Recent modeling for the ITER ion cyclotron range of frequency antennas with the TOPICA code

This paper documents the analysis of the ITER ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRF) launcher using the TOPICA code, throughout recent years' design activities. The ability to simulate the detailed geometry of an ICRF antenna in front of a realistic plasma and to obtain the antenna input parameters, the electric currents on conductors and the radiated field distribution next to the antenna is of significant importance to evaluate and predict the overall system performances. Starting from a reference geometry, we first investigated the impact of some geometrical and numerical factors, such as the Faraday Screen geometry or the mesh quality. Then a final geometry was the object of a comprehensive analysis, varying the working frequency, the plasma conditions and the poloidal and toroidal phasings between the feeding lines. The performance of the antenna has been documented in terms of input parameters, power coupled to plasma and electric fields. Eventually, the four-port junction has also been included in TOPICA models

DEMO ion cyclotron heating: Status of ITER-type antenna design

The ITER ICRF system will gain in complexity relative to the existing systems on modern devices, and the same will hold true for DEMO. The accumulated experience can help greatly in designing an ICRF system for DEMO. In this paper the current status of the pre-conceptual design of the DEMO ICRF antenna and some related components is presented. While many aspects strongly resemble the ITER system, in some design solutions we had to take an alternative route to be able to adapt to DEMO specific. One of the key points is the toroidal antenna extent needed for the requested ICRF heating performance, achieved by splitting the antenna in halves, with appropriate installation. Modelling of the so far largest ICRF antenna in RAPLICASOL and associated challenges are presented. Calculation are benchmarked with TOPICA. Results of the analysis of the latest model and an outlook for future steps are given.Comment: Published in Fusion Engineering and Design 165 (2021) 11226

Value of flow cytometry for MRD-based relapse prediction in B-cell precursor ALL in a multicenter setting

PCR of TCR/Ig gene rearrangements is considered the method of choice for minimal residual disease (MRD) quantification in BCP-ALL, but flow cytometry analysis of leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (FCM-MRD) is faster and biologically more informative. FCM-MRD performed in 18 laboratories across seven countries was used for risk stratification of 1487 patients with BCP-ALL enrolled in the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol. When no informative FCM-marker was available, risk stratification was based on real-time quantitative PCR. An informative FCM-marker was found in 96.2% and only two patients (0.14%) had non-informative FCM and non-informative PCR-markers. The overall 5-year event-free survival was 86.1% with a cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR5y) of 9.5%. FCM-MRD levels on days 15 (HzR 4.0, p 10(-4) associated with a CIR5y = 22.1%. In conclusion, FCM-MRD performed in a multicenter setting is a clinically useful method for MRD-based treatment stratification in BCP-ALL.Peer reviewe

CD27 distinguishes two phases in bone marrow infiltration of splenic marginal zone lymphoma

Aims: To investigate CD27 expression in splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), an indolent low-grade B-cell lymphoma with constant involvement of the bone marrow, especially with an intrasinusoidal pattern. It is not clear if the neoplastic clone is composed of virgin or somatically mutated B cells. CD27 is reported to be a hallmark of memory B cells. Methods and results: We evaluated 64 bone marrow biopsy specimens (BMBs) from 36 patients with SMZL for the expression of CD27. For comparison, splenectomy specimens of patients with traumatic splenic rupture or with SMZL were used. All BMBs showed lymphomatous infiltration. When located in the marrow sinusoids, neoplastic cells were CD27- in all cases and therefore corresponded to naive B cells. In nodular/interstitial infiltration, the cells were CD27+ and therefore corresponded to memory B cells. No difference in immunohistochemical expression of B and T antibodies was found between intrasinusoidal and interstitial/nodular infiltration. CD27 was constantly expressed in the splenic marginal zone of normal spleen, surgically removed for trauma, and in seven out of 10 spleens with SMZL. Conclusion: We propose the existence of two different phases of neoplastic progression with, first, expansion of a virgin B clone in the bone marrow and, following exposure to antigen, a re-colonization of the bone marrow

Optimized cytogenetic risk-group stratification of <em>KMT2A</em>-rearranged pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

\ua9 2024 by The American Society of Hematology.A comprehensive international consensus on the cytogenetic risk-group stratification of KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is lacking. This retrospective (2005-2016) International Berlin-Frankfurt-M\ufcnster Study Group study on 1256 children with KMT2A-r AML aims to validate the prognostic value of established recurring KMT2A fusions and additional cytogenetic aberrations (ACAs) and to define additional, recurring KMT2A fusions and ACAs, evaluating their prognostic relevance. Compared with our previous study, 3 additional, recurring KMT2A-r groups were defined: Xq24/KMT2A::SEPT6, 1p32/KMT2A::EPS15, and 17q12/t(11;17)(q23;q12). Across 13 KMT2A-r groups, 5-year event-free survival probabilities varied significantly (21.8%-76.2%; P &lt; .01). ACAs occurred in 46.8% of 1200 patients with complete karyotypes, correlating with inferior overall survival (56.8% vs 67.9%; P &lt; .01). Multivariable analyses confirmed independent associations of 4q21/KMT2A::AFF1, 6q27/KMT2A::AFDN, 10p12/KMT2A::MLLT10, 10p11.2/KMT2A::ABI1, and 19p13.3/KMT2A::MLLT1 with adverse outcomes, but not those of 1q21/KMT2A::MLLT11 and trisomy 19 with favorable and adverse outcomes, respectively. Newly identified ACAs with independent adverse prognoses were monosomy 10, trisomies 1, 6, 16, and X, add(12p), and del(9q). Among patients with 9p22/KMT2A::MLLT3, the independent association of French-American-British-type M5 with favorable outcomes was confirmed, and those of trisomy 6 and measurable residual disease at end of induction with adverse outcomes were identified. We provide evidence to incorporate 5 adverse-risk KMT2A fusions into the cytogenetic risk-group stratification of KMT2A-r pediatric AML, to revise the favorable-risk classification of 1q21/KMT2A::MLLT11 to intermediate risk, and to refine the risk-stratification of 9p22/KMT2A::MLLT3 AML. Future studies should validate the associations between the newly identified ACAs and outcomes and unravel the underlying biological pathogenesis of KMT2A fusions and ACAs

Recent progress on improving ICRF coupling and reducing RF-specific impurities in ASDEX Upgrade

The recent scientific research on ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) has greatly advanced solutions to two issues of Radio Frequency (RF) heating in the Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies (ICRF): (a) the coupling of ICRF power to the plasma is significantly improved by density tailoring with local gas puffing; (b) the release of RF-specific impurities is significantly reduced by minimizing the RF near field with 3-strap antennas. This paper summarizes the applied methods and reviews the associated achievements