ALBERT

Description: The process of biomass compaction depends on many factors, related to material and process. One of the most important is the proper fragmentation of the raw material. In most cases, more fragmented raw material makes it easier to achieve the desired quality parameters of pellets or briquettes. While the chipping of biomass prefers moist materials, for grinding, the material needs to be dried. As drying temperature changes the properties of the material, these may affect the grinding process. The aim of this work was to determine the influence of the drying temperature of biomass raw material in the range of 60–140 °C on the biomass grindability. To only determine this effect, without the influence of moisture, grinding was carried out on the material in a dry state. The research was carried out on a mill with a knife and hammer grinding system, which is the most popular in the fragmentation of biomass. The analysis of particle size distribution and bulk density of the obtained material was carried out. The energy demand for the grinding process was determined and it was shown that drying temperature, grinding system, and mainly type of biomass affects the grindability.

Description: In Poland the use of solid biomass obtained from intentional plantations of energy plants is increasing. This biomass is most often processed into solid fuels. There are growing indications that renewable energy sources, in particular biomass production, will continue to develop, so the better we know the raw material, the more effectively we will be able to use it. The results of tests that determine the impact of compaction pressure on selected quality parameters of pellets made from selected biomass types are presented. Material from plants such as Giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu), Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.), Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby) was studied. The compaction process was carried out using the SIRIO P400 hydraulic press with a closed chamber with a diameter of 12 mm. Samples were made in four pressures: 131; 196; 262; 327 MPa and three moisture levels: 8%, 11%, 14%. It was found that with increasing compaction pressure and moisture content up to a certain point, the density and durability of the pellets also increased. Each of the materials is characterized by a specific course of changes in the parameters tested.

Description: For biomass compaction, it is important to determine all aspects of the process that will affect the quality of pellets and briquettes. The low bulk density of biomass leads to many problems in transportation and storage, necessitating the use of a compaction process to ensure a solid density of at least 1000 kg·m−3 and bulk density of at least 600 kg·m−3. These parameters should be achieved at a relatively low compaction pressure that can be achieved through the proper preparation of the raw material. As the compaction process includes a drying stage, the aim of this work is to determine the influence of the drying temperature of pine biomass in the range of 60–140 °C on the compaction process. To determine whether this effect is compensated by the moisture, compaction was carried out on the material in a dry state and on the materials with moisture contents of 5% and 10% and for compacting pressures in the 130.8–457.8 MPa range. It was shown that drying temperature affects the specific density and mechanical durability of the pellets obtained from the raw material in the dry state, while an increase in the moisture content of the raw material neutralizes this effect.

Description: BACKGROUND: The European Commission has granted conditional approval to daratumumab (DARA) as monotherapy in adult patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) whose prior therapy included a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD) and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. DARA was approved under an accelerated assessment based on single-arm phase 2 studies. Outcomes in these heavily pretreated pts in a real-world (RW) setting can provide evidence on the relative treatment efficacy of DARA versus physician's choice (PC). AIMS: To perform an adjusted comparison of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for DARA monotherapy versus PC, as observed in a RW historical cohort of heavily pretreated and highly refractory MM pts from the Czech Republic using pt-level data. METHODS: Using RW longitudinal pt chart data from the Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies (RMG) of the Czech Myeloma Group, pts with ≥2 prior lines of therapy previously exposed to both a PI and an IMiD were identified. Pt-level data from the RMG were pooled from pivotal DARA monotherapy studies (pts treated with DARA 16 mg/kg). Pts in the RMG could contribute information to the analysis for multiple lines of therapy, with baseline defined as the date of initiation of the actual treatment line. For the definition of PFS, missing data for the date of disease progression for pts in the RMG who initiated subsequent therapy were replaced by the conservative proxy of the date of initiation of the next treatment. OS and PFS were analysed using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. To adjust for confounding variables, a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was developed that included age, gender, beta-2 microglobulin levels (β2M : 5.5 g/L), albumin levels (

Description: Introduction: Collection of valid data in patients with hematologic malignancies remains a challenge. Especially low grade malignancies require long term follow-up and valid high quality data. The RMG registry was established in 2007 and has become one of the flagship projects of the Czech Myeloma group. To date, four parts of the registry are active - module for multiple myeloma (MM), monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS), AL amyloidosis (ALA) and Waldeströms macroglobulinemia. The later two has been started in 2014. Aim: To analyze current status of the registry in terms of amount of contained data. Methods: All patients must sign a written consent before entering their data into the registry. Data concerning diagnosis, demography, treatment and survival are regularly collected and updated into the registry via online system at https://trials.cba.muni.cz/trialdb2/interface_forms/login_rmg.asp. The data from MGUS patients are retrospective and prospective, data from MM patients are only prospective (since 2007). Registry is regularly monitored and data are validated by an external monitor. Results: There are 22 participating centers as of July 2015 (18 from the Czech Republic and 4 from Slovakia). Data from 4549 patients with MM, 2168 with MGUS, 121 patients with WM and 22 with ALA have been collected. Together 6860 patients have been included in the registry as of July 2015. Median follow-up of MGUS patients is 4 years (0-35 years) and median follow-up for MM patients is 2 years (0-32 years). The huge amount of data allowed publication of treatment results of MM patients treated with bortezomid and thalidomide in the Czech Republic and regular analysis of patients treated with lenalidomide. Novel prognostic models for MGUS progression and asymptomatic myeloma have been created based on registry data (manuscripts submitted). Conclusion: The RMG is one of the largest registries in Europe. Its biggest advantage is collection of validated updated data which can be used to create rapid analyses in order to react to changing myeloma field. It helps us to create new guidelines and serves as a potent research tool. It can be also used to negotiate reimbursement with healthcare insurance companies and government regulatory authorities for novel drugs implementation into treatment standards. Supported by The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Specific university research of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava) project no. SGS01/LF/2014-2015, by the Moravian-Silesian Region - grant no. MSK 02692/2014/RRC, by the Institutional Development Plan of University of Ostrava in 2015, financial resources are allocated by The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Supported by grant NT14575. Disclosures Hajek: Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy.

Description: The suspensor in the majority of angiosperms is an evolutionally conserved embryonic structure functioning as a conduit that connects ovule tissues with the embryo proper for nutrients and growth factors flux. This is the first study serving the purpose of investigating the correlation between suspensor types and plasmodesmata (PD), by the ultrastructure of this organ in respect of its full development. The special attention is paid to PD in representatives of Crassulaceae genera: Sedum, Aeonium, Monanthes, Aichryson and Echeveria. The contribution of the suspensor in transporting nutrients to the embryo was confirmed by the basal cell structure of the suspensor which produced, on the micropylar side of all genera investigated, a branched haustorium protruding into the surrounding ovular tissue and with wall ingrowths typically associated with cell transfer. The cytoplasm of the basal cell was rich in endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, dictyosomes, specialized plastids, microtubules, microbodies and lipid droplets. The basal cell sustained a symplasmic connection with endosperm and neighboring suspensor cells. Our results indicated the dependence of PD ultrastructure on the type of suspensor development: (i) simple PD are assigned to an uniseriate filamentous suspensor and (ii) PD with an electron-dense material are formed in a multiseriate suspensor. The occurrence of only one or both types of PD seems to be specific for the species but not for the genus. Indeed, in the two tested species of Sedum (with the distinct uniseriate/multiseriate suspensors), a diversity in the structure of PD depends on the developmental pattern of the suspensor. In all other genera (with the multiseriate type of development of the suspensor), the one type of electron-dense PD was observed.

Description: Introduction: Revised prognostic scoring system R-ISS (standard ISS plus cytogenetic changes) has been introduced as a possible tool for evaluation of patients with multiple myeloma. This system is based on pooled data from various clinical trials but has not been validated in patients´ population outside the clinical trial setting. Aim: To evaluate clinical relevance of R-ISS in real life population of multiple myeloma patients. Methods: Registry of monoclonal gammopathies (RMG) was established in 2007 and has become one of the flagship projects of the Czech Myeloma Group. The registry collects prospective data from patients with myeloma and other gammopathies (https://trials.cba.muni.cz/trialdb2/interface_forms/login_rmg.asp). Registry is regularly monitored and data are validated by an external monitor. Data from registry were retrieved to identify patients in whom all above mentioned parameters were available. These patients were then stratified according to R-ISS and TTP and OS were calculated as primary endpoints. Results: 555 patients (260 females, 295 males, median age 66 years) with multiple myeloma who had full set of necessary data available were identified. Median follow-up of this cohort was 22.2 months. 97 17.5% (97/555) patients were R-ISS stage I, 55.7% 309/555 were R-ISS stage II and 26.8% (149/555) patients were R-ISS III. Median overall survival was not reached for stage I, 3.9 years for stage II and 2.5 years for stage III. The differences were statistically significant (p

Description: Abstract 1872 Background: Bortezomib (Velcade) is one of the most effective treatment options in the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). In the Czech Republic, it has been available since 2004. Registry of monoclonal gammopathy (RMG) of the Czech Myeloma Group contains information of more than 90% of patients in the Czech Republic treated with novel drugs.Aims: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to verify the therapeutic efficacy and safety of bortezomib in the treatment of RRMM in the Czech Republic. Methods: Before inclusion to RMG, all persons signed the informed consent form. In total, 1469 MM patients treated with bortezomib were evaluated from the RMG between June 2004 and December 2011.A total of 51.5% (750/1469) RRMM patients were analyzed with follow-up ≥6 months from the start of first administration of bortezomib. 30.6% (450/1469) patients with newly diagnosed MM were excluded from the analysis as well as 18.2% (267/1469) with a short follow-up. Evaluation of treatment response was performed according to the IMWG criteria. Median patient age was 65 years (range 33.9–88.1), median time since starting therapy was 21.5 months (range 6.1– 86.2), median number of previous treatments was 3.0 (range 1.0–8.0). In total, 92% (690/750) patients finished treatment of bortezomib (cycles length 21–28 days with application on days 1, 4, 8,11 or 1, (4), 8, 15 for frail patients). Median number of bortezomib cycles delivered was 6 (0.5–15.5). Results: Assessment of therapeutic response was possible in 92% (690/750) of treated patients. Overall response (ORR) in 57.5% (397/690) patients including 3% sCR, 8% CR, 20.3% VGPR, 26.2% PR. Stable disease was confirmed in 11.4% (79/690) patients and 22.5% (155/690) patients had progressive disease. In 50.1% of responders, first response (≥MR; defined as a ≥25% decrease in the serum MIg) occurred within the first cycle. At the second cycle, 24.2% of responders started to respond. Median time to progression (TTP) for all responders was 12.4 months. Median overall survival after starting bortezomib therapy (OS) was 32.3 months for all responders. Altogether, 692 adverse events (AEs) were documented. The most frequent AEs were: anemia in 62% of patients (462/750); severity of anemia was distributed as follows: 33.3% (250/750) cases of grade 1, 28.3% (212/750) cases of grade 2. Thrombocytopenia grade 3 and 4 was seen in 21.5% (161/750) of patients. Pre-existing peripheral neuropathy (PNP) grade 1–2 was presented in 25.1% (191/750) of patients at the start of bortezomib treatment. After treatment of bortezomib, PNP could be documented in 59.3% (445/750) cases with 16% (71/445) cases of grade 3 and 0.7% (3/445) cases of grade 4 PNP. In subanalysis, groups of patients were compared with relapsed patients who were treated with bortezomib in the second, third or greater-line of therapy. Among these three groups, there were significant differences in the evaluation of ORR (59.8% vs. 53.4% vs. 46.8%, p=0.022), as well as the sCR+CR was dependent on the number of previous treatment lines (15.6% vs 7.3% vs. 1.4%; p

Description: Background:Subcutaneous (SC) application of bortezomib has been recently introduced as a new application route in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The results of an international randomized phase III trial confirmed that SC application of bortezomib is not inferior to intravenous (IV) route, with similar response rates and improved toxicity profile. Our aim was to confirm the results on a larger cohort of patients treated with IV or SC bortezomib in 2-year period within the Czech Myeloma Group. Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 262 patients with MM treated with bortezomib based regimens during 2012-2013 in the Czech Republic. In total, there were 177 patients in the IV arm and 85 patients in the SC arm. Patients undergoing high-dosed chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) were assessed separately (N = 99). There were 164 patients treated in the first line setting and 98 patients in relapse/progression of MM. The patients received up to eight 28-day cycles of bortezomib-based regimen with bortezomib dose 1.3mg/m2. The regimens used were following: CVD (cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, dexamethasone) in 58.2%/60.0%, VD (bortezomib, dexamethasone) in 10.7%/9.4%, BDD (bortezomib, doxorubicin, dexamethasone) in 9.6%/14.2%, VMP (bortezomib, melphalan, prednisone) in 6.0%/9.0%, bortezomib monotherapy in 1.1%/1.2%, BBD (bortezomib, bendamustine, dexamethasone) in 1.1%/2.4%, BP (bortezomib, prednisone) in 0%/1.6%, and other in 13.6%/2.4%. In order to reduce neurological toxicities, most of the patients received bortezomib once weekly. In both IV and SC arms we assessed the demographics and baseline characteristics, response rates and toxicities. For statistical estimation we used Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test at p 〈 0.05. Results:There were mild differences in the age and gender between IV and SC arms (median age 71.3 vs 67.9 years, p = 0.024; M/F ratio 1.4:1 vs 0.6:1, p = 0.007), other variables were without significant difference, including laboratory parameters (M-protein, hemoglobin, thrombocyte count, serum calcium level, albumin, creatinine, beta-2-microglobulin, lactate dehydrogenase, CRP), line of chemotherapy (first line, second line, third line and fourth and higher line) and therapeutic regimen used. Patients received median of 6 cycles in the IV group and 5 cycles in the SC group. The rates of response were similar in both, IV and SC arms with overall response rate (ORR) 71.7% vs 70.7%, complete remissions (CR) including stringent complete remissions (sCR) in 13.9% vs 8.6%, very good partial remissions (VGPR) in 30.8% vs 34.5% and partial remissions (PR) in 27% vs 27.6%. Toxicities were present in most patients (up to 99%), prevailing grade 1-2 toxicities, the most frequent grade ≥3 toxicities were anemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, with no significant differences between IV and SC group. There were no significant differences in the rate of peripheral neuropathy (PN). PN of any grade was present in 48% patients in the IV arm and in 41% in the SC arm. PN grade ≥2 was present in 20% vs 18% and PN grade ≥3 was present in 6% vs 4% (p = 0.782). Conclusions:Subcutaneous application of bortezomib has similar therapeutic outcomes and toxicity profile as intravenous route of application. In our cohort there was no difference in the incidence of PN, suggesting that PN is dose dependent and might be reduced by lower intensity schemes rather than by the route of administration. Supported by the grants IGA MZ CR NT 14393, NT 12215-4/2011, NT 14400, NT12451-5, NT 12215-4, and the grant MSM0021622434. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.