Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Lipid Carriers in Severe Allergic Inflammation.

The resolution of inflammation is a complex process that is critical for removing inflammatory cells and restoring tissue function. The dysregulation of these mechanisms leads to chronic inflammatory disorders. Platelets, essential cells for preserving homeostasis, are thought to play a role in inflammation as they are a source of immunomodulatory factors.

Evaluation of convalescent plasma versus standard of care for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients: study protocol for a phase 2 randomized, open-label, controlled, multicenter trial.

Background: COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and causes substantial morbidity and mortality. At the time this clinical trial was planned, there were no available vaccine or therapeutic agents with proven efficacy, but the severity of the condition prompted the use of several pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. It has long been hypothesized that the use of convalescent plasma (CP) from infected patients who have developed an effective immune response is likely to be an option for the treatment of patients with a variety of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) of viral etiology.

Understanding Platelets in Infectious and Allergic Lung Diseases.

Emerging evidence suggests that platelets, cytoplasmic fragments derived from megakaryocytes, can no longer be considered just as mediators in hemostasis and coagulation processes, but as key modulators of immunity. Platelets have received increasing attention as the emergence of new methodologies has allowed the characterization of their components and functions in the immune continuum. Platelet activation in infectious and allergic lung diseases has been well documented and associated with bacterial infections reproduced in several animal models of pulmonary bacterial infections.

A paired trial comparing mononuclear cell collection in two machines for further inactivation through an inline or offline extracorporeal photopheresis procedure.

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an effective treatment. However, protocols differ widely, and some questions, such as the number of cells to be collected or the number of ECP treatment days per treatment cycle, are still unsolved. The aim of this study was to compare a multistep (offline) (Spectra Optia and Macogenic G2) against an integrated (inline) ECP system (Therakos Cellex system) with respect to mononuclear cell (MNC) collection.

Biallelic ATM alterations detected at diagnosis identify a subset of treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with reduced overall survival similar to patients with p53 deletion.

The prognostic impact of biallelic ATM abnormalities (ATM mutation and concurrent 11q deletion) remains unknown. We studied ATM, BIRC3, SF3B1, and NOTCH1 genes in 118 treatment-naïve CLL patients at diagnosis. Patients with biallelic ATM alteration had a similar time to first treatment (TTFT) and shorter overall survival (OS) compared with patients with isolated 11q deletion and shorter TTFT and OS when compared to patients with wild-type ATM.

Von Willebrand Factor Deficiency Corrected by Lung Transplantation.

Background: In experimental models with von Willebrand disease pigs, plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) was significantly increased after lung transplantation because lung endothelial cells strongly express vWF. However, these findings have not been confirmed in human beings.

Methods: A 26-year-old man with mild vWF deficiency (FvW:antigen 39 IU/dL; FvW:ristocetin cofactor activity 44 IU/dL; factor VIII 99%; normal multimeric plasma vWF pattern) was referred to our institution and underwent bilateral lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis.

The efficacy of photochemical treatment with amotosalen HCl and ultraviolet A (INTERCEPT) for inactivation of Trypanosoma cruzi in pooled buffy-coat platelets.

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of photochemical treatment (PCT) with amotosalen and ultraviolet A (UVA) light to inactivate Trypanosoma cruzi in contaminated platelet (PLT) components.

Study Design And Methods: Fifteen pools of buffy-coat PLTs (BC-PLTs) were inoculated with approximately 5 x 10(3) to 5 x 10(5) per mL of viable T. cruzi of the G, Tulahuen (T), or Y strains.

Hematomas in multicomponent apheresis: searching for related factors.

Background: The objective of this study was to identify donation variables that could be related to the development of hematoma during multicomponent apheresis collections (MACs).

Study Design And Methods: This is an observational retrospective study where 1375 donors donated 5177 MACs during a 2-year period with two different machines (Amicus Crescendo [AC], Baxter Healthcare Corp.; and Trima Accel [TA], Gambro BCT).

A randomized crossover trial comparing three plateletpheresis machines.

Background: The aim of the study was to compare three different apheresis machines with the same donors regarding the processing time required to obtain a 3.5 x 10(11) platelet (PLT) dose and acceptance by donors.

Study Design And Methods: A randomized crossover trial was performed to evaluate the differences between the Amicus Crescendo (Baxter Biotech Corp.

A comparison of PLT collections from two apheresis devices.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare two apheresis devices (COBE Trima and COBE Spectra, Gambro BCT).

Study Design And Methods: The study compares 103 Trima procedures with 61 Spectra procedures. The comparison of single-donor PLTs (SDPs) separation parameters and anticoagulant infusion to the donors were the primary targets.