Evaluation of the interrelated effects of slaughtering, drying, and defatting methods on the composition and properties of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae fat

The interrelated effect of different slaughtering, drying and defatting methods of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) on the lipid composition and properties of the fat was studied. Blanching and freezing were compared as slaughtering methods, oven or freeze-drying as drying methods, and mechanical pressing or supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as defatting methods. The different modes of slaughtering, drying, and defatting, along with both binary and ternary interactions caused significant effects on processes yields, lipid composition, moisture content and thermal properties. Thus, considering the defatting degree and the yield in total valued products (defatted meal plus fat), the combination of blanching, freeze-drying plus mechanical pressing was the worst option (51.2% and 87.5%, respectively). In contrast, the other combinations demonstrated better and comparable efficiency, although SFE is preferable for defatting (83.2% and 96.9%, respectively). The content of major fatty acids (lauric, palmitic and myristic acids) was significantly affected by the BSFL treatments, although with unsignificant impact on the total saturated fatty acids content. To preserve the integrity of the fat, the combination of blanching and oven-drying was preferred, as non-thermal methods of slaughtering and drying caused intense lipolysis, releasing free fatty acids (FFA) in the range of 18.6-23.5%. To achieve the lowest moisture content in the fats (≤0.1%), oven-drying with mechanical pressing were desired, regardless of the slaughtering method; while values > 1% were reached for freezing, freeze-drying and SFE. Both differences in FFA and moisture contents caused different thermal behaviors in the samples. Specially, the melting temperature was lower for samples with higher FFA and moisture contents, with a notable difference when freezing, freeze-drying and SFE were combined (14.5 °C vs 30.6 °C, as the mean value for the rest of samples). The different modes of processing did not affect the minor lipid compounds. Therefore, the modes employed for slaughtering, drying, and defatting of BSFL determine, either individually or in combination, the process yields, composition, and properties of the fat.

The Interaction of Slaughtering, Drying, and Defatting Methods Differently Affects Oxidative Quality of the Fat from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae

The interrelation effect of slaughtering, drying, and defatting methods of BSFL on the oxidative quality of the derived fat was studied. Blanching and freezing were compared as slaughtering methods, followed by oven or freeze-drying for drying and mechanical pressing or SFE for defatting. The oxidative state and stability of the extracted fat and defatted meals were monitored immediately after their production, using peroxide value (PV) and Rancimat test, and over 24 weeks of storage. Slaughtering and drying methods had an independent effect on PV, with freezing and freeze-drying being the best methods. Mechanical pressing and SFE were comparable and superior to conventional hexane defatting. Interactions were observed between slaughtering and defatting, drying and defatting, and between all three factors. Generally, freeze-drying combined with any of the slaughtering and defatting methods resulted in the lowest PVs, with mechanical pressing being preferred. Freeze-drying plus mechanical pressing also produced the most stable fats during storage according to the evolution of PV, while the combination of blanching and SFE produced the least stable. A significant correlation was found between the PV at 24 weeks and the antioxidant activity of the fats. Contrary to storage assays, in accelerated Rancimat assays, freeze-dried samples were the least stable, which was partially attributed to the significant correlation with the acid values of the samples. Defatted meals followed a similar pattern to the extracted fat, except for worse oxidation for SFE defatting. Therefore, the different processing methods of slaughtering, drying, and defatting of BSFL differently affect lipid oxidation, with interactions between such successive steps.

Preliminary insights into the incorporation of rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) in fish feed: influence on performance and physiology of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) were fed a basal (control) diet and four experimental diets (R600, R1200, R1800 and R2400), containing 600, 1200, 1800 and 2400 mg kg(-1), respectively, of rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). At 4 and 12 weeks from the beginning of the ongrowing period, the fish were sacrificed, blood was drawn to obtain plasma and the liver and intestines were dissected. Growth and feed intake were unaffected by rosemary extract addition. A histological examination of the intestine revealed no differences among the dosages, while the liver showed a sharp decrease in hepatic steatosis in diets supplemented with rosemary extract. Furthermore, plasma alanine aminotransferase was lower with these diets at the end of the ongrowing period. Rosemary extract reduced the plasma levels of glucose and triglycerides on week 4 and glucose and HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio on week 12, suggesting better transport and energy metabolism of the lipids. Overall, the most evident effect of rosemary extract was observed with the 600 mg kg(-1) dose.

[Malignant priapism: conservative management of a case]

Priapism is an urological emergency which requires investigation, especially to differentiate between ischemic and non-ischemic priapism. Initial management is carried out through aspiration and gasometry of blood from the corpus cavernosum. We report the case of a 69-year-old patient with urothelium carcinoma of the bladder T2 G3 and metastasis in urethra/corpus cavernosum who requested an emergency consultation because of edema and a penile erection lasting several days. Due to the poor prognosis and the imaging test, a conservative management was carried out.

Diagnosis and management of immunodeficiencies in adults by allergologists

Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are genetic diseases that cause alterations in the immune response and occur with an increased rate of infection, allergy, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. They affect adults and children, and the diagnostic delay, morbidity, effect on quality of life, and socioeconomic impact are important. Therapy (gamma-globulin substitution in most cases) is highly effective. We examine adult PIDs and their clinical presentation and provide a sequential and directed framework for their diagnosis. Finally, we present a brief review of the most important adult PIDs, common variable immunodeficiency, including diagnosis, pathogenesis, clinical signs, and disease management.

[Development of a program of nutritional education and valuation of the change of healthful nourishing habits in a population of students of Obligatory Secondary Education]

INTRODUCTION

Adolescence is a critical period for the acquisition and configuration of healthy dietary habits and lifestyle for the young future, which will likely persist throughout the adulthood. Paediatric and juvenile obesity is a public health problem which control necessarily implies prevention and nutritional education.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the nutritional status of the adolescents and determine the proportion with overweight or obesity, and to establish a Nutritional Intervention Programme and analyse the improvement in the pattern of dietary habits among the adolescents.

METHODS

The study has been carried out in a population of 372 Obligatory Secondary Education (OSE) students from the Institute of Secondary Education of Gandía (Valencia).

RESULTS

37.8% of the adolescents have improved the level of their diet quality. Those consuming a high quality diet have increased from 30.0% to 58.6%. Also significant is the number of students that have taken up having breakfast and those having discontinued taking industrial bakery with this meal. The decrease in the number of adolescents going to fast food places and of those that have discontinued eating candies regularly is statistically significant. The data from the KIDMED index show that 47.4% (p < 0.001) of de the students have improved the quality of their diet and in none of them it has worsened.

DISCUSSION

Before starting the programme, 30% of the students followed a high quality diet comparable to the traditional Mediterranean Diet, and after the education programme, this percentage increased to 58.6%. Forty-seven point four percent of overweighed or obese students receiving the Nutritional Education and Intervention have improved their diet quality and the percentage of those following a high quality diet varied from 28.9% to 71.0%.

Detection and treatment of post kidney transplant hyperglycemia: a Spanish multicenter cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is greater among patients with solid organ transplants than in the general population, although the factors associated with posttransplant DM (PTDM) are unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and assess the risk factors for PTDM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included outpatients with functioning isolated solid organ allografts (kidney, liver, heart, and lung). We collected demographic and posttransplant clinical data that included DM diagnostic ADA criteria, DM treatment, DM family history, presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), immunosuppression treatment, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

RESULTS

A total of 2178 patients included, 1410 kidney recipients, 489 liver transplants, 207 heart transplants, and 72 lung recipients. Seventeen and four-tenths percent of the patients who did not have DM prior to transplantation, developed PTDM (median time: 79 days). A greater prevalence was observed among patients with a family history, HCV, and tacrolimus treatment (with or without steroids P < .05). By logistic regression analyses, OR for these factors were 1.51, 1.65, and 1.38, respectively. Of those patients who did not suffer PTDM, 55.2% showed basal blood glucose values under 100 mg/dL; only 68% presented with a hemoglobin Alc under 6.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of PTDM among kidney recipients was higher than that in the general population. DM family history, HCV positive, and tacrolimus were risk factors associated with this entity.

Effects of intense exercise training on rainbow trout growth, body composition and metabolic responses

Cultured fish are bound to experience a variety of potentially stressful situations. In principle, stress may be reduced by adapting fish to intense exercise. This article addresses the effects of chase-induced intense exercise training on rainbow trout. Training reduced fish growth and worsened their nutritional use of food, but had no effect on food intake, biometry or body composition, indicating that a significant fraction of the diet's energy was being used for exercising rather than growth. Regarding metabolic responses, training significantly counterbalanced lactate, glucose and cortisol plasma concentration increases induced by intense exercise, while completely abolishing that of plasmatic proteins. These data suggest that this type of training adversely affects fish growth and food conversion, whereas it improves their metabolic response capacity and reduces the stress component of forced exercise.

Differences in tissue fatty acid composition between reared and wild sharpsnout sea bream, Diplodus puntazzo (Cetti, 1777)

The fatty acid composition and lipid content of white muscle, liver and mesenteric fat, in reared v. wild sharpsnout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo) were compared. The mesenteric fat index fat weight/body weight) and the lipid contents of both white muscle and liver proved consistently higher in farmed v. wild sharpsnout sea bream (79.0 (SE 13.1) v. 38.7 (SE 5.1) g/kg, 188.4 (SE 30.0) v. 58.2 (SE 3.9) g/kg and 27.2 (SE 3.7) v. 17.3 (SE 1.9) g/kg, respectively). The higher values of linoleic, eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic and n-3 series acids in reared fish muscle make reared sharpsnout more favourable for human consumption. In reared fish mesenteric fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids reached higher levels (32.54 (SE 0.71) g/100 g total fatty acids than those found in wild fish (26.08 (SE 1.38) g/100 g total fatty acids or even present in the diet (28.34 g/100 g total fatty acids). Compared with cultured fish, wild sharpsnout displayed a higher content of n-3 fatty acids in liver fat (31.67 (SE 1.13) g/100 g total fatty acids), but lower in mesenteric fat (20.35 (SE 1.41) g/100 g total fatty acids). Atherogenic index values were similar for wild and reared fish in all tissues, while the index of thrombogenicity of muscle and mesenteric fat (0.353 (SE 0.012) and 0.402 (SE 0.021) respectively) was significantly increased in wild fish probably due to the omnivorous habits of the species and/or to seasonal food variations. Depending on the time of the year or the season, reared fish could be more suitable for human consumption than wild fish.

Diadenosine polyphosphates facilitate the evoked release of acetylcholine from rat hippocampal nerve terminals

Diadenosine polyphosphates are present in synaptic vesicles, are released upon nerve stimulation and possess membrane receptors, namely in presynaptic terminals. However, the role of diadenosine polyphosphates to control neurotransmitter release in the CNS is not known. We now show that diadenosine pentaphosphate (Ap(5)A, 3-100 microM) facilitated in a concentration dependent manner the evoked release of acetylcholine from hippocampal nerve terminals, with a maximal facilitatory effect of 116% obtained with 30 microM Ap(5)A. The selective diadenosine polyphosphate receptor antagonist, diinosine pentaphosphate (Ip(5)I, 1 microM), inhibited by 75% the facilitatory effect of Ap(5)A (30 microM), whereas the P(2) receptor antagonists, suramin (100 microM) and pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS, 10 microM) only caused a 18-24% inhibition, the adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist, 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (20 nM), caused a 36% inhibition and the adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist, 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo [2,3-a][1,3, 5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)phenol (ZM 241385, 20 nM), was devoid of effect. These results show that diadenosine polyphosphates act as neuromodulators in the CNS, facilitating the evoked release of acetylcholine mainly through activation of diadenosine polyphosphate receptors.

Influence of exercise on plasma and muscle free amino acids in trained rainbow trout

Variations in the concentration of free amino acids in the muscle and plasma of trout submitted to 5 minutes of intense exercise have been studied. The responses of untrained fish and those trained performing the same type of exercise twice daily for 28 days are compared. Total amino acid concentrations in muscle tend to diminish after intense exercise. Significant decreases are observed in muscle content of alanine, beta-alanine, isoleucine and ornithine. Plasma amino acids tend to increase after exercise with significant differences in glutamate, GABA, methionine and NH4+. The small variations due to intense exercise suggest that the amino acids are mobilised. Training led to a decrease in total amino acid concentration in plasma but not in muscle, where levels of aspartate and ornithine increased. This suggests a metabolic adaptation to exercise, with amino acid level retention in the muscle.

Immunotherapy with a mass unit Parietaria judaica extract: a tolerance study with evidence of immunological changes to the major allergen Par j 1

Specific immunotherapy with Parietaria judaica pollen extract has been proven to be effective in the treatment of patients with respiratory allergy induced by this pollen. Nevertheless, there is some controversy about its tolerability. We conducted an open uncontrolled study to evaluate the tolerability of an aluminium adsorbed P. judaica pollen extract whose major allergen (Par j 1) content was known. Changes in immunological parameters to a complete P. judaica extract and to a purified Par j 1 preparation were monitored. Twenty-one patients (12 women, 9 men; mean age 30.2 years) suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma due to Parietaria pollen were enrolled. The maximum dose was established at 10 BU/ml (0.6 microgram Par j 1). Skin and conjunctival reactivity as well as serum levels of specific IgE, IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 were evaluated before therapy (T0), when 1 BU was given (T1), 2 weeks after the maintenance dose was reached (T2) and after the pollen season (T3). Four-hundred and fifteen doses were administered during immunotherapy. Only one systemic reaction (0.24% of doses) and two local reactions were registered. Reactions occurred during the administration of the highest concentrated vial. Before immunotherapy, purified Par j 1 accounted for 94.2% of the cutaneous response elicited by the complete extract. A statistically significant decrease in cutaneous response was detected after 8 weeks of treatment. There were no significant changes in conjunctival reactivity throughout the study. Specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 showed a pronounced and significant increase during the study, while specific IgE levels initially decreased and increased after the pollen season. The kinetics of specific antibodies to P. judaica complete extract and purified Par j 1 showed a parallel trend. The present study demonstrates that immunotherapy with P. judaica extract is well tolerated in patients suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma due to Parietaria pollen. This therapy induces specific changes in the immunological response to P. judaica and to purified Par j 1. These changes can be detected at very early stages of therapy.

[Immune reconstitution after autologous progenitor hemopoietic cell transplantation. A study comparing autologous bone marrow and autologous peripheral blood transplantation]

BACKGROUND

In order to find out the effect of peripheral blood (PB) hematopoietic progenitor cells on immune reconstitution the present study compares, through a randomized trial, some lymphoid subsets after peripheral blood (PBT) or bone marrow (BMT) autologous transplantation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twelve patients suffering from malignant hematological disorders were included (6 BMT and 6 PBT). From these patients 14 lymphoid and natural killer (NK) subsets were sequentially analyzed using appropriate dual staining. NK activity was analyzed by measuring Cr51 release from the K562 cell line. Studies were done in days and -6, +10, +17, +24, +31, +38, +52, +66, +90, +120, +180 and +360 after transplantation.

RESULTS

The CD8+ cell regeneration was produced mainly by activated cells (CD38+), and no differences were observed between BMT and PBT, but CD8+ HLADR+ cells were higher in the PBT group. During the first year after transplantation CD4+ lymphoid cells were never within normal range, and its recovery was due to the memory subset (CD4+/CD45RO+). The CD19+ lymphocytes began their regeneration after the first month and it was produced mainly by by the CD19+/CD5+ subset. NK cells recovered faster in patients who underwent PBT, but NK activity was similar in both subgroups of patients and it was within normal range from day +17 until the end of the study.

CONCLUSION

T, B and NK lymphoid reconstitution do not differ significantly between patients that receive BM or PB as hemathopoietic rescue, but PB seems influence a faster reconstitution of cytotoxic subsets (CD8+/HLADR+ and NK lymphoid cells).

[Adverse reactions to insulin]

The prevalence of allergic reactions to insuline has decreased during the last few years. Probably this is due to the use of the newly-developed recombinant human insuline. At present, adverse reactions to insuline occur in 5-10% of patients on therapy with insuline. Adverse reactions may be local (more frequent) or systemic (rare). Insuline resistance consists in a different type of immunological reaction. Diagnosis of allergy to insuline is based on clinical history and cutaneous and serological tests. Treatment depends upon the severity of the reaction. When insuline is indispensable despite a previous allergic reaction, a desensitization protocol may be implemented.

Trout plasma metabolites, blood factors and spleen contraction: responses to exercise

Fish react to handling and capture with a burst of exercise that affects them deeply. The present study examines the effect of such severe exercise and the time course of recovery on the hematology (including spleen response) and metabolism of a population of cultured rainbow trout. Exercise was induced by continuous chasing for 5 min when the trout showed signs of exhaustion. Such exercise led to spleen contraction and an increase in haematocrit values. Carbohydrates were mobilized and anaerobic glycolysis produced lactate without significant effect on lipid metabolism. The conclusion is reached that the respiratory properties of rainbow trout blood do not change following severe exercise, while muscle anaerobic metabolism is slightly activated as deduced from the fast and short lactacidemia observed, which may have been related to a reduced stressing component, as the exercise was performed in the same environment in which the fish were reared.

[Long-term culture: evidence of the capacity of stroma to sustain hematopoiesis of a second inoculum]

PURPOSE

To analyze, in two-stages long term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC), the efficiency of the method used for irradiation of the stroma and to check if after that, it's capable to support the hematopoiesis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have used for the first inoculum, bone marrow cells from eight controls. They were cultured at 2 x 10(6) cells/ml concentration until obtaining a fully confluent stroma which was irradiated with 15 Gy. After that, over this layer, we put a second inoculum with bone marrow cells in four cases, and with peripheral blood cells in four others, at a concentration of 1 x 10(5) cells/mL. In four cases the first inoculum was from a man and the second from a woman. The culture's haematopoietic activity was determined by the number of CFU-GM, total cell counts and the differential counts during four weeks. At the end of the study we recovered the cells from the supernatant of the culture and they were analyzed by in situ hybridization with an alpha centromeric probe specific to the X chromosome.

RESULTS

In all cases we obtained a confluent stroma with production of haematopoiesis (cobblestone areas). The cells recovered at the end of the culture were, in all cases, from the second inoculum because they had a double signal with the X probe. The number of CFU-GM obtained was higher in bone marrow than in peripheral blood (34.5 and 9.2 respectively) however, the total cells were similar in both cases (2.3 x 10(5) and 2.9 x 10(5)) although the cellular subtypes varied depending on the second inoculum (B.M. or P.B.).

CONCLUSION

Our data confirm that the dose of 15 Gy eradicate the haemopoiesis of first inoculum, which allowed to analyze stroma and progenitor cells, separately. In addition, the stroma is capable to support the hematopoiesis generated by progenitor cells from peripheral and bone marrow.

A randomized study comparing the effect of GM-CSF and G-CSF on immune reconstitution after autologous bone marrow transplantation

Haemopoietic growth factors (HGFs) have been shown to accelerate recovery from severe neutropenia after autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) but their effect on immune reconstitution is not well defined. The present study compares, through randomized trial, the in vivo effect of GM-CSF and G-CSF administration on the immune recovery of patients who underwent ABMT. For that purpose, we have sequentially analysed 14 different T, B and NK lymphoid cell subsets using appropriate dual staining during the first year following transplant (days +6, +17, +31, +66, +90, +120, +180, +360). 24 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders (20 lymphomas and four multiple myelomas) and who had undergone ABMT were included in the study. The median age was 43 years (range 22-62 years). All lymphoma patients were homogenously conditioned with BEAM. Our results show that both GM-CSF and G-CSF aid T-cell (CD3+/alpha beta) recovery though their contribution varies depending on the T-cell subset analysed. G-CSF contributed to a significantly faster recovery of CD8+ cells (P = 0.03). The CD8+ cell regeneration was produced mainly by activated cells (CD38+/HLA-DR+) which lacked the CD11b antigen. In contrast, GM-CSF favoured the regeneration of CD4+ cells (through both the CD45RO+ and CD45RA+ subset), leading to a higher CD4+:CD8+ ratio (P = 0.007). No statistically significant differences were detected in the three groups of patients as regards both the recovery of NK cells and NK activity. Furthermore, the use of HGF did not seem to exert a significant influence on the recovery of B lymphocytes. This recovery was based on the CD5+ subpopulation that showed a rapid rise after the first month. We suggest that G-CSF and GM-CSF not only influence myeloid recovery, but also regeneration of the immune system after ABMT.

[Activity of various hematopoietic growth factors on acute myeloblastic leukemia blasts]

PURPOSE

Acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) cells respond to some extent to the action of haemopoietic growth factors (HGF). This work is aimed to analyse the effect of IL-3, GM-CSF and G-CSF on the proliferative and self-replication capabilities of AML cells and to correlate such response with the morphological and immunological characteristics of the blast cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Mononucleated cells from the peripheral blood of 26 AML patients were incubated in liquid medium without serum in presence of IL-3 and GM-CSF alone and in combination with G-CSF. Cell proliferation was evaluated by determination of the increase in the number of cells harvested after incubation with the HGF. The proliferative response was studied in 8 cases by flow cytometry analysis of the cell cycle (number of cells in S-phase). The capability of IL-3 and GM-CSF to induce self-replication of the leukaemic clonogenic cell (CFU-L) was analysed in 9 cases by techniques of replanting on semi-solid medium.

RESULTS

Cell proliferation was induced with IL-3 in more cases than with GM-CSF (50% vs 28%); furthermore, the stimulus induced by IL-3 was also more evident, as the number of cells harvested was greater than that corresponding to GM-CSF (2.1 +/- 1.1 x 10(6) cell/mL vs 1.4 +/- 1.4 x 10(6) cells/mL, p = 0.10). Although no clear correlation was seen between the proliferative response to HGF and the immunologic or morphologic subtype of the blast cells, no response to GM-CSF was detected in those cases classified as M2 nor in the CD15-positive leukaemias. A synergistic effect of G-CSF and IL-3 or GM-CSF was found in only 20% of the cases. Both IL-3 and GM-CSF augmented the number of cells in S phase in all the cases analysed; this increase was higher in M1 and M2 with respect to the leukaemias with monocytic component.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-3 and GM-CSF induced self-replication of CFU-L in a half of the cases. This effect was not dependent upon the kind of stimulating agent used (IL-3 or GM-CSF), and appeared unrelated to the morphologic or immunologic characteristics of the leukaemia.

[Clonogenic cells of acute leukemia secondary to myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic syndromes]

PURPOSE

To assess if the in vitro behaviour of leukaemic colony-forming units (CFU-L) from secondary leukaemias is similar to that of the de novo acute myeloblastic leukaemia. An attempt was also made to verify if such behaviour correlated with the characteristics of the disease or with the cell-surface markers of the leukaemic population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study was carried out on 21 patients with secondary acute leukaemia (12 had previous myelodysplastic syndrome, MDS-AL, and 9 had previous chronic myeloproliferative syndromes, MPS-AL). Peripheral blood mononucleated cells were cultured on methyl-cellulose with MCL-PHA stimulation. The dishes were examined after 7 days of incubation in humid 37 degrees C environment with 5% CO2. Direct or indirect immunofluorescence was used for the immunophenotypic analysis and the patients were divided in two groups: 1) immature phenotype, which include those cases expressing only precursor (CD34) or pan-myeloid (CD33/13) antigens, and (2) mature phenotype, comprising the caes with granulomonocytic (CD15, CD14), erythroid (glycophorin) or megakaryocytic (CD61) differentiation. The statistical analysis was done with the BMDP programme.

RESULTS

Up to 95% of the secondary acute leukaemias proliferate in vitro, as opposed to 82% of the de novo ones, the difference not being significant (p = 0.14). Successful cell showing was clearly superior in the former (p = 0.02), mostly due to higher proliferation of the MPS-AL cells. Neither the clinico-biologic characteristics of the patients nor the phenotype of the blast cells correlated with the in vitro behaviour of CFU-L. Only CD19 antigen expression and nuclear TdT provided a lesser in vitro growth (p = 0.05 and p-0.06, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In general terms, secondary leukaemias, especially MPS-AL, show higher in vitro growth than de novo acute myeloblastic leukaemias.