The impact of cryoprotectant exposure time on post-thaw viability of autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells and leukocyte subpopulations.

Although the use of cryoprotectant dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is the gold standard in cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells, it is well known that it has a negative effect on cell viability. The aim of this prospective study was to examine how the length of post-thaw exposure to DMSO affects the cell viability and stability of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) samples. Additionally, the effects of donor type and pre-cryopreservation storage time on post-thaw viability during the stability study were evaluated.

Vascular access for autologous peripheral blood stem cells collection by large volume leukapheresis: Single center experience.

Introduction: Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvesting requires reliable and safe vascular access. In our institution, a change of practice was implemented and the central venous catheter (CVC) placement for all autologous PBSC collections was abandoned in favor of a careful evaluation of peripheral venous access (PVA) for each individual patient. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the rate of patients with adequate peripheral veins for autologous PBSC collection and compare patient characteristics, collection efficacy, and complication rate between patients with PVA and CVC.

Variable recovery of cryopreserved hematopoietic stem cells and leukocyte subpopulations in leukapheresis products.

Introduction: Due to the expansion of cell therapy using not only haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) but also other leukocyte subpopulations, the loss of these cells in cryopreserved apheresis products needs to be evaluated. Various factors that could negatively affect post-thaw recovery, such as leukapheresis product characteristics, storage time and cryopreservation protocols have been identified.

Methods: The post-thaw recovery of HSCs, lymphocytes, NK cells and monocytes, as well as the factors that could adversely affect it were analysed in autologous and allogeneic leukapheresis products.

36 Cornea microbiology contamination rate depending on post mortem time, retrospective analysis at croatian tissue and cell bank, UHC Zagreb.

Background: Corneas procured post mortem are at risk of microbiology contamination, therefore decontamination procedures before storage, aseptic techniques during processing and antimicrobials used in the storage medium are routinely used. Despite that, corneas are discarded due to microbiology contamination. According to professional guidelines, corneas can be procured preferably within 24 hours after cardiac arrest but up to 48 hours.

Changes in the incidence of transfusion reactions in hematological patients over the past 30 years.

Background: Patients with hematological diseases are polytransfused and often immunocompromised, therefore susceptible to transfusion reactions (TR). This study aims to document the incidence of TRs in adult hematological patients and assess the effect of changes in the production of blood components and transfusion practice on their occurrence.

Study Design And Methods: Retrospective observational analysis of TRs reported from 1993 to 2019 was performed.

The role of serological and molecular testing in the diagnostics and transfusion treatment of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is a rare autoimmune disease characterised by haemolysis associated with the presence of immunoglobulins and/or components of the complement system on red blood cells (RBCs). It is classified into warm or cold antibody-mediated AIHA according to the temperature at which autoantibodies bind optimally to RBCs. Clinicians should be familiar with the procedural tests used for a complete laboratory investigation of AIHA.

Utilisation patterns of group O red blood cell transfusion by ABO and D non-identical recipients in large academic hospital.

Objectives: Several studies have raised concerns that transfusion of O red blood cells (RBCs) to ABO and D non-identical recipients can intensify group O inventory shortages. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyse particular clinical indications and polices responsible for O RBCs use by ABO and D non-identical recipients, as well as to assess the impact of this practice on the overall utilisation of O RBCs.

Material And Methods: Data of all transfused RBCs from 2014 to 2018 were extracted from the comprehensive database of transfusion service.

Cost Analysis of Transfusion Therapy in Coronary Artery Surgery.

Background:  In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), wide variability in transfusion rate (7.8% to 92.8%) raises the question of the amount of unnecessary transfusions.

Performance prediction algorithm for autologous PBSC collection in adults and pediatric patients using large volume leukapheresis.

Background And Objectives: The number of CD34+ cells collected in apheresis procedures depends mainly on the collection efficiency of the device and the blood volume processed. Large volume leukapheresis (LVL) can improve CD34+ cell yield and has previously been investigated using the COBE Spectra device (Terumo BCT, USA).

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of LVL performance in patients undergoing continuous mononuclear cell collection (CMNC) using the new Spectra Optia apheresis system (Terumo BCT, USA) at the University Hospital Center, Zagreb, from March 2016 to September 2016.

Haemolysis, pure red cell aplasia and red cell antibody formation associated with major and bidirectional ABO incompatible haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Acute and delayed haemolysis, alloimmunisation and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) are potential complications after ABO incompatible haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aims of this study were to investigate acute and delayed red blood cell (RBC) antibody-associated complications, including haemolysis, PRCA and alloimmunisation in major and bidirectional ABO incompatible HSCT.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively examined the transplant courses of 36 recipients of bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells from ABO incompatible donors and evaluated the current practice of performing plasmapheresis in patients with higher isoagglutinin titres.

Large volume leukapheresis is efficient and safe even in small children up to 15 kg body weight.

Background: The collection of peripheral blood stem cells, although now a routine procedure, is still a challenge in low body weight children because of specific technical and clinical issues. For paediatric patients it is crucial to obtain an adequate number of CD34+ cells with the minimum number of procedures: this can be done using large volume leukapheresis (LVL).

Materials And Methods: We analysed the efficacy and safety of 54 autologous LVL performed in 50 children (33 [66%] males and 17 [34%] females), median age 2 years (range, 1-5) and median body weight 12 kg (range, 6-15).

Identification of the novel HLA-A*01:200 allele by sequence-based typing in a Croatian individual.

The new allele HLA-A*01:200 differs from A*01:12 by four nucleotide substitutions in exon 3.

[Extracorporeal photopheresis in treatment of chronic graft versus host disease].

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an immunomodulatory therapy which has been used in the treatment of chronic GVHD (cGVHD). ECP involves separation of the mononuclear cells with leukapheresis, followed by ex vivo administration of 8-methoxypsoralen and UV-A radiation and reinfusion to the patient. Aim of the study was to evaluate clinical and immunomodulatory effect of ECP procedures in patients with cGVHD.

[Mesenchymal stem cells: immunomodulatory properties and clinical application].

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent nonhematopoietic cells that were first identified in bone marrow. Clinical interest for MSCs was initiated by the observation that MSCs are immunoprivileged cells that display immunomodulatory properties in vitro. Ex vivo expanded MSCs have therefore become a new type of cellular therapy in development with a wide range of potential clinical applications.

Large volume leukapheresis: Efficacy and safety of processing patient's total blood volume six times.

Large-volume leukapheresis (LVL) differs from standard leukapheresis by increased blood flow and an altered anticoagulation regimen. An open issue is to what degree a further increase in processed blood volume is reasonable in terms of higher yields and safety. In 30 LVL performed in patients with hematologic malignancies, 6 total blood volumes were processed.

[Peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell collection].

Summary. Peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (PBSC) have numerous advatages in comparison with traditionally used bone marrow. PBSC collection by leukapheresis procedure is simpler and better tolerated than bone marrow harvest.

[Cord blood banking].

Transplantation of cord blood stem cells is a new and rapidly developing area. It has been used as a treatment for many diseases such as hematologic malignancies, primary immune deficiencies and metabolic diseases. Recently, stem cells have been used in regenerative medicine, particularly in neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.

[Collection of hematopoietic progenitor cells from healthy donors].

Allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplantation is an established therapy for many hematologic disorders. HPCs may be collected from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood. In order to minimize the risk for healthy HPC donors, thorough investigation is required before donation.

Toxicity related to autologous peripheral blood haematopoietic progenitor cell infusion is associated with number of granulocytes in graft, gender and diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

Background And Objectives: We prospectively evaluated the infusion-related toxicity of autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) in 215 patients with haematologic malignancies or solid tumours.

Materials And Methods: PBPCs were collected by apheresis after mobilization with chemotherapy and/or granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The grafts were cryopreserved in 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and stored in liquid nitrogen.

Three new high-prevalence antigens in the Cromer blood group system.

Background: The Cromer blood group system consists of nine high-prevalence and three low-prevalence antigens carried on decay-accelerating factor (DAF). This report describes three new Cromer high-prevalence antigens, named ZENA, CROV, and CRAM.

Study Design And Methods: Sequence analyses were performed on DNA from three probands whose serum samples each contained an alloantibody to a high-prevalence antigen in the Cromer blood group system.

[Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease].

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is rare but usually fatal complication of transfusion of any blood component containing viable T lymphocytes. TA-GVHD manifests as an acute syndrome characterized by the dysfunction of the skin, liver, gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow. The development of bone marrow aplasia increases the risk for hemorrhage and infection and most patients die within 1 month of transfusion.