Haematopoietic SCT in severe autoimmune diseases: updated guidelines of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

In 1997, the first consensus guidelines for haematopoietic SCT (HSCT) in autoimmune diseases (ADs) were published, while an international coordinated clinical programme was launched. These guidelines provided broad principles for the field over the following decade and were accompanied by comprehensive data collection in the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) AD Registry. Subsequently, retrospective analyses and prospective phase I/II studies generated evidence to support the feasibility, safety and efficacy of HSCT in several types of severe, treatment-resistant ADs, which became the basis for larger-scale phase II and III studies. In parallel, there has also been an era of immense progress in biological therapy in ADs. The aim of this document is to provide revised and updated guidelines for both the current application and future development of HSCT in ADs in relation to the benefits, risks and health economic considerations of other modern treatments. Patient safety considerations are central to guidance on patient selection and HSCT procedural aspects within appropriately experienced and Joint Accreditation Committee of International Society for Cellular Therapy and EBMT accredited centres. A need for prospective interventional and non-interventional studies, where feasible, along with systematic data reporting, in accordance with EBMT policies and procedures, is emphasized

Mass transfer of non-polar heavy hydrocarbons in aqueous phase

International audienceLow aqueous solubilities are data of great importance in both industrial and environmental fields. As for the low aqueous solubility, we present the experimental apparatus along with the optimizations and adjustments (mechanical and analytical) applied to measure the solubility of heavy polyaromtics (solubility down to 10-9 in molal). The validation of our apparatus was achieved by measuring the aqueous solubility of the Fluoranthene in a range between 298.15 and 338.15 K. The quantification was done using GC-MS SIM with internal calibration method with benzo(a)pyrene as internal standard. Solubility of dibenz(a,c)anthracene was then explored between 298 and 333 K with an extremely low solubility of 10-12 in molar fraction

Multifactorial Optic Neuropathy - When it isn't always glaucoma

We present a case of a rare HLA-B27 associated optic neuropathy masquerading as glaucomatous progression

Sweep My Blindness Away

Optic neuropathy secondary to Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) can result in severe vision loss