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The NCCN Guidelines for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) provide recommendations for the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of patients with MDS based on a review of clinical evidence that has led to important advances in treatment or has yielded new information on biologic factors that may have prognostic significance in MDS. The multidisciplinary panel of MDS experts meets on an annual basis to update the recommendations. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on some of the updates for the 2022 version of the NCCN Guidelines, which include treatment recommendations both for lower-risk and higher-risk MDS, emerging therapies, supportive care recommendations, and genetic familial high-risk assessment for hereditary myeloid malignancy predisposition syndromes.

Allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) is a well-established curative modality for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), yet large amounts of data describing alloHCT outcomes in Philadelphia (Ph)-like ALL are lacking. We retrospectively analyzed archived DNA samples from consecutive adults with B-cell Ph-negative ALL who underwent alloHCT in complete remission (CR) (n = 127) at our center between 2006 and 2020. Identification of fusions associated with Ph-like ALL was performed using cumulative results from RNA-seq, conventional cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and whole genome array studies. Fusions associated with Ph-like ALL were detected in 56 (44%) patients, of whom 38 were carrying CRLF2r. Compared with other non–Ph-like ALL (n = 71), patients with fusions associated with Ph-like ALL were more frequently Hispanic (P = .008), were less likely to carry high-risk cytogenetics (P < .001), and were more likely to receive blinatumomab prior to HCT (P = .019). With the median followup of 3.5 years, patients with Ph-like ALL fusions had comparable posttransplant outcomes compared with other B-cell ALL: 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) (41% vs 44%; P = .36), overall survival (OS) (51% vs 50%; P = .59), and relapse (37% vs 31%; P = .47). In multivariable analysis, age (P = .023), disease status at the time of transplant (P < .001), and donor type (P = .015) influenced OS. RFS (primary endpoint) was significantly influenced by disease status (P < .001) and conditioning regimen intensity (P = .014). In conclusion, our data suggest that alloHCT consolidation results in similarly favorable survival outcomes in adult patients with Ph-like fusions and other high-risk B-cell ALL.

“Surgical smoke” is an airborne by-product of electrosurgery comprised of vapour and suspended particles. Although concerns exist that exposure may be harmful, there is a poor understanding of the smoke in terms of particle size, morphology, composition and biological viability. Notably, it is not known how the biological tissue source and cutting method influence the smoke. The objective of this study was to develop a collection method for airborne by-product from surgical cutting. This would enable comprehensive analyses of the particulate burden, composition and biological viability. The method was applied to compare the electrosurgical smoke generated (in the absence of any evacuation mechanism) with the aerosolized/airborne by-products generated by ultrasonic and high-speed cutting, from bone and liver tissue cutting. We report a wide range of particle sizes (0.93–806.31 μm for bone, 0.05–1040.43 μm for liver) with 50% of the particles being

A passive mm-wave people screening imager is discussed. Frames extracted from video sequences are presented showing good detection of threat objects. Active imaging based on an FMCW concept is discussed and some initial images presented.

The ability of millimetre-waves (mm-wave) to penetrate obscurants, be they clothing, fog etc., enables unique imaging applications in areas such as security screening of personnel and landing aids for aircraft. When used in an outdoor application, the natural thermal contrast provided by cold sky reflections off of objects allow for direct imaging of a scene. Imaging at mm-wave frequencies in an indoor situation requires that a thermal contrast be generated in order to illuminate and detect objects of interest. In the case of a portal screening application the illumination needs to be provided over the imaged area in a uniform, omni-directional manner and at a sufficient level of contrast to achieve the desired signal to noise ratio at the sensor. The primary options are to generate this contrast by using active noise sources or to develop a passive thermally induced source of mm-wave energy. This paper describes the approaches taken to developing and implementing an indoor imaging configuration for a mm-wave camera that is to be used in people screening applications. The camera uses a patented mechanical scanning method to directly generate a raster frame image of portal dimensions. Imaging has been conducted at a range of frequencies with the main focus being on 94GHz operation. Experiences with both active and passive illumination schemes are described with conclusions on the merits or otherwise of each. The results of imaging trials demonstrate the potential for using mm-wave imaging in an indoor situation and example images illustrate the capability of the camera and the illumination methods when used for personnel screening.

The use of millimetre-wave imaging to identify threat objects such as guns and bomb material concealed on the person is well documented. However, the technology has been hindered by the performance and cost barriers typically associated with imaging at mm-wave frequencies. A novel scanning technique that minimises the receiver count while operating at very high efficiency levels has made it possible to build a cost-effective and high-performance mm-wave imager that can make security screening a commercial reality. The imager design allows for either passive or active operation and its compact form factor is suitable for practical installation in security channel situations. The uses of this technology include portal screening of personnel for high-resolution imaging of concealed threat objects or longer distance surveillance type monitoring of checkpoints and crowds. This presentation details the use of the imager in an active configuration to observe a checkpoint or crowd scene at stand-off distances of up to 50 metres. Target objects to be detected are the hidden metal components associated with suicide bomb constructions. A typical bomb consists of several explosive filled pipes strapped to the body or clusterings of small metallic objects embedded in explosives. Trials at 94GHz have yielded positive results by showing the presence of concealed metallic objects on people at distances of 25 metres. Objects detected have included simulated bomb constructions such as groups of metal pipes and clusters of nuts and bolts. These tests have been conducted using a Gunn based CW source and direct detect receiver unit. Further enhancement of the system includes the use of an FMCW front-end configuration.