Logistics of managing a trauma whole blood inventory in a civilian level 1 trauma center.

Background: Institutional data on initiating and maintaining a low-titer O positive whole blood (LTOWB) inventory for the civilian trauma sector may help other institutions start a LTOWB program. This study from a level 1 trauma center with a hospital-based donor center highlights challenges faced during the collection, maintenance, and utilization of LTOWB.

Study Design And Methods: Male O positive donors with low (≤1:100) anti-A and anti-B antibody titers were recruited for LTOWB collection.

Different factors limit early- and late-season windows of opportunity for monarch development.

Seasonal windows of opportunity are intervals within a year that provide improved prospects for growth, survival, or reproduction. However, few studies have sufficient temporal resolution to examine how multiple factors combine to constrain the seasonal timing and extent of developmental opportunities. Here, we document seasonal changes in milkweed ()-monarch () interactions with high resolution throughout the last three breeding seasons prior to a precipitous single-year decline in the western monarch population.

A pilot study of stored low titer group O whole blood + component therapy versus component therapy only for civilian trauma patients.

Background: This pilot assessed transfusion requirements during resuscitation with whole blood followed by standard component therapy (CT) versus CT alone, during a change in practice at a large urban Level I trauma center.

Methods: This was a single-center prospective cohort pilot study. Male trauma patients received up to 4 units of cold-stored low anti-A, anti-B group O whole blood (LTOWB) as initial resuscitation followed by CT as needed (LTOWB + CT).

Resident Work Hour Restrictions and Change Management: A Cautionary Tale.

Residents are a significant part of coverage in many hospitals. Resident associations are negotiating work hour limits to prevent fatigue-induced medical errors. Our intensive care unit experienced an unexpected resident shortage and used the opportunity to trial a shift schedule for one month.

Measuring trade-offs that matter: assessing the impact of a new electronic cross-match policy on the turnaround time and the cross-match workload efficiency.

Background: Our traditional cross-match (XM) policy generated a significant number of XM units that were never issued. To minimize the unnecessary XM workload, we proposed a new policy where orders eligible for the electronic XM (EXM) are pended until orders to issue red blood cells (RBCs) are received. To address concerns that this new policy might unduly delay blood availability, we conducted a study to assess whether the new policy was noninferior to the traditional policy with regard to the turnaround time (TAT).

Beta-catenin expression is prognostic of improved non-small cell lung cancer survival.

Introduction: The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency and prognostic significance of beta-catenin expression in a cohort of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods: Tissue microarrays were constructed using clinically annotated formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples from individuals diagnosed with NSCLC who underwent surgical resection with curative intent and had beta-catenin expression status determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results: Negative beta-catenin expression was seen in 28% (103/370) of NSCLC cases and was prognostic of a reduced overall patient survival (P = .

Immunoglobulin M red blood cell alloantibodies are frequently adsorbed by rabbit erythrocyte stroma.

Background: Rabbit erythrocyte stroma (RESt, Immucor) adsorption is often used to remove cold autoantibodies from patient samples to facilitate detection of underlying alloantibodies. However, reports in the literature show that adsorption of clinically significant alloantibodies can occur. A 2006 study by Storry and colleagues suggested that immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies are adsorbed by RESt regardless of antigen specificity.

Polymorphisms in the VEGFA and VEGFR-2 genes and neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Genetic factors influence an individual's risk for developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Previous studies on the potential genetic link between AMD and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key regulator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability, have yielded conflicting results. In the present case-control association study, we aimed to determine whether VEGF or its main receptor tyrosine kinase VEGFR-2 is genetically associated with neovascular AMD.

Visual outcomes with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for various posterior segment conditions.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 81 consecutive 23-gauge vitrectomy cases done by a single vitreoretinal surgeon for various posterior segment conditions was done. All surgery was performed using the two-step 23-gauge system developed by Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center.

Association of complement factor H and LOC387715 genotypes with response of exudative age-related macular degeneration to intravitreal bevacizumab.

Purpose: To investigate whether there is an association between complement factor H (CFH) or LOC387715 genotypes with response to treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Participants: The study cohort consisted of 86 patients being treated for neovascular AMD with bevacizumab alone.