Academic literature on the topic 'G 60 UL 2007 L311'

Polymer nanocomposites are a recent class of materials that have drawn considerable attention in recent years, due to the significant improvements in several properties. Even though a lot of research has been performed on the preparation of these materials, the homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles in polymeric matrices, especially in non-polar, is still a difficult task. Thus, frequently nanocomposites exhibited worst properties than conventional polymers that limit their effective application. One way to improve nanoparticles dispersion is by using an in situ sol-gel method, which is based on a reaction between a precursor, containing the inorganic particle, and a polymer followed by hydrolysis-condensation reaction. Therefore, the present work aims to use microscopy techniques to investigate the dispersion of nanoparticles containing aluminium in PP and EVA matrices, prepared by a sol-gel process in the melt.Polypropylene modified with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA, Polybond 3200) supplied by Crompton and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) with 12 wt.% (EVA12, Escorene Ultra UL 00112) and 27 wt.% (EVA27, Escorene Ultra UL 00328) of vinyl acetate supplied by Exxon Mobil, were used as organic matrices to prepared the nanocomposites. The precursor, aluminium isopropoxide (Al(Pr-i-O)3), used as received in powder state, was supplied by Sigma Aldrich. Nanocomposites with the same composition were prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer under constant processing conditions, as previously describe by Oliveira. The hybrid nanocomposite (HN) synthesized with PP-g-MA was called HN-Pr, with EVA12 was HNEVA12 and the one synthesized with EVA27 was HNEVA27.Samples characterized by SEM were fractured at low temperature and gold coated. Samples analysed by TEM were sectioned by cryo-ultramicrotomy using a diamond knife at -60 ºC and -140 ºC under liquid nitrogen for EVAs and PP-g-MA nanocomposites, respectively. X-ray microanalysis mapping was performed in 300 μm2, in the same place where SEM analysis was made, with an energy dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS) from Link eXL II from Oxford Instruments attached to the SEM.SEM micrographs presented in Figure 1a, b and c show that while HN-Pr has a homogeneous and rough surface, HNEVA12 and HNEVA27 have homogeneous and smoother surfaces. The presence of nanoparticles agglomerations can not be observed in the micrographs, which indicates a good dispersion and interaction between organic and inorganic components. Therefore, in order to investigate nanoparticles dispersion TEM analysis were performed and the results presented in Figure 2 evidence different degrees of nanoparticles dispersion in polymeric matrices and distinct sizes. The best dispersion was achieved in HN-Pr followed by HNEVA27. The average particle size is 200, 130 and 120 nm for HN-Pr, HNEVA12 and HNEVA27, respectively. The differences in particles dimension can be explained by the extension of the chemical reaction, which in agreement with other techniques, it was higher for EVA27. EDS analysis results presented in Figure 3 render 2.84, 5.07 and 3.49 % of aluminium content in the analysed area of HN-Pr, HNEVA12 and HNEVA27, respectively.In this study, it was observed that reaction extension has a great influence on size and dispersion of the generated nanoparticles. According to SEM and TEM results, the smallest nanoparticles were achieved in EVA27. Moreover, for the three nanocomposites prepared well dispersed nanoparticles were obtained. The EDS spectrum confirmed the presence of aluminium in nanocomposites structure.This work showed that microscopic technics are very powerful on the characterization of new polymer matrix nanocomposites.The authors are grateful to the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology (FCT) Project SFRH / BD / 39085 / 2007 for the financial support.

Abstract Abstract 2839 Patients affected by low-risk essenthial thrombocythosis (ET) may develope thrombotic/haemorragic events at a lower rate compared to high-risk ET patients. So far, it has not be possible to identify useful markers to predict which of these patients are more likely to have an event. Previous authors [Carobbio A et al, Blood 2007] have shown that leukocytosis at diagnosis is associated with a high hazard risk (HR) of developing a thrombotic event, while high platelets count is not. Subsequently other authors [Gangant N et al, Cancer 2009] have contradicted this findings and instead shown that in low-risk ET, the increase in leukocyte count over time correlates with thrombotic events [Passamonti F et al ISTH 2009]. For these reasons we decided to evaluate risk parameters in a dynamic manner with the aim of identifying those patients who are more likely to have an event and might benefit from preventive treatment. We performed a large multicentre retrospective study that included several North Italian Haemathology centres and a large Austrian university hospital. Patient data was analysed using random effect linear regression model and a dedicated Cox model with dynamic proportional risk. We studied 136 patients with low risk ET. Out of those, 45 had a thrombotic/haemorragic event and 91 never had an event (events included: stroke, TIA, IMA, PE, PAD, epystaxis and gastrointestinal bleeding). Overall, the median age was 42 years (IQR 20; range 18–60), the median Hb was 14.0 g/dL (IQR 2.3; range 4.4–18), the median WBC was 8.1 ×103/Â μL (IQR 3.3; range 3.3–23.8), the median PLT was 701 ×103/ÂL (IQR 404; range 206–1806). Gender was M 33% (n=45), F 67% (n=91); smokers were 24% (n=18/N=74); hypercholesterolemia was 18% (n=17/N=92). The FBCs of both groups were recorded from the date of diagnosis (entry time) and up to 3 years of follow up or to the development of a thrombotic/haemorragic event (exit time). A total number of 1294 FBCs were provided by the group with event and compared to a total of 4487 FBCs from the group without event. The follow-up Hb values showed a decreasing linear pattern linear from baseline values. The PLT-count showed a trend similar to Hb over the period of follow-up in both the group without events and in the group with events. The WBC showed a decrease during follow-up in the group with events and an increase in the group without events. Surprisingly, the risk of developing an adverse event after 60 months of follow-up was reduced by 20% for each increase of 1 g/dL Hb (p =0.007), was increased by 8% for each WBC increase of 1 103/uL (p =0.026) and was decreased by 6% for each PLT increase of 100 × 103 /uL (p =0.434). No differences were seen between venous or arterious thrombotic events (Log rank test, p=0.842). In conclusion, this study confirms that baseline FBCs values are not predictive of events within the ET low risk group. The emerging new finding is that the risk of developing an event is higher when Hb is reduced. This strongly suggests a protective role of Hb in the low-risk ET group. Previous studies have shown that red cells might store and generate nitric oxide (NO), a key endothelial modulator [Kim-Shapiro DB et al 2006]. The presence of NO would keep PLT in resting state, would reduce endothelial cell adhesion and in turn reduce thrombosis rate. However this needs to be confirmed. Disclosures: Steurer: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Pizzolo:Hoffmann-La Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Abstract Introduction: Collection of adequate numbers of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) is a prerequisite for proceeding to autologous bone marrow transplant. However, various studies have showed that approximately 5% to 40% of patients do not meet the minimum threshold of 2×106 CD34+ cells/kg that is associated with timely engraftment and better outcomes. There is little consensus over the optimal mobilization regimen for procurement of peripheral blood CD34 + stem cells (PBSCs). Studies comparing mobilization using high-dose cyclophosphamide(HD-CY) {5-7 g/m2} or intermediate dose cyclophosphamide (ID-CY) {3-4g/m2} plus G-CSF with low dose cyclophosphamide (LD-CY) {1-2g/m2) plus G-CSF have reported higher total PBSC yield with the former but at the cost of higher toxicity [Hiwase et al, Cytotherapy 2007]. Hence the significance of our study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LD-CY plus G-CSF in the era of novel induction therapies, takes precedence in terms of optimal resource utilization. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed mobilization efficacy and need for supportive care in Myeloma and Lymphoma patients that received LD-CY (2g/m2) plus G-CSF (10µg/kg/day) as the preferred mobilization regimen. Patients treated with novel induction regimens only, with or without radiation were included. LD-CY was given on day 1 with MESNA. G-CSF was started Day +5 from LD-CY and continued until the completion of apheresis. We started to measure peripheral CD34+ (pCD34) when patient's white blood cell count recovered to >1000/µL. When the pCD34 count was ≥10/uL, apheresis was started. Results: Out of 21 patients analyzed, 14 (67%) were Myeloma, predominantly IgG subtype (71%) and 7(33%) Lymphoma predominantly Non-Hodgkins type (71%). Our study population comprised of 53% females, 81% Caucasians with median age of 59 years (30-66). 28.5% patients had radiation treatment in the past. Mean/Median lines of chemotherapy previously received were 2/1 (1-5).71% patients received Lenalidomide (57%) / Thalidomide (14%) based regimens for induction therapies. 52% patients had complete response at the time of chemo mobilization. Successful mobilization (defined as total CD34+ cells collected >2x106/kg) was significantly achieved in 95% patients with mean/ median collection of 12.4/11.5 x106 CD34+ cells/kg (20 out of 21 patients, One sample T- test with significance level, alpha =0.025 [one sided ]showed T statistic 5.36 with p-value <0.0001). First apheresis yielded at least 2 x10 6/kg CD34+ cells in 76 % patients with a mean/median of 5.8/3.8 x106/kg CD34+ cells. 66% of patients were found to be good mobilizers, defined as patients collecting ≥5 x106 CD34+ cells/kg in ≤2 days. 81% patients collected ≥5x106 CD34+ cells/kg and 57 % patients collected ≥10 x106 CD34+ cells/kg. Mean/Median Peak pCD34count was 97.7/60 cells/µL(2-488). Median number of aphereses was 2 (mean 2.6) with the mean and median time to apheresis being 11 days (9-15). None of the patients needed inpatient hospitalization or intravenous antibiotics during mobilization or had any complication related to immunosuppression. 14% and 19% of patients needed packed red blood cell and platelet transfusions respectively during the mobilization period. One Myeloma patient (4.8%) that failed mobilization had previously received five lines of chemotherapy including lenalidomide/thalidomide containing regimens and had stable disease at the time of mobilization. Interestingly, 61% of myeloma patients that successfully mobilized had received lenalidomide containing induction regimen (mean/median no. of cycles- 3.9/4[1-7]) Conclusion: Our analysis shows that LD-CY plus G-CSF is efficacious to mobilize sufficient number of stem cells (>2x106 CD34+ cells /kg) in Myeloma and Lymphoma patients treated with novel agents, including the challenging sub-group of lenalidomide treated myeloma patients, with no infectious complications or morbidity noted during the entire period of mobilization. Therefore, we believe LD-CY plus G-CSF may overcome the negative effects of prior lenalidomide exposure on PBSC mobilization [Mark et al, Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2008] and is superior in terms of optimal resource utilization compared to novel plerixafor based regimens [Chaudhary et al, J Clin Apher 2013]. Prospective studies involving CY based regimens will help elucidate the optimal dose of chemo-mobilization. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a frequent cause of morbidity and the leading cause of death among individuals with sickle cell disease. Prior studies of ACS in hemoglobin SC disease, however, have been limited in scope and the risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with ACS in individuals with hemoglobin SC versus SS disease remain unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the presentation and clinical course of ACS in individuals with SC disease to that observed in individuals with SS disease. We hypothesized that in SC disease, ACS is associated with a more severe clinical course compared to that observed in SS disease. Using available hospital medical records, we performed a retrospective analysis of all episodes of ACS diagnosed either on admission or during hospitalization in patients with SC disease over a 20-year period from 1987 through 2007. Control cases meeting identical criteria in patients with hemoglobin SS disease were randomly sampled within a 5-year period of the occurrence of each SC episode. We performed standard descriptive analysis and compared both continuous (Mann-Whitney test) and categorical data (Pearson’s χ2 analysis) in SC and SS episodes of ACS. Standard regression analysis was performed to evaluate predictors of length of hospitalization, our primary outcome for clinical severity. A total of 71 episodes of ACS in 30 SC patients and 137 episodes in 92 SS patients were reviewed. We found that in episodes involving SC patients, median age (7.0 vs. 5.0 years, p=0.014), baseline hemoglobin (10.5 vs. 8.1 g/dL, p=0.001) and oxygen saturation on presentation (97 vs. 94%, p=0.001) were significantly higher when compared to that in episodes involving SS patients. In SC cases, a history of asthma or wheezing (50.7 vs. 34.3%, p=0.022, OR=1.98) was significantly more common than in SS cases. In addition, complaints of chest pain (40.8 vs. 22.8%, p=0.007, OR=2.34) and wheezing (11.3 vs. 3.7%, p=0.033, OR=3.34) on presentation were significantly more frequent in the SC group. At the time of diagnosis of ACS in SC patients, median total white blood cells (15.3 vs. 19.6 x103 cells/uL, p=0.001), platelets (206 vs. 343 x103/uL, p=0.001), nucleated red blood cells (0 vs. 2.0 per 100 WBC, p=0.001), reticulocytes (3.0 vs. 12.7%, p=0.001) and percent lymphocytes (15.0 vs. 22.5%, p=0.002) were lower, but hemoglobin (9.3 vs. 7.4 g/dL, p=0.001) and total percent neutrophils and bands (74.5 vs. 65.0%, p=0.001) were higher than at diagnosis in the SS group. Other significant findings included less hypoxia on admission (9.2 vs. 29.3%, p=0.002, OR=0.25) as well as less oxygen use (45.1 vs. 64.2%, p=0.008, OR=0.46) and less transfusion support (31.0 vs. 72.3%, p=0.001, OR=0.17) documented during hospitalization in the SC group. Despite the more frequent history of asthma and complaint of wheezing on presentation in the SC group, neither the use of asthma medications nor the duration of oxygen support in those patients who required it differed during episodes of ACS in SC versus SS patients. The frequency of vaso-occlusive pain on admission, transfusion support during hospitalization and time to transfusion also did not differ between the 2 groups. No deaths were recorded in any hemoglobin SC patients, while 1 death occurred in the SS group. There was no significant difference in median length of hospitalization in ACS episodes involving SC versus SS patients (3.0 vs. 4.0 days, p=0.107). A model that included age, baseline hemoglobin, time to transfusion and total days of oxygen support accounted for 75% and 60% of the variation in length of hospitalization in the SC and SS groups, respectively. Age, time to transfusion and duration of oxygen support represented independent contributors in both groups. In conclusion, our data suggest for the first time that asthma and wheezing may represent significant risk factors for ACS more commonly in SC patients when compared to SS patients. Clinical severity, as determined by length of hospitalization, was similar in episodes of ACS involving patients with hemoglobin SC and SS disease. Other markers of clinical severity associated with ACS, such as transfusion and oxygen requirements, appear related to baseline differences in laboratory and clinical presentation between individuals with SC and SS disease. Future studies to definitively evaluate in SC patients the relationship between asthma and ACS, as well as its impact on management of ACS, are warranted.

Abstract Background. Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare, phenotypically heterogeneous, inherited disorder clinically characterized by congenital abnormalities, progressive bone marrow failure (BMF) and a predisposition to develop malignancies. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative option for FA patients. However, finding the best conditioning regimen is still challenging for clinicians. To reduce toxicities, we used progressively lower doses of cyclophosphamide (CY) for conditioning through non-irradiation based regimens. A reduced conditioning regimen based on CY 60mg/kg alone was proposed by Bomfim et al (BBMT, 2007). Survival rates were excellent but some patients experienced primary (n=1) or late (n=4) graft failure (11% of the patients). Mucositis was a major problem as 25 patients (60%) presented grade 3 / 4 mucositis. The rate of Chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD) was 29%. We hypothesized that tapering the dose of CY to 40mg/Kg and adding fludarabine (FLU) at 90mg/m2 might improve engraftment, decrease GvHD rates and eventually improve overall toxicity in FA patients transplanted with HLA matched siblings. Method. In 2004, the French reference centre for aplastic anemia and the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapies (SFGM-TC) recommended to use FLU 90mg/m2 (30mg/m2 days -4, -3, -2) and CY 40mg/kg (10mg/kg days -5, -4, -3, -2) for FA patients transplanted from matched family donor. Indication for transplantation was based on hematological complications (transfusions and/or infections). FA patients with morphologic signs of clonal evolution (myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia) were excluded. All patients in France who received a first Allo-HSCT for FA from a matched related donor between October 2004 and January 2013 using this approach were analyzed (n=20). Clinical data were prospectively collected using ProMISe (Project Manager Internet Server), an internet-based data registry system shared by all SFGM-TC centres. All patients received uromitexan. Ciclosporin A and micophenolate mofetil were used as GVHD prophylaxis. Six patients received an in vivo T cell depletion using antithymocyte globuline because of local policy at their centre. The guidelines were approved by Saint-Louis hospital ethical committee. Results. The median age at transplant was 9 years (range: 6-19). Stem cell source was bone marrow in 16 cases and matched related cord blood in the remaining transplants. None of the patients received peripheral blood stem cells. All patients had severe or moderate BMF (median hemoglobin: 8.9g/dl, median platelets: 31 103/ul, median neutrophils: 0.88 103/ul) at time of transplant. Two patients had chromosomal abnormalities (47,XX,i(1)(q10)[10]/48,idem,+8[3] and 47,XX,+der(1;3)(q10;q10)[14]/46,XX[6]); however, none of them developed overt myelodysplasia/leukemia before transplant. Patients belonged to complementation groups FANC-A (n=17) and FANC-G (n=2). Transplantation was performed within a median of 30 months from FA diagnosis (range: 7-143). A median of 3.8. 108 nucleated marrow cells were infused (range: 0,65-8,97). Within a median follow up of 2 years (range: 0.2-7.4), overall survival was 95% (figure 1). Only one patient with an atypical form of FA associated with severe immunodeficiency prior to transplant died subsequently due to uncontrolled cerebral toxoplasmosis. Engraftment rate was 100% with a median time to neutrophils and platelets recovery of 16.5 (11-28) and 15 (4-29) days, respectively. No grade 3/4 regimen related toxicity was observed and only 1 patient experienced mucositis (grade 2) using this conditioning regimen. Total acute GvHD grade 3 / 4 was only observed in 3 patients (15%) and chronic GvHD was extensive in 2 patients (10%) and limited in 3 patients (15%). Median alive patients karnofsky scored 100% (range 90 – 100%). No secondary malignancy was observed in our cohort so far. Conclusion. The combination of low dose CY (40mg/Kg) plus FLU (90mg/m2) in HLA-matched donor HSCT in patients with FA resulted in an excellent engraftment rate (100%) with no secondary graft failure, low rates of acute and chronic GvHD, low rates of regimen related toxicity, eventually resulting in an excellent overall survival (95% at 2 years). A longer follow-up in this cohort is needed to confirm such excellent results long-term, namely the continued absence of secondary cancer. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract Introduction: The 2008 WHO classification of myeloproliferative disorders has been revised based on new molecular definitions for specific diseases, including abnormalities of PDGFRA, PDGFRB, or FGFR1. The latter group is also known as stem cell leukemia/lymphoma syndrome or 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome. To date, about 50 cases are reported in the literature with various reciprocal gene partners for the FGFR1 locus on chromosome 8, one of the most common being the zinc-finger protein 198 (ZNF198) on chromosome 13. They typically present with myeloproliferative disorders with concurrent or subsequently diagnosed T cell lymphomas, most commonly precursor T lymphoblastic lymphomas. Within one to two years, the disease progresses to an acute myeloid leukemia and has a poor prognosis. Case report: We add a case to the literature. Symptoms and signs: A 50-year-old Nigerian male presented to our emergency room in August 2007 complaining of lumps in his groin and armpits, fevers and an unintentional 30-lb. weight loss over two months. He had a history of diabetes mellitus treated with Metformin. He had not visited Nigeria in 30 years, denied intravenous drug abuse and had no risk factors for HIV. On physical exam there was diffuse lymphadenopathy with bulky(&gt;2cm) inguinal, axillary, cervical, epitrochlear nodes and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory results included a white cell count of 20.8 K/uL with 86% neutrophils, 2% lymphocytes, 9% eosinophils, and 3% monocytes, hemoglobin of 22 g/dL, MCV of 80 fL and platelet count of 153K/mL. LDH was elevated at 391 U/L, uric acid was 6.7 mg/dl and beta-2-microglobulin 1730 ng/ml; serum erythropoietin was decreased at 2.4 mIU/ml and on repeat was &lt;1 mIU/ml. Serologies for hepatitis A, B, and C as well as HIV, EBV, and HTLV were negative. Excisional biopsy of a left axillary lymph node was diagnostic of a precursor T- lymphoblastic lymphoma Flow cytometric immunophenotyping and. immunohistochemical staining showed the blast forms to express cytoplasmic CD3 as well as CD30, CD1a, and TdT with a Ki-67 staining of 60–70% and negative for CD34, MPO, Alk-1, and EBV. Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy were consistent with a myeloproliferative disorder ( MPD) with an overall cellularity &gt;95% and no increase in blasts. Cytogenetics on the bone marrow were 46 XY, t (8; 13) (p12; q12) [18]/46, XY [2]. PCR for bcr-abl and JAK2 V617F mutation were negative on peripheral blood and bone marrow. PCR and sequencing of the FGFR1-ZNF198 gene product was performed on the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from the lymph node excisional biopsy, which confirmed the presence of the FGFR1-zinc finger fusion tyrosine kinase. This confirms the diagnosis of a stem cell leukemia/lymphoma syndrome with translocation of FGFR1. Initial treatment included phlebotomy for symptomatic hyper viscosity. A protocol of hyper fractionated Cytoxan, Vincristine, Adriamycin, and Decadron (HyperCVAD) was selected for the precursor T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Initially his lymph nodes disappeared but there was no remission of his MPD. While still on the HyperCVAD, the T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma relapsed and he was started on Nelarabine. After one cycle his WBC count exponentially increased, mostly atypical monocytes and myeloid cells. He developed pulmonary infiltrates and effusion, respiratory distress and was transferred to the ICU. FNA of pleural effusions revealed a T cell lymphoproliferative process. He eventually died of pulmonary complications associated with high white counts in late July 2008. Discussion: MPD evolving to AML and rarely pre-B ALL is well described. Progression to T ALL is uncommon. However, in this patient we have polycythemia, with leukocytosis and eosinophilia whose lymph nodes do not show extramedullary hematopoiesis but demonstrate a T cell ALL. MPD with rapid transformation or concurrent presentation of T or pre B ALL or AML malignancies is recognized in association with the 8p11–12 syndromes. While we may have therapy that is somewhat effective for T ALL, targeted therapy for the pathologic FGFR-zinc finger fusion tyrosine kinase is needed. PKC 412 or midostaurine has been shown to have activity against this fusion product in preclinical models and also in a patient with this disease. We were attempting to procure this for our patient while waiting for a bone marrow transplant to be arranged. However his condition declined rapidly before either could be arranged.

Abstract Background: Although some studies have validated the 2001 WHO classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including the importance of multilineage dysplasia, others have suggested that multilineage dysplasia correlates with unfavorable cytogenetics but has no independent impact on prognosis. In 2008, the revised WHO classification system has expanded this category into “AML with myelodysplasia-related changes” (AML-MRC) that now includes 1) AML arising from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 2) AML with MDS-related cytogenetic abnormalities, and 3) AML with multilineage dysplasia. An individual case may fall into this category by meeting any of the criteria. The goal of the current study is to clinically characterize this newly defined AML-MRC subgroup. Methods: One-hundred consecutive AML patients diagnosed at Stanford University Hospital between 2005 and 2007 with adequate material for mutation analysis were studied. Cases were classified using the 2008 WHO criteria. Diagnostic cytogenetic findings were reviewed and patients were stratified into risk groups using Southwest Oncology Group criteria. Available flow cytometry immunophenotyping results were reviewed and all samples were tested for NPM, FLT3 (ITD and D835) and CEBPA mutations. Clinical parameters including hemogram data at time of diagnosis were reviewed. Clinical follow-up including overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and complete remission (CR) rates were retrospectively determined. Kaplan-Meier methods and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used to compare the clinical data. Results: The cases included 57 males and 43 females with a median age of 56 (range 17–81). Cytogenetic risk-group stratification resulted in 9 patients with favorable, 65 with intermediate and 19 with unfavorable risk status. Using the 2008 WHO criteria, there were 48 AML-MRC, 40 AML not otherwise specified (AML-NOS), 9 AML with either t(8;21), inv(16) or t(15;17), and 3 therapy related AMLs. Overall, 26 patients had a NPM1 mutation (16 of which were FLT3 mutated), 25 had FLT3-ITD, 8 had FLT3-D835 and 9 had a CEBPA mutation (3 of which were FLT3 mutated). Compared to AML-NOS, patients with AML-MRC were significantly older (59 vs 51 years, p=0.014) and presented with lower hemoglobin (9 vs 11.2 g/dL, p=0.044), lower platelets (47 vs 54 K/uL, p=0.059), unfavorable cytogenetics (14/46 vs 3/36, p=0.014) and exhibited a decreased frequency of CEBPA mutation (0/46 vs 7/40, p=0.001) as compared to AML-NOS. Based on the flow cytometry immunophenotyping, the blasts from patients with AML-MRC more frequently expressed CD14 compared to AML-NOS (10/46 vs 4/36, p=0.048). Clinical outcome data showed that patients with AML-MRC had a significantly worse OS, PFS and CR compared to AML-NOS (Figure, all p<0.0001). Even after excluding the 14 patients with unfavorable cytogenetics from the AML-MRC group, the remaining patients with AML-MRC (defined solely by the presence of multilineage dysplasia) had worse outcomes compared to all AML-NOS patients (OS, p=0.013; PFS, p=0.012; CR, p=0.0076). Among 65 patients with intermediate risk cytogenetics, the outcome difference between the AML-MRC and AML-NOS groups remained significant (OS, p=0.0292; PFS, p=0.0232), also indicating prognostic significance of multilineage dysplasia. Within the AML-MRC group, univariate analysis showed that low platelets (<20,000/mm3), FLT3-D835 mutation and MDS-related cytogenetics correlated with OS (p=0.0456, p=0.0265, p=0.002 respectively) and PFS (p=0.0478, p=0.0626, p=0.001). A multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, performed on the entire group, identified unfavorable cytogenetic risk group, advanced age (> 60), FLT3-ITD and AML-MRC status as significant predictors of worse OS with the following respective hazard ratios: 2.82 (95% CI, 1.52–5.26), 2.11 (1.01–4.42), 1.98 (1.01–3.90), 1.92 (1.01–3.65). Conclusion: The newly defined WHO category of AML-MRC exhibits a significantly worse clinical outcome compared to AML-NOS and is predictive of worse overall survival in the multivariate analysis of AML patients, independent of age or cytogenetic risk group. These findings support the clinical, morphologic and cytogenetic criteria for this 2008 WHO AML category. Figure Figure

Au Québec, l’implication féminine dans les accidents routiers avec blessés évolue et les raisons associées à ces changements doivent être mises en lumière afin de mieux cibler les interventions gouvernementales en matière de sécurité routière. Ce mémoire présente un portrait évolutif différencié selon le sexe de l’accidentologie québécoise pour deux périodes d’étude, 1990-1992 et 2007-2009. Les données proviennent du ministère des Transports (MTQ) et de la Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). Les résultats présentent, principalement par l’évolution du nombre de titulaires de permis de conduire, une augmentation de la présence féminine sur les routes du Québec et dans le bilan routier. On dénote également une diminution globale de l’implication des conducteurs québécois dans les accidents corporels, cette diminution étant plus faible chez les femmes. L’analyse des relations entre le sexe et les caractéristiques des accidents et les modèles de régression démontrent que le sexe demeure un déterminant en accidentologie. Mots-clés : Accidents; Conducteurs; Sexe; Femmes; Implication accidentelle; Sécurité routière; Victimes
The growing presence of women on the roads of Quebec is important and needs to be explored. Women's crash involvement is changing and the reasons associated must be highlighted in order to better target government road safety interventions. This analysis is an evolving portrait differentiated according to gender of the Quebec accidentology for two periods, 1990-1992 and 2007-2009. Data used in this study come from the Ministère des transports (MTQ) and the Société d'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). The results present, mainly by the growth in the number of licence holders, an increase in the women’s presence in road safety records. Also, it reflects an overall decrease of the driver’s involvement in crash with injuries, this decrease being lower among women. Analysis of the relationship between sex and the accident characteristics and regression models demonstrate that sex remains a determinant in accidentology. Keywords : Crashes; Drivers; Sex; Women; Crash involvement; Road safety; Victims

Chaque année, des milliers de Mexicains arrivent au Canada par l’entremise du Programme des travailleurs agricoles saisonniers pour combler la pénurie de main-d’œuvre à laquelle font face les agriculteurs canadiens. Chacun de ces deux acteurs sociaux bénéficie de la participation au programme malgré la critique qui résonne continuellement. Un portrait négatif du programme est dressé localement et internationalement lorsque des supposées conditions de travail abusives frôlant l’esclavage moderne sont dénoncées. Toutefois, cette vision est incomplète; elle néglige le point de vue des agriculteurs canadiens. En pleine crise économique et face à un avenir incertain, ils sont confrontés à des défis propres à l’agriculture maraîchère. Suite aux entrevues réalisées à l’été 2006 dans trois régions du Québec, la Montérégie, Lanaudière et la Capitale-Nationale, des résultats démontrant les liens d’interdépendance entre les travailleurs et les agriculteurs sont présentés. La nature du travail de la ferme est explorée et les résultats remettent en contexte la critique existante du Programme des travailleurs agricoles saisonniers.
Every year, under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program, Mexicans arrive on Canadian soil to fill the labour shortages with which farmers are faced. As individual social actors in a complex web of interdependence, both the Canadian farmer and the Mexican worker have their reasons for taking advantage of the program in spite of the criticism that surrounds it. The critiques are fueled by an international debate portraying farmers as mistreating, neglecting, and abusing their employees while depicting Mexican workers as victims of the program. However, this depiction is incomplete; it neglects the farmers’ perspective. Amidst a revenue crisis and faced with an uncertain future, producers are confronted by challenges specific to market gardening. Following interviews conducted in the summer of 2006 in three regions of Québec, Montérégie, Lanaudière, and the Québec City area, results demonstrated that interdependence between foreign workers and local producers was present. The nature of farm work is explored and the results attempt to put the existing critiques of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker’s Programme into a new context.

Lorsque le 1er janvier 1994, l’EZLN prit d’assaut plusieurs villes du Chiapas au Mexique, les conditions socio-économiques déplorables des Chiapanèques furent dévoilées au grand jour. Depuis que le Mexique a entrepris des réformes néolibérales dans les années 1980-1990, les Chiapanèques, incapables de s’adapter à la concurrence des produits agricoles américains, croient n’avoir qu’une seule option : la migration vers les États-Unis. Une fois dans ce pays d’accueil, les migrants contribuent au maintien de leur famille en leur transférant d’importantes sommes d’argent. Toutefois, cette solution est-elle viable ? Les résultats d’entrevues réalisées dans la forêt Lacandona démontrent que les migradollars permettent aux familles d’investir dans la production agricole, en santé et en éducation, les aidant ainsi à rompre le cycle de la pauvreté. De plus, en favorisant le développement économique et humain à l’échelle locale, les migrations contribuent à contenir les luttes sociales à l’échelle régionale. Dans ce contexte, que sont devenues les revendications zapatistes ?
On January 1st, 1994, the Zapatistas seized several cities in the Mexican state of Chiapas and revealed to the world the deplorable socio-economic conditions of Chiapanecos. Since the neoliberal reforms of the 1980-1990 decades, peasants have been unable to adapt their production to competition from U.S. agricultural products. They now believe they have only one option left: migrate to the United States. Once in the host country, the migrants contribute to their family livelihood through the transfer of remittances. However, is this solution viable? The results of interviews conducted in the Lacandona forest show that remittances enable the migrant’s families to invest in agricultural production, health and education. Thus, they build up human capital that could help them break the cycle of poverty. Moreover, by fostering local economic and human development, migrations now help to contain social conflict on a regional scale. In this new context, what has become of Zapatista claims?