Anurag Ateet Gupta

HPLC Method for Monitoring the Conjugated Dienes and Olefins in FCC, Coker Gasolines, and their Hydrogenated Products

The conjugated dienes if present in gasoline have the tendency to polymerize and cause fouling during various refinery processes. Therefore the conjugated dienes need to be reduced. While the conjugated dienes in gasoline are undesirable, the olefins are desirable and act as octane booster. The selective hydrogenation unit selectively reduces conjugated dienes keeping the content of olefins more or less intact. A method based on HPLC-UV-RI has been reported to simultaneously monitor the conjugated dienes and olefins content in the gasoline range samples. The reported method has the detection level of 0.02 (w/W)% for the total conjugated dienes with respect to 2,4-dimethyl 1,3-pentadiene (DMP). The calibration curve for DMP is drawn in the range 0.2–2.5% (w/W) and the R2 is found to be 0.9972. The method is also applicable for the estimation of olefins content above 10% (w/W) level with respect to 1-octene. The calibration curve is drawn in the range 10–50% (w/W) of 1-octene and the R2 is found to be 0.9995.

Jumping translocation in a case of de novo infant acute myeloid leukemia.

An infant presented with fever and purulent discharge from the left ear, proptosis of the right eye, and hepatosplenomegaly. She was diagnosed with acute monoblastic leukemia on morphological and flowcytometric analysis of the bone marrow. Karyotyping showed a jumping translocation (JT) involving the long arm of chromosome 1 as the sole cytogenetic abnormality in 29 metaphases. The patient died within 2 months of diagnosis. The presence of JT in a de novo infant AML as a sole cytogenetic abnormality indicates its possible role in leukemogenesis unlike previous reports that have implicated its role in tumor progression only. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:387–389.

Effect of cross-linking agent on ethylene vinyl acetate/polyoctenamer modified bitumen

The objective of the present work is to investigate the combined effect of polyoctenamer polymer and a cross-linking agent (i.e. sulphur) in order to overcome the traditional deficiencies such as low elastic recovery and high-temperature storage stability in ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) modified bitumen. Ten test samples were prepared through the modification of asphalt with EVA in the presence of trans-polyoctenamer (TPOR) polymer and sulphur at various percentages. The physical and rheological properties, including penetration, softening point, elastic recovery, viscosity, storage stability and superpave performance of the EVA-modified asphalt were then compared to that of conventional EVA-polyoctenamer modified asphalt. It was seen from results that the storage stability of the EVA-modified asphalt was significantly improved in the presence of polyoctenamer and sulphur. The elastic recovery, dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests reported that such modification has a substantial effect in enhancing the elastic properties and the overall rheological properties of the modified asphalt.

Rheological evaluation of bitumen modified using antistripping additives synthesised from waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

ABSTRACT The use of amine-based additives is common practice to improve the stripping resistance and performance properties of bituminous mixtures. This study is concerned with the synthesis of additives derived from waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and investigation of its effect as an effective modifier for bitumen. Firstly, two amine functionalised additives namely bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalamide (BHETA) and bis(2-aminoethyl) terephthalamide (BAET) were chemically synthesised using an aminolysis process from waste PET. The effects of BAET and BHETA on bitumen and bituminous mixture performance were then identified through conventional binder, Marshall Stability, Hot water stripping, Superpave performance, and Hamburg Wheel Tracking tests. The results indicated that BAET modified bitumen showed a significant improvement in moisture resistance as well as other properties such as enhanced Marshall stability, low and high temperature performance. On the other hand, BHETA modified bitumen did not show similar characteristics and exhibited only a marginal performance improvement as compared to the virgin bitumen. It was inferred from the proposed interaction mechanism that the terminal functional group of the additives has a substantial effect in determining the performance properties of such modified binders. Overall, this study has confirmed the possibility of using waste PET materials as an environmentally friendly modifier for bituminous mixtures.

Novel t(2;12)(q31;p13) in a case of pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: The role of ETV6 in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been extensively studied, whereas only rare cases of ETV6 involvement in pediatric T-cell ALL have been described. Observation: We report a case of T-cell ALL in a 13-year-old boy with t(2;12)(q31;p13) involving ETV6, resulting in the relocation of the ETV6 from 12p13 to 2q31 locus that harbors the class 1 homeobox gene (HOX) cluster D, which is expressed during the early stages of T-cell development. Conclusions: We report a novel translocation in T-cell ALL highlighting the involvement of ETV6 and potentially the HOXD gene cluster in a case of T-cell ALL.

Evaluation of trans-polyoctenamer and cross-linking agents on the performance of waste polystyrene modified asphalt

The incorporation of waste plastic materials such as polystyrene (PS) in asphalt pavement has shown promise to improve its durability and simultaneously help alleviate the environmental problems caused by waste plastic sources. But the addition of these materials introduces issues such as poor mixability and phase separation during the paving process. Studies have shown that the inclusion of various reactive polymeric additives and cross-linking agents may help improve these issues. The aim of the present work is to examine the feasibility of using trans-polyoctenamer and sulphur based modifiers to enhance the performance properties of PS-modified asphalt. To achieve this objective, various modified binder samples were prepared and characterised through numerous conventional and Superpave rheological assessments including storage stability, dynamic shear rheometer and bending beam rheometer tests. The results of the laboratory evaluation indicated the modified binder samples met storage stability requirements, showed a significant improvement in elastic recovery and provided better overall performance compared to the conventional binder.

“Faggot Neutrophils!” in Non-acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Rare Occurrence

A 19 year old male presented with fever of 4 days duration without organomegaly or lymphadenopathy. Peripheral blood evaluation revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia and leucocytosis. Peripheral smear and bone-marrow aspirate showed[ 20% blasts, many containing single Auer rod. Maturing myeloid, few neutrophils including few dysmorphic forms also showed single Auer rod. ‘‘Faggot’’ like multiple Auer rod collections were noted in the neutrophils (Fig. 1a, b). A diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with aberrant expression of CD19 and CD56 was rendered by flowcytometry. Cytogenetic studies showed the presence of t(8;21) and the karyotype was reported as 45,X,Y,t(8;21)(q22;q22)[13]/46,idem,?8[07] as per the ISCN 2013 (Fig. 1C). Fluorescence in situ hybridization for PML-RARa was negative (Fig. 1D). The patient was started on cytarabine–daunorubicin based chemotherapy and is under follow up. Auer rods, first reported by John Auer in 1906 and first recognised by Thomas McCrae, are considered pathognomonic of myeloid differentiation. They are described as intracytoplasmic rod shaped peroxidase-positive structures formed by aggregation, and concentration of the peroxidase granules in the leukemic blasts [1, 2]. They are also called as McCrae rods. Auer rods can be seen in M1 to M6 French–American–British classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), however they are most commonly seen in acute promyelocytic leukemia, AML M3, where they are arranged in fascicles or bundles in cells named as ‘‘faggot cells’’. Faggot cells, which morphologically is considered diagnostic of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), are abnormal promyelocytes containing 3 or more Auer rods. Occurrence of more than two Auer rods in blasts is unusual in a non-APL cases [3]. Auer rods in neutrophils and maturing myeloids is a rare morphological finding. Presence of Auer rods in neutrophils is indicative of nucleo-cytoplasmic asynchrony [4]. A literature review published by Singh et al. in 2015 showed 12 case reports where presence of Auer rods was documented in neutrophils, myelocytes, and rarely in monocytes in cases belonging to the FAB AML-M2, M3 category and mixed lineage leukemia [5, 6]. Cases of Auer rods in mature neutrophils described in acute promyelocytic leukemia on treatment indicates these abnormal neutrophils to be derived from leukemic promyelocytes. It has been postulated that though ATRA is capable of inducing differentiation of leukemic promyelocytes, it is incapable of inducing morphological maturation of neutrophils [7]. In the present case, multiple Auer rods were seen in mature neutrophils, prompting us to coin the term ‘‘faggot neutrophils’’. The possibility of acute promyelocytic leukemia was excluded as the FISH for PML RARa was negative. Cytogenetic studies showed the presence of t(8;21). In non-acute promyelocytic leukemia cases, occurrence of ‘‘faggot cells’’ is rare, whereas occurrence of ‘‘faggot neutrophils’’ is rarer! [8–10]. Presence of ‘‘faggot neutrophils’’ in a case should alert one not only to evaluate for acute promyelocytic leukemia, but also for t(8;21) and cytogenetic studies play a crucial role. & Anurag Gupta dranuraggupta30@gmail.com

Megakaryocytic emperipolesis associated with thrombocytopenia - Causative or Coincidence?

Phagocytosis, emperipolesis, and entosis are physiological and pathological phenomena characterized by the engulfment of one cell into another cell [1]. Emperipolesis is defined as active penetration of one cell by another, which remains intact [2]. Emperipolesis differs from phagocytosis in that an engulfed cell exists temporarily within another cell and with an intact normal structure, while in phagocytosis, the engulfed cell is destroyed by the proteolytic action of lysosomal enzymes [1,2]. Entosis is a non-apoptotic cell death mechanism that occurs in cell populations deprived of matrix attachment [3,4].

Lymphoblasts with Auer rod - like inclusions in a case of paediatric B lymphoblastic leukemia.

To The Editor: A 5 year old male on treatment with steroids and methotrexate for idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis was determined to have anaemia and thrombocytopenia without organomegaly or lymphadenopathy. Peripheral blood (PB) smear revealed 43% blasts with <1% blasts showing presence of Auer-rod-like intracytoplasmic inclusions (ARLI) (Fig. 1). Myeloperoxidase cytochemistry was negative. Flow cytometry was consistent with B-lymphoblastic leukemia with blasts expressing CD34, CD19, CD10, CD22, CD38, CD79a, and HLA-DR and negative for CD45, CD20, CD2, cytoplasmic CD3, CD5, CD7, CD13, CD33, CD117 and myeloperoxidase. Cytogenetics revealed hyperdiploidy with karyotype reported as 56,XY,+X,+4,+5,der(5)t(5;5)(q22;q13),+6,+8,+10,+14,+17,+18,+21 [2]/57,idem,+21[13]/58,+X,+4,+5,+5,+6,+8,+10,+14,+17,+18,+21,+ 21[4]/46,XY[1]. The patient was treated on a good risk BerlinFrankfurt-Münster (BFM) protocol. Day 35 bone marrow showed complete morphological remission. The patient is alive and currently under follow-up. Auer rods, first described by JohnAuer, are rod-shaped peroxidasepositive intracytoplasmic structures formed by aggregation and concentration of the peroxidase granules in the leukemic blasts and are diagnostic of myeloid differentiation.1–3 Auer rods are seen in M1 to M6 French-American-British classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), most commonly associated with AML-M3.4 These have also been reported in immature myeloid cells from PB of normal human foetuses.5 ARLI in lymphoid cells have been described rarely in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, prolymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, follicular lymphoma and peripheral marginal zone lymphoma. These inclusions on electron microscopy were found to be swollen mitochondria or immunoglobulins.6–9 Round to oval intracytoplasmic inclusions resemblingmicrotubules, lysosomes, ribosomal-lamellar complexes, viral particles, and mitochondria have been reported in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).10 However, ARLI inB-lymphoblasts havebeen reportedonly in two cases of adult ALL11,12: a 28 year old female with 80% blasts in bone marrow and a 27 year old male with 83% blasts in PB. Rare blasts showed ARLI in both cases, which were peroxidase and Sudan black-B positive in former and negative in the latter.11,12 Except for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), immunophenotyping was not available for the former case11; hence the possibility of myeloid phenotype can-

dic(7;9) with loss of Tp53 gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

1. Oshima K, Jaffe ES, Kikuchi M. Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma. In: Swerdlow SH, Campo E, Harris NL, Jaffe ES, Pileri SA, Stein H, et al., editors. WHO Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. 4th ed. Lyon, PA: IARC; 2008. p. 281‐4. 2. Nair RA, Jacob PM, Nair SG, Prem S, Jayasudha AV, Sindhu NP, et al. Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma in Kerala, South India: Are we staring at the tip of the iceberg? J Hematop 2013;6:135‐44. 3. Kumura T, Hino M, Yamane T, Ohta K, Nakao T, Wakasa K, et al. Triple‐negative (CD3‐/CD4‐/CD8‐) adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma, histologically presenting as CD30 (Ki‐1)‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with clonal Epstein‐Barr virus genome. Leukemia 2001;15:994‐5. 4. Lin TH, Wu HC, Hsieh YC, Tseng CE, Ichinohasama R, Chuang SS. CD4 and CD8 double‐negative adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma with monomorphic cells expressing CD99: A diagnostic challenge in a country non‐endemic for human T‐cell leukemia virus. Pathol Int 2013;63:132‐7. 5. Groh V, Fabbi M, Hochstenbach F, Maziarz RT, Strominger JL. Double‐negative (CD4‐CD8‐) lymphocytes bearing T‐cell receptor alpha and beta chains in normal human skin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1989;86:5059‐63. 6. Suzushima H, Asou N, Hattori T, Takatsuki K. Adult T‐cell leukemia derived from S100 beta positive double‐negative (CD4‐ CD8‐) T cells. Leuk Lymphoma 1994;13:257‐62. 7. Dahmoush L, Hijazi Y, Barnes E, Stetler‐Stevenson M, Abati A. Adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma: A cytopathologic, immunocytochemical, and flow cytometric study. Cancer 2002;96:110‐6.