Perfluorocarbons cause thrombocytopenia, changes in RBC morphology and death in a baboon model of systemic inflammation.

A perfluorocarbon (PFC) investigated for treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) delivers oxygen to support brain function, but causes transient thrombocytopenia. TBI can cause acute inflammation with resulting thrombocytopenia; an interaction between the PFC effects and TBI inflammation might exacerbate thrombocytopenia. Therefore, PFC effects on platelet (PLT) function and hemostasis in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model of inflammation in the baboon were studied.

Similar hemostatic responses to hypovolemia induced by hemorrhage and lower body negative pressure reveal a hyperfibrinolytic subset of non-human primates.

Background: To study central hypovolemia in humans, lower body negative pressure (LBNP) is a recognized alternative to blood removal (HEM). While LBNP mimics the cardiovascular responses of HEM in baboons, similarities in hemostatic responses to LBNP and HEM remain unknown in this species.

Methods: Thirteen anesthetized baboons were exposed to progressive hypovolemia by HEM and, four weeks later, by LBNP.

Is Skin the Most Allogenic Tissue in Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation and a Valid Monitor of the Deeper Tissues?

Since the 1960s, skin has been considered to be the most allogenic tissue in humans. This tenet has remained unquestioned in the reconstructive transplant arena, which has led to skin serving as the sole monitor for early rejection in vascularized composite allotransplantation. In this article, the authors question the validity of this belief.

A Flow Dynamic Rationale for Accelerated Vascularized Composite Allotransplant Rejection.

Background: From 1996 to 2000, Diefenbeck et al. carried out six knee vascularized composite allotransplants. The allotransplants were composed of bone, soft tissue, and femoral vascular pedicle (25 to 40 cm).

A Hyperbaric Warm Perfusion System Preserves Tissue Composites Ex vivo and Delays the Onset of Acute Rejection.

Background:  Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) precipitates acute rejection of vascularized composite allografts (VCA). Hyperbaric preservation of tissues ex vivo, between harvest and revascularization, may reduce IRI and mitigate acute rejection of VCA.

Methods:  A porcine heterotopic musculocutaneous gracilis flap model was used.

Platelet and coagulation function before and after burn and smoke inhalation injury in sheep.

Background: Smoke inhalation and burn injury remain a major source of morbidity and mortality. There is known dysregulation of hemostasis in burn patients, but either hypercoagulation or hypocoagulation states are reported. Sheep are an established animal model for studying burn pathology and provide robust data on hemostatic function at baseline and after injury.

Traumatic Hemothorax Blood Contains Elevated Levels of Microparticles that are Prothrombotic but Inhibit Platelet Aggregation.

Objectives: Autotransfusion of shed blood from traumatic hemothorax is an attractive option for resuscitation of trauma patients in austere environments. However, previous analyses revealed that shed hemothorax (HX) blood is defibrinated, thrombocytopenic, and contains elevated levels of D-dimer. Mixing studies with normal pooled plasma demonstrated hypercoagulability, evoking concern for potentiation of acute traumatic coagulopathy.

Low-Dose Heparin Anticoagulation During Extracorporeal Life Support for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Conscious Sheep.

Background: Over 32% of burned battlefield causalities develop trauma-induced hypoxic respiratory failure, also known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Recently, 9 out of 10 US combat soldiers' survived life-threatening trauma-induced ARDS supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a portable form of cardiopulmonary bypass. Unfortunately, the size, incidence of coagulation complications, and the need for systematic anticoagulation for traditional ECMO devices have prevented widespread use of this lifesaving technology.

Silica microspheres are superior to polystyrene for microvesicle analysis by flow cytometry.

Background: Cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) in biological fluids are studied for their potential role in pathological conditions. Flow cytometry is used to characterize MVs. Polystyrene microspheres are often used in flow cytometry to distinguish MV from cells by setting a 1-μm MV gate in a side-scatter (SSC) vs.

Severe Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis is associated with elevation of pentraxin 3.

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is among the most prevalent bacterial pathogens associated with trauma-related wound and bloodstream infections. Although septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation have been reported following fulminant A. baumannii sepsis, little is known about the protective host immune response to this pathogen.

Primary hemostatic capacity of whole blood: a comprehensive analysis of pathogen reduction and refrigeration effects over time.

Background: Whole blood (WB) has been used in combat since World War I as it is readily available and replaces every element of shed blood. Component therapy has become standard; however, recent military successes with WB resuscitation have revived the debate regarding wider WB use. Characterization of optimal WB storage is needed.

TLR-dependent control of Francisella tularensis infection and host inflammatory responses.

Background: Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia and is classified as a Category A select agent. Recent studies have implicated TLR2 as a critical element in the host protective response to F. tularensis infection, but questions remain about whether TLR2 signaling dominates the response in all circumstances and with all species of Francisella and whether F.