The preprocedural peripheral lymphocyte count can predict the number of lymphocytes within the buffy coat collected during ECP, which may justify the use of peripheral lymphocyte count as a surrogate for the cell dose treated per procedure. Peripheral monocyte counts may serve as an alternative. CELLEX is more efficient in collecting lymphocytes and monocytes than UVAR XTS under conditions tested.

Although recent research indicates the importance of early recognition and intervention for children with autism, it is clear that many families remain very dissatisfied with the diagnostic process. In order to improve this situation, it is essential that primary care practitioners, such as GPs, are fully aware of the core symptoms of autism. The present study reports on autism awareness amongst 250 medical students at different stages of their training. Differences between first-year and fourth-year students were compared with respect to their knowledge of various aspects of autism, including diagnosis, cause, symptomatology, treatment and outcome. Fourth-year students were significantly more likely to respond correctly to questions related to diagnostic criteria and core symptoms. However no significant differences were found between first-year and fourth-year students for other aspects, such as possible causes, IQ profiles, prognosis and treatment. These findings suggest that more emphasis needs to be placed on teaching medical students about autism if diagnosis and access to intervention are to be improved.

Buffy coat can be collected for ECP using CELLEX in GVHD patients with a haematocrit of 25% or higher, with a collection efficiency superior to that in patients with higher haematocrits but treated using UVAR XTS. No increase in adverse events was observed at these lower haematocrits.