Proteomic Analysis of Human Serum Proteins Adsorbed onto Collagen Barrier Membranes.

Collagen barrier membranes are frequently used in guided tissue and bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to analyze the signature of human serum proteins adsorbed onto collagen membranes using a novel protein extraction method combined with mass spectrometry. Native porcine-derived collagen membranes (Geistlich Bio-Gide, Wolhusen, Switzerland) were exposed to pooled human serum in vitro and, after thorough washing, subjected to protein extraction either in conjunction with protein enrichment or via a conventional surfactant-based method.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis: Long-term follow-up data from Norway.

Background: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potent treatment option for patients with aggressive relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objective: To evaluate long-term outcomes of HSCT in MS.

Methods: National retrospective single-center observational study of patients with aggressive RRMS that underwent HSCT in Norway from January 2015 to January 2018.

The use of mesenchymal stromal cell secretome to enhance guided bone regeneration in comparison with leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin.

Objectives: Secretomes of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) represent a novel strategy for growth-factor delivery for tissue regeneration. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of adjunctive use of conditioned media of bone-marrow MSC (MSC-CM) with collagen barrier membranes vs. adjunctive use of conditioned media of leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF-CM), a current growth-factor therapy, for guided bone regeneration (GBR).

Proteomic Analysis of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Secretome in Comparison to Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin.

Secretomes of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are emerging as a novel growth factor (GF)-based strategy for periodontal and bone regeneration. The objective of this study was to compare the secretome of human bone marrow MSC (BMSC) to that of leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF), an established GF-based therapy, in the context of wound healing and regeneration. Conditioned media from human BMSCs (BMSC-CM) and L-PRF (LPRF-CM) were subjected to quantitative proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

Convalescent plasma from Norwegian blood donors to treat COVID-19.

Background: At the start of the pandemic, the Norwegian Directorate of Health and Norwegian blood banks initiated the production of COVID-19 convalescent plasma within the framework of clinical studies. In this article we describe the blood donors who participated.

Material And Method: Blood donors who had recovered from COVID-19 were recruited to donate single donor plasma for the purpose of patient treatment.

COVID-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma.

Background: In Norway, treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma has been given through the NORPLASMA project. The treatment was initially offered to critically ill patients after an individual assessment, but from December 2020, the indication was limited to critically ill, immunocompromised patients. In this article we describe clinical characteristics, comorbidity and mortality in patients who received convalescent plasma in these two periods.

In vitro quality of cold and delayed cold-stored platelet concentrates from interim platelet units during storage for 21 days.

Background And Objectives: Based on previous success using apheresis platelets, we wanted to investigate the in vitro quality and platelet function in continuously cold-stored and delayed cold-stored platelet concentrates (PCs) from interim platelet units (IPUs) produced by the Reveos system.

Materials And Methods: We used a pool-and-split design to prepare 18 identical pairs of PCs. One unit was stored unagitated and refrigerated after production on day 1 (cold-stored).

Training of medical students in the use of emergency whole blood collection and transfusion in the framework of a civilian walking blood.

Introduction: In this report, we describe a training program in emergency whole blood collection and transfusion for medical students at the University of Bergen. The overall aim of the program is to improve the availability of early balanced blood transfusion for the treatment of patients with life-threatening bleeding in rural health care services.

Study Design And Methods: The voluntary training program provides the knowledge needed to practice emergency whole blood transfusions and understand the system for emergency whole blood collection in the framework of a civilian walking blood bank (WBB).

A phase I prospective, non-randomized trial of autologous dendritic cell-based cryoimmunotherapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an immunologically cold disease with dismal outcomes. Cryoablation destroys cancer tissue, releases tumor-associated antigens and creates a pro-inflammatory microenvironment, while dendritic cells (DCs) activate immune responses through processing of antigens. Immunotherapy combinations could enhance the anti-tumor efficacy.

Functionalizing Collagen Membranes with MSC-Conditioned Media Promotes Guided Bone Regeneration in Rat Calvarial Defects.

Functionalizing biomaterials with conditioned media (CM) from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) is a promising strategy for enhancing the outcomes of guided bone regeneration (GBR). This study aimed to evaluate the bone regenerative potential of collagen membranes (MEM) functionalized with CM from human bone marrow MSC (MEM-CM) in critical size rat calvarial defects. MEM-CM prepared via soaking (CM-SOAK) or soaking followed by lyophilization (CM-LYO) were applied to critical size rat calvarial defects.

Implementation of a low-titre whole blood transfusion program in a civilian helicopter emergency medical service.

Background: Early balanced transfusion is associated with improved outcome in haemorrhagic shock patients. This study describes the implementation and evaluates the safety of a whole blood transfusion program in a civilian helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS).

Methods: This prospective observational study was performed over a 5-year period at HEMS-Bergen, Norway.

Brief communication: Effects of conditioned media from human platelet lysate cultured MSC on osteogenic cell differentiation .

Culturing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in human platelet lysate (HPL) supplemented media can enhance their osteogenic differentiation potential. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that conditioned media (CM) derived from HPL-cultured MSC also have pro-osteogenic effects. Pooled CM was prepared from HPL-cultured human bone marrow MSC (BMSC) of multiple donors and applied on BMSC of different donors (than those used for CM preparation), with or without additional supplementation [HPL, fetal bovine serum (FBS)] and osteogenic stimulation.

In vitro quality and hemostatic function of cold-stored CPDA-1 whole blood after repeated transient exposure to 28°C storage temperature.

Background: Blood products are frequently exposed to room temperature or higher for longer periods than permitted by policy. We aimed to investigate if this resulted in a measurable effect on common quality parameters and viscoelastic hemostatic function of cold stored CPDA-1 whole blood.

Study Design And Methods: 450 ml of whole blood from 16 O Rh(D) positive donors was collected in 63 ml of CPDA-1 and stored cold.

Implementation of a dual platelet inventory in a tertiary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic enabling cold-stored apheresis platelets for treatment of actively bleeding patients.

Background: To increase preparedness and mitigate the risk of platelet shortage without increasing the number of collections, we introduced a dual platelet inventory with cold-stored platelets (CSP) with 14-days shelf life for actively bleeding patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study Design And Methods: We collected apheresis platelet concentrates with blood type O or A. All patients receiving CSP units were included in a quality registry.

A whole blood based resuscitation strategy in civilian medical services: Experience from a Norwegian hospital in the period 2017-2020.

Background: Civilian and military guidelines recommend early balanced transfusion to patients with life-threatening bleeding. Low titer group O whole blood was introduced as the primary blood product for resuscitation of massive hemorrhage at Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, in December 2017. In this report, we describe the whole blood program and present results from the first years of routine use.

How do I implement a whole blood-based blood preparedness program in a small rural hospital?

Civilian and military guidelines recommend balanced transfusion to patients with life-threatening bleeding. Early start of transfusion has shown improved survival. Thus, a balanced blood inventory must be available in all levels of health care to ensure early stabilization and damage control resuscitation of patients with bleeding.

A Pilot Trial of Platelets Stored Cold versus at Room Temperature for Complex Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Background: This pilot trial focused on feasibility and safety to provide preliminary data to evaluate the hemostatic potential of cold-stored platelets (2° to 6°C) compared with standard room temperature-stored platelets (20° to 24°C) in adult patients undergoing complex cardiothoracic surgery. This study aimed to assess feasibility and to provide information for future pivotal trials.

Methods: A single center two-stage exploratory pilot study was performed on adult patients undergoing elective or semiurgent complex cardiothoracic surgery.

[A patient with severe COVID-19 treated with convalescent plasma].

Background: COVID-19 can lead to life-threatening disease. While awaiting vaccines or documented specific therapeutic agents, several alternative treatment options are under investigation. This is a case report of the first COVID-19 patient treated with convalescent plasma in Norway.

Cold-stored whole blood in a Norwegian emergency helicopter service: an observational study on storage conditions and product quality.

Background: Increasing numbers of emergency medical service agencies and hospitals are developing the capability to administer blood products to patients with hemorrhagic shock. Cold-stored whole blood (WB) is the only single product available to prehospital providers who aim to deliver a balanced resuscitation strategy. However, there are no data on the safety and in vitro characteristics of prehospital stored WB.

Cold-stored leukoreduced CPDA-1 whole blood: in vitro quality and hemostatic properties.

Background: Some jurisdictions require leukoreduction of cellular blood components. The only whole blood collection set with a platelet-saving filter uses citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) as storage solution. Substituting CPD with citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) increases shelf life from 21 to 35 days.

Environmental pollutants in blood donors: The multicentre Norwegian donor study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure blood concentrations of environmental pollutants in Norwegian donors and evaluate the risk of pollutant exposure through blood transfusions.

Background: Transfused blood may be a potential source of exposure to heavy metals and organic pollutants and presents a risk to vulnerable patient groups such as premature infants.

Methods/materials: Donors were randomly recruited from three Norwegian blood banks: in Bergen, Tromsø and Kirkenes.

Safety and efficacy of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis in Norway.

Background: Hematopoietic stem cell treatment (HSCT) is a promising treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS), but detailed safety and efficacy measures are still scarce.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HSCT in MS.

Methods: Retrospective single-center observational study of all MS patients that underwent HSCT in Norway during January 2015 to January 2018.

The immunology of the periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome; what can the tonsils reveal. A literature review.

Objectives: Tonsillectomy (TE) or adenotonsillectomy (ATE) may have a beneficial effect on the clinical course in children with the periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome. However, an immunological reason for this effect remains unknown. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the immunological role of the tonsils in the PFAPA syndrome.

Pretreatment of Glioblastoma with Bortezomib Potentiates Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity through TRAIL/DR5 Mediated Apoptosis and Prolongs Animal Survival.

Natural killer (NK) cells are potential effectors in anti-cancer immunotherapy; however only a subset potently kills cancer cells. Here, we examined whether pretreatment of glioblastoma (GBM) with the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib (BTZ), might sensitize tumour cells to NK cell lysis by inducing stress antigens recognized by NK-activating receptors. Combination immunotherapy of NK cells with BTZ was studied in vitro against GBM cells and in a GBM-bearing mouse model.