Impact of Different Cell Counting Methods in Molecular Monitoring of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Prebiotic effects of Talinum triangulare and Mangifera indica on slow growing broiler chickens (SASSO)

1

The study aim was to evaluate the prebiotic effects of Talinum triangulare and Mangifera indica used on slow growing broiler chickens.

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Three hundred and sixty (360) slow-growing chicks of four weeks of age and similar weight were selected and divided into four (04) treatments (Positive Control, Negative Control, 2 % T. triangulare and 2 % M. indica) of 6 replicates with, fifteen (15) chicks per replicate, which made ninety (90) chicks per treatment.

3

At 12 week age, blood sample and cecal content were taken from 6 chickens per treatment to determine heamatological profile and fermentation parameters (Short Chain Fatty Acid). The data obtained were submitted to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the software R version 3.6.2 (R Core Team, 2019).

4

Results showed that growth performance, haematological parameters, acetic, butyric, valeric and caproic acids were similar between broilers fed with the leave powders and the positive control treatment. However, broilers fed with Talinum triangulare and Mangifera indica powders showed a lower mortality rate, compared to the negative and positive control treatments. Moreover, broilers fed with the leave powders showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) formic acid concentration than the other treatments.

5

Talinum triangulare and Mangifera indica leaves could have prebiotic properties because they stimulated the production of short-chain fatty acids that keep animals healthy.

Assessing the suitability of cell counting methods during different stages of a cell processing workflow using an ISO 20391-2 guided study design and analysis

Cell counting is a fundamental measurement for determining viable cell numbers in biomanufacturing processes. The properties of different cell types and the range of intended uses for cell counts within a biomanufacturing process can lead to challenges in identifying suitable counting methods for each potential application. This is further amplified by user subjectivity in identifying the cells of interest and further identifying viable cells. Replacement of traditionally used manual counting methods with automated systems has alleviated some of these issues. However, a single cell type can exhibit different physical properties at various stages of cell processing which is further compounded by process impurities such as cell debris or magnetic beads. These factors make it challenging to develop a robust cell counting method that offers a high level of confidence in the results. Several initiatives from standards development organizations have attempted to address this critical need for standardization in cell counting. This study utilizes flow-based and image-based methods for the quantitative measurement of cell concentration and viability in the absence of a reference material, based on the tools and guidance provided by the International of Standards (ISO) and the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Primary cells were examined at different stages of cell processing in a cell therapy workflow. Results from this study define a systematic approach that enables the identification of counting methods and parameters that are best suited for specific cell types and workflows to ensure accuracy and consistency. Cell counting is a foundational method used extensively along various steps of cell and gene therapy. The standard used in this study may be applied to other cell and gene therapy processes to enable accurate measurement of parameters required to guide critical decisions throughout the development and production process. Using a framework that confirms the suitability of the cell counting method used can minimize variability in the process and final product.

Label-Free Enrichment of Circulating Tumor Plasma Cells: Future Potential Applications of Dielectrophoresis in Multiple Myeloma

In multiple myeloma (MM), circulating tumor plasma cells (CTPCs) are an emerging prognostic factor, offering a promising and minimally invasive means for longitudinal patient monitoring. Recent advances highlight the complex biology of plasma cell trafficking, highlighting the phenotypic and genetic signatures of intra- and extra-medullary MM onset, making CTPC enumeration and characterization a new frontier of precision medicine for MM patients, requiring novel technological platforms for their standardized and harmonized detection. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an emerging label-free cell manipulation technique to separate cancer cells from healthy cells in peripheral blood samples, based on phenotype and membrane capacitance that could be successfully tested to enumerate and isolate CTPCs. Herein, we summarize preclinical data on DEP development for CTPC detection, as well as their clinical and research potential.