SummaryTo assess the effects of interferon 3/(IFN-y) on very primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells, CD342+CD38-human bone marrow cells were isolated and cultured in a two-stage culture system, consisting of a primary liquid culture phase followed by a secondary semisolid colony assay. CD342+CD38 -cells needed at least the presence of interleukin 3 (IL-3) and kit ligand (KL) together with either IL-1, IL-6, or granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the primary liquid phase in order to proliferate and differentiate into secondary colony-forming cells (CFC). Addition of IFN-7 to the primary liquid cultures inhibited cell proliferation and generation of secondary CFC in a dose-dependent way. This was a direct effect since it was also seen in primary single cell cultures of CD342 + CD38-cells. The proliferation of more mature CD34 + CD38 + cells, however, was not inhibited by IFN-7, demonstrating for the first time that IFN-7 is a specific and direct hematopoietic stem cell inhibitor. IFN-7, moreover, preserves the viability of CD342+CD38 -cells in the absence of other cytokines. IFN-7 could, therefore, play a role in the protection of the stem cell compartment from exhaustion in situations of hematopoietic stress and may be useful as stem cell protecting agent against chemotherapy for cancer.

To support the global restart of elective surgery, data from an international prospective cohort study of 8492 patients (69 countries) was analysed using artificial intelligence (machine learning techniques) to develop a predictive score for mortality in surgical patients with SARS-CoV-2. We found that patient rather than operation factors were the best predictors and used these to create the COVIDsurg Mortality Score (https://covidsurgrisk.app). Our data demonstrates that it is safe to restart a wide range of surgical services for selected patients.

Significant functional recovery was observed early after separation from CPB, which was suggestive of time-dependent changes in both systolic and diastolic left ventricular function induced by preload restoration.

BackgroundObtaining hemostasis during cardiovascular procedures can be a challenge, particularly around areas with a complex geometry or that are difficult to access. While several topical hemostats are currently on the market, most have caveats that limit their use in certain clinical scenarios such as pulsatile arterial bleeding. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of Veriset™ hemostatic patch in treating cardiovascular bleeding.MethodsPatients (N=90) scheduled for cardiac or vascular surgery at 12 European institutions were randomized 1:1 to treatment with either Veriset™ hemostatic patch (investigational device) or TachoSil® (control). After application of the hemostat, according to manufacturer instructions for use, time to hemostasis was monitored. Follow-up occurred up to 90 days post-surgery.ResultsMedian time to hemostasis was 1.5 min with Veriset™ hemostatic patch, compared to 3.0 min with TachoSil® (p<0.0001). Serious adverse events within 30 days post-surgery were experienced by 12/44 (27.3%) patients treated with Veriset™ hemostatic patch and 10/45 (22.2%) in the TachoSil® group (p=0.6295). None of these adverse events were device-related, and no reoperations for bleeding were required within 5 days post-surgery in either treatment group.ConclusionThis study reinforces the difference in minimum recommended application time between Veriset™ hemostatic patch and TachoSil® (30 s versus 3 min respectively). When compared directly at 3 min, Veriset™ displayed no significant difference, showing similar hemostasis and safety profiles on the cardiovascular bleeding sites included in this study.