vomiting and G3 diarrhea were observed in 13 (15%) and 6 (7%) patients, respectively. No severe hepatic, renal or pulmonary toxicity was detected. Seven patients (7%) experienced G4 mucositis, while no other G4 toxicities or unexpected adverse events of any grade were recorded. Transplant-related mortality was 2.4%. We conclude that a FEAM regimen is feasible and safe. Although toxicity and engraftment times compared favorably with BEAM, longer follow-up is needed to evaluate fully its efficacy and long-term safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of palonosetron combined with dexamethasone in prevention of chemotherapy (CT)-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving high-dose (HD)-CT with auto-SCT, and the efficacy of a second dose of palonosetron in treating breakthrough emesis. One hundred thirty-four patients treated with HD-CT and auto-SCT for hematologic malignancies received palonosetron as prophylaxis for CINV on the first day of conditioning; patients were also administered dexamethasone throughout the entire period of conditioning. If breakthrough emesis occurred, a second dose of palonosetron was administered at 72 h after the first administration. Complete response and complete protection were observed in 36 and 26% of patients, respectively. One-half of the patients, re-treated with palonosetron for breakthrough emesis, were successfully rescued. Treatment with palonosetron plus dexamethasone seems to be encouraging in terms of prophylaxis of CINV and treatment of breakthrough emesis in the setting of HD-CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of palonosetron combined with dexamethasone in prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving multiple-day chemotherapy and the efficacy of a second dose of palonosetron in treating breakthrough emesis.Materials and Methods: Forty-six patients treated with multiple-day chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies received palonosetron as prophylaxis for CINV on the first day of chemotherapy and dexamethasone throughout the entire period of chemotherapy. If breakthrough emesis occurred, a second dose of palonosetron was administered after 72 h following the first administration. The results were retrospectively compared to group of patients with similar clinical characteristics undergoing similar multiple-day chemotherapy. This group had received single-dose ondansetron as CINV prophylaxis on the first day of chemotherapy plus dexamethasone throughout the entire period of chemotherapy and metoclopramide for breakthrough emesis.Results: One hundred eighty and 173 chemotherapy cycles were administered in the palonosetron and ondansetron groups, respectively. Nausea and vomiting were absent in 80% of patients of the palonosetron group and 60% of the control group (p < 0.05). In the palonosetron group, 67% of patients who experienced CINV were successfully rescued by a second dose of palonosetron, while in the ondansetron group, only 22% showed a no CINV after metoclopramide treatment (p = 0.04).Conclusions: The present results appear to be encouraging in terms of complete prophylaxis of CINV and treatment of breakthrough emesis in the setting of multiple-day chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unusual Ti–Cr–Zr-rich garnet crystals from high-temperature melilitic skarn of the Maronia area, western Thrace, Greece, were investigated by electron-microprobe analysis, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Chemical data showed that the garnets contain up to 8 wt.% TiO2, 8 wt.% Cr2O3 and 4 wt.% ZrO2, representing a solid solution of andradite (Ca3Fe3+ 2Si3O12 ≈46 mol%), uvarovite (Ca3Cr2Si3O12 ≈23 mol%), grossular (Ca3Al2Si3O12 ≈10 mol%), schorlomite (Ca3Ti2[Si,(Fe3+,Al3+)2]O12 ≈15 mol%), and kimzeyite (Ca3Zr2[Si,Al2]3O12 ≈6 mol%). The Mössbauer analysis showed that the total Fe is ferric, preferentially located at the octahedral site and to a smaller extent at the tetrahedral site. Single-crystal XRD analysis, Raman and IR spectroscopy verified substitution of Si mainly by Al3+, Fe3+ and Ti4+. Cr3+ and Zr4+ are found at the octahedral site along with Fe3+, Al3+ and Ti4+. The measured H2O content is 0.20 wt.%. The analytical data suggest that the structural formula of the Maronia garnet can be given as: (Ca2.99Mg0.03)Σ=3.02(Fe3+ 0.67Cr0.54Al0.33Ti0.29Zr0.15)Σ=1.98(Si2.42Ti0.24Fe0.18Al0.14)Σ=2.98O12OH0.11. Ti-rich garnets are not common and their crystal chemistry is still under investigation. The present work presents new evidence that will enable the elucidation of the structural chemistry of Ti- and Cr-rich garnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeEye alignment is a serious concern when performing corneal surface ablation. Although several excimer lasers monitor horizontal and vertical movements, little is known about the potential impact of cyclotorsional movements. Dynamic cyclotorsions have been measured on 10 emmetropic subjects during a simulated PRK treatment.MethodsCyclotorsional eye movements were measured using a 3D videoculographic system (SMI) in 10 emmetropic subjects in upright and supine position. The subjects were wearing an eyelid speculum and were asked to fixate on a 1° red spot. The fixation target was either in focus or optically degraded by electronic filters. Data were collected at the University Eye Clinic, Torino, Italy, and the different setting measurements were compared using Student's t-test for paired data.ResultsCyclotorsions were significantly higher when subjects were fixating an optically degraded stimulus (upright: P=0.04; supine: P=0.0002). The cyclotorsional movements ranged from −13 to 17°. A significant difference in eye orientation was present when changing from the upright to the supine position (P=0.03). Even when correcting for this positional error, significantly higher cyclotorsional movements were detected in the supine position (in focus: P=0.0043; optically degraded: P=0.0008). The torsional range was from −14.85 to 14.55°.ConclusionsThe high range of cyclotorsional eye movements during a simulated PRK procedure suggests that 3D tracking could improve surface ablation results when treating high astigmatism or when wavefront guided.Eye (2006) 20, 764–768. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701994; published online 1 July 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The splitting behaviour of the $2p~{}^{2}$ P3/2 hyperfine structure levels is investigated in 6Li for homogeneous crossed electric and magnetic fields (Stark-Zeeman effect). This is done by diagonalizing the perturbation matrix comprising the hyperfine interaction, the electronic and nuclear magnetic interaction and the effective electric interaction obtained by transforming the quadratic Stark effect to a first order perturbation interaction. Symmetries are used to find analytic formulae for level shifts and crossing points if only one external field is present. A reflection symmetry unbroken with all three interactions present permits the decomposition of the 12 ×12 matrix into two 6 ×6 submatrices. The structure of energy eigenvalue surfaces epsilonF,M F(B,E) of the two subsystems is found by numeric diagonalization of the perturbation matrix and is displayed in the ranges |B|< 1 mT $,\ |E|< 300$ kV/cm. The total angular momentum F = J + I (J = 3/2, electronic angular momentum, I = 1, nuclear spin) and the magnetic quantum number MF provide labels for all surfaces. All crossing points of the energy surfaces have been found. Adiabatic level transfer occurring in atoms traversing a sequence of crossed magnetic and electric fields is explained. Berry phases occur for cycles around some crossing points. Their presence or absence is explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary:A total of 30 multiple myeloma patients (M=23, F=7; age 31-55 years, median 48) were allografted with peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) from HLA-identical siblings. Time to transplantation was 3-107 months (median 8). Prior chemotherapy lines varied from 1 to 6 (median 1). Four patients were in complete remission (CR), 11 in partial remission (PR), 13 were considered to be nonresponders, and two had progressive disease. Most were conditioned with busulfan-melphalan. PBSC were collected by apheresis after G-CSF or sequential GM-CSF and G-CSF. The patients were grafted with 4.4-24.1 x 106/kg CD34+ (median 7.9) and 0.9-7.9 x 108/kg CD3+ cells (median 2.3). GVHD prophylaxis was methotrexate-cyclosporine. Engraftment was complete and rapid. Grades II-IV acute GVHD (aGVHD) developed in 16 (53%), but was grade III-IV only in five (17%); chronic GVHD (cGVHD) developed in 17 out of the 24 evaluable patients (71%). A total of 18 patients (71%) attained CR after transplantation. TRM was 30% overall, 16% at 100 days. There was only one relapse. Overall survival and event-free survival at 73 months were 60% and 67%, respectively. PCR negativity for IgH-gene rearrangement occurred in all persistently CR patients studied. PBSC allograft can induce long remissions, because of profound suppression of the neoplastic clone that is probably linked to the antitumor effect of cGVHD.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2003) 31, 767-773. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1703924 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vascular atherosclerotic disease and in diabetes mellitus few studies have evaluated the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adhesion molecule pattern. In this study we examined the PMN integrin expression at baseline and after activation in controls and type 2 diabetic subjects with macrovascular complications (MVC). We enrolled 21 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and macrovascular complications, localized in peripheral, coronary and cerebral sites. The patients had peripheral occlusive arterial disease, chronic cerebrovascular disease or coronary heart disease. We evaluated the expression of some PMN integrins (CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD18), using flow cytofluorimetry, at baseline and after in vitro activation with 4-phorbol-12-myristate-13 acetate. Type 2 diabetic subjects with MVC showed, compared to normals, an increase of CD11a and CD18 and a decrease of CD11b and CD11c. After activation, in PMNs of normal subjects, we found an increase in the expression of all adhesion molecules, while in PMNS of type 2 diabetic subjects with MVC we observed an increase of CD11b and CD11c and a decrease of CD11a. In type 2 diabetic patients with MVC the basal upregulation of CD11a and CD18 may be related to the PMN spontaneous activation, while the behavior of CD11b may depend on its selfconsumption. After activation the CD11a modification may be due to its cleavage or to an altered integrin phosphorylation/dephosphorylation balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The splitting and intensity behaviour of the hyperfine components of the sodium D-line due to the influence of simultaneously acting electric and magnetic fields, having arbitrary directions relative to each other, was studied both theoretically by means of numerical calculations of the expected spectra and experimentally by means of laser-atomic-beam spectroscopy. The results are in full agreement, showing how the hyperfine states and therefore the line components involved in the D-line accomplish the passage from parallel to perpendicular fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical calculations of the splitting of the hyperfine states M of an atom influenced by crossed electric and magnetic fields were performed. These calculations show that, adiabatically changing the presence and the strength of the fields according to a well defined cycle, atoms populated in a given hyperfine level F before the start of the field cycle may be found in another level F after experiencing the field cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of perpendicularly crossed electric and magnetic fields of comparable strength on the hyperfine components of the sodium D-line was studied by means of laser-atomic-beam spectroscopy. The observed spectra show changes in the polarization type (σ, π) when one of the fields becomes dominant relative to the other. Theoretical calculations confirm the experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The splitting of the hyperfine structure of the D line of the sodium atom was investigated under the influence of simultaneously acting parallel magnetic and electric fields of comparable strength. The experimental spectra were taken by laser-atomic-beam spectroscopy. Theoretical spectra obtained by quantum mechanical calculations agree very well with the experimentally observed spectra, therefore allowing their clear interpretation, especially at anticrossing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to interpret experimental hyperfine spectra of the resonance lines of the alkali atoms in presence of external electric and magnetic fields in arbitrary direction relative to each other a computer programme has been developed which computes the splitting of hyperfine components of spectral lines and their expected relative transition probabilities. The computed data can be directly compared with experimental spectra taken by laser-atomic-beam spectroscopy. Splitting parameters, like hyperfine structure constants or polarizabilities, can be evaluated with the help of a fitting procedure. The theoretical approach used in the programme has rather general validity, therefore the programme can be utilized, within the validity of the applied theoretical assumptions, for any kind of atom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using high resolution laser-atomic-beam spectroscopy, Zeeman- and Paschen-Back-effects of the hyperfine structure of the sodium resonance lines were studied in magnetic fields up to 280 Gauss without perturbation by cross-over resonances. The observed behaviour of the components of the D-line is compared with results of theoretical calculations for the splitting and the relative intensity of each Zeeman-component of the line. Full agreement between theory and experiment can be stated. Additionally, the relative intensities of the components of the D-line are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental and theoretical investigations of the splitting of the hyperfine structure of the sodium and lithium-D-lines in magnetic fields between 0 and 1 T were performed. In this magnetic field region the fine structure levels J=1/2 and J=3/2 of the excited term P begin to influence each other. In case of lithium crossings and anticrossings of hyperfine states stemming from different fine structure energy levels J=1/2 and J=3/2 can be observed. The measurements were performed by laseratomic-beam spectroscopy in dependence on the applied external magnetic field strength. The experimental spectra were compared with computed spectra. Spectra were simulated by calculations using for the hyperfine hamiltonian two hyperfine constants A and B in case of sodium and four hyperfine constants a, a, a and b in case of lithium. Values for this constants could be derived by fitting the theoretical splittings to the experimental ones. For the first time the g - factor of sodium could be determined in a purely optical way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser-atomic-beam investigations of the lithium D - and D -line in magnetic fields were performed using cw-laser excitation and fluorescence detection. For both isotopesLi andLi, the hyperfine splittings of the ground level 2 S and the upper level of the D -line, 2 P , as well as the isotopic shifts of the D - and the D -line were determined from the registrations without field. In magnetic fields, Zeeman- and Paschen-Back-effects of the lines were studied. Using the Zeeman pattern of the D -line for a calibration of the field strength, values for the hyperfine constants A and B of the 2 P -level ofLi could be derived from the Zeeman pattern of the D -line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the results of PBSC mobilization and immune selection in 17 patients with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) enrolled in a multicenter Italian study of autologous transplantation with peripheral CD34+ selected cells. Mobilization was achieved by cyclophosphamide (CY) 4 g/m2 + G-CSF 5μg/kg. CD34+ cells were positively selected by means of avidin-biotin immunoaffinity columns (Ceprate SC) or immunomagnetic beads (Isolex 300i) systems. Evaluation of minimal residual disease was performed by PCR analysis of the IgH gene rearrangment on the apheresis product before and after selection. Our results showed that after CY a median of 3.6 × 106/kg (0.5–12.8) CD34+ cells were collected with a median of two aphereses in 14 out of 17 patients; three failed to mobilize a number of CD34+ cells adequate for subsequent manipulation. We found that in CR patients CD34+ cell yield per apheresis was significantly higher than in PR patients (P < 0.05). sixteen selection procedures were performed in 13 patients. cd34+ cell recovery was 33.5% (10–85) with a median final yield of 1 × 106/kg CD34+. Two patients underwent marrow collection due to the low number of CD34+ cells recovered. Final purity was 59% (range 22–94) and CD5/20+ cell depletion was 2.7 log (1.6–4.4). Our data showed a statistically higher CD34+ cell recovery and purity with the Isolex device compared to Ceprate (P < 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). all the evaluable samples remained pcr positive after selection. the main issues to be addressed in the future are the identification of patients who fail mobilization and the improvement of purging methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study regarding the increase of T cells in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). A cGVHD still remains as the main factor of long-term outcome and quality of life, among the late effects of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Characterized by symptoms similar to those of autoimmune disease, it surfaces between 3 months to 1.5 years after an allogeneic transplantation.

Summary:Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is characterized by a selective marrow aplasia of the erythroid compartment. Immunosuppressive therapy achieves good results in about 25% of cases, but relapses are frequent. Autologous or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may be valuable in selected patients. Here, we report details of a 29-year-old woman treated successfully by donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) following allogeneic HSCT for acquired refractory relapsed PRCA. The nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide 60?mg/kg/day for 2 days and fludarabine 30?mg/m2 daily for 4 days. Haematopoiesis was still completely ‘recipient’ 1 month after allo-HSCT, but progressed to full donor engraftment after three doses of ‘escalating’ DLI. The possible role of a graft-versus-autoimmunity effect induced by allogeneic HSCT followed by DLI infusions in the treatment of the disease is discussed.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2004) 33, 769-771. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1704419 Published online 2 February 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which are thought to result from an inappropriate immunologic (autoimmune) response to luminal antibodies. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) performed for coincidental diseases is able to cure both leukaemia and Crohn’s disease. Autologous SCT is currently performed worldwide for severe autoimmune diseases (SADs) because of its reduced transplant-related mortality (TRM). We report the case of a 30-year-old male patient with a 10-year history of severe Crohn’s disease, who developed Hodgkin’s disease and received an unmanipulated peripheral blood autologous transplant. Three years after the transplant the patient is in complete treatment-free remission of both diseases. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 921–923. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first-line treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP-HUS syndrome) induces a response and survival rate of approximately 85%, even if a considerable number of patients relapse; nevertheless, a number of these patients are resistant to conventional management. Immunoablation followed by stem cell transplantation has been shown to be capable of inducing remissions in a large spectrum of experimental autoimmune disorders. We report here the case of a 20-year-old male patient with the TTP-HUS syndrome who was resistant to conventional treatment and was transplanted with autologous immunoselected CD34+ PBPC after conditioning with cyclosphosphamide, anti-T lymphocyte globulin and prednisone. Seven months after transplant the patient is alive and well, without any further treatment being given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]