Effect of concurrent pathogen reduction (amotosalen/UVA) and gamma/x-ray irradiation on biochemical characteristics of apheresis platelets in additive solution.

Background: Pathogen reduction (PR) may be used as an alternative to gamma or x-ray irradiation (I) to prevent transfusion associated graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD) if the pathogen reduction technology has been shown to inactivate residual lymphocytes. However, as I is considered the gold standard for reducing the risk of TA-GVHD, some centers continue to perform I in addition to PR. This study investigated the effect of concurrent pathogen reduction and irradiation (PR/I) on the biochemical characteristics of apheresis platelets at day 1, 5, and 7 of storage at room temperature.

Weekly transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) maintenance: a case series.

Objectives: To report an observational case series study of sustained, once-weekly continuation transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) provided with the aim of maintaining remission in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods: Once-weekly TMS treatments were provided to 7 patients (median age of 54 years) with chronic relapsing MDD: 4 of these patients entered the study in remission according to the six-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D6) and were followed for more than 12 months, and 3 patients entered the study in HAM-D6 partial remission/relapse and were followed for more than 6 months.

Results: All patients remained clinically well throughout the study.

Optimizing a fully automated and closed system process for red blood cell reduction of human bone marrow products.

Background Aims: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using bone marrow as the graft source is a common treatment for hematopoietic malignancies and disorders. For allogeneic transplants, processing of bone marrow requires the depletion of ABO-mismatched red blood cells (RBCs) to avoid transfusion reactions. Here the authors tested the use of an automated closed system for depleting RBCs from bone marrow and compared the results to a semi-automated platform that is more commonly used in transplant centers today.

An outcome-based review of an accredited Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) program: 25 years and counting.

Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) programs play an important role in preparing technologists to become leaders and contributors to the field of transfusion medicine through dedicated education and training. The SBB program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center has graduated 55 students since 1994 with an overall pass rate of 96 percent for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) SBB examination. Graduates hold positions in a variety of transfusion medicine-related fields, with hospitals, blood centers, and Immunohematology Reference Laboratories being the most common categories of employer.

Inhibition of blood group antibodies by soluble substances.

The presence of multiple alloantibodies or an antibody to a highprevalance antigen in a patient sample can pose challenges in antibody identification. The pattern of reactivity seen on an antibody panel may show various strengths of reactivity by different methods of testing or same strength of reactivity at one or more phases of testing. To ensure proper identification, multiple investigative tools may be used.

Flashback 1997: collection of hematopoietic progenitor cells by peripheral blood apheresis after stimulation with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor.

Two videos were produced in 1997 as educational material for patients and blood donor volunteers who considered undergoing hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) collection by peripheral blood apheresis. The 6 minute videos featured the discussion between a patient and a physician, also using animations for explanation, in English and in Spanish. The HPC collection by peripheral blood apheresis after stimulation with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a rather novel procedure at the time, has become a widely used procedure today.

Red blood cell sedimentation of Apheresis Granulocytes.

Sedimentation of Apheresis Granulocyte components removes red blood cells. It is used to increase the blood donor pool when blood group-compatible donors cannot be recruited for a patient because of a major ABO incompatibility or incompatible red blood cell antibodies in the recipient. Because granulocytes have little ABO and few other red blood cell antigens on their membrane, such incompatibility lies mostly with the contaminating red blood cells.

Perioperative experience of parents whose children undergo cardiac surgery: are we delivering?

Background Having children who require heart surgery is a complex and stressful experience for families ( Harvey et al 2013 , Re et al 2013 , Kosta et al 2015 ). The experience is high on the agenda of the NHS and is included in the Congenital Heart Disease Review Standards and Specifications ( NHS England 2015 ).

Critical Value Reporting in Transfusion Medicine: A Survey of Communication Practices in US Facilities.

Objectives: While critical value procedures have been adopted in most areas of the clinical laboratory, their use in transfusion medicine has not been reviewed in detail. The results of this study present a comprehensive overview of critical value reporting and communication practices in transfusion medicine in the United States.

Methods: A web-based survey was developed to collect data on the prevalence of critical value procedures and practices of communicating results.

Following the Rules Set by Accreditation Agencies and Governing Bodies to Maintain In-Compliance Status: Applying Critical Thinking Skills When Evaluating the Need for Change in the Clinical Laboratory.

Maintaining an in-compliance clinical laboratory takes continuous awareness and review of standards, regulations, and best practices. A strong quality assurance program and well informed leaders who maintain professional networks can aid in this necessary task. This article will discuss a process that laboratories can follow to interpret, understand, and comply with the rules and standards set by laboratory accreditation bodies.

They're Here! How to Prepare Your Blood Bank for Inspection.

The importance of an inspection ready blood bank cannot be overemphasized. Various agencies perform inspections to ensure that facilities are compliant with federal and state regulations, as well as with standards defined by professional organizations. Inspections may strike fear into the staff members of the organizations being inspected.

Analysis of the recovery of cryopreserved and thawed CD34+ and CD3+ cells collected for hematopoietic transplantation.

Background: Cryopreservation is often used to store cellular therapies, but little is known about how well CD3+ or CD34+ cells tolerate this process.

Study Design And Methods: Viable CD34+ cell recoveries were analyzed from related and unrelated donor granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) products and viable CD3+ cell recoveries from G-CSF-mobilized and nonmobilized apheresis products from related and unrelated donors. All products were cryopreserved with 5% dimethyl sulfoxide and 6% pentastarch using a controlled-rate freezer and were stored in liquid nitrogen.

Red blood cell preservation by droplet freezing with polyvinylpyrrolidone or sucrose-dextrose and by bulk freezing with glycerol.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) preservation is essential to transfusion medicine. Many blood group reference laboratories need a method to preserve rare blood samples for serologic testing at a later date. This study offers a comparison of three common cryoprotective agents and protocols used today: bulk preservation with glycerol and droplet freezing with sucrose-dextrose (S+D) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).

Organization and management of an accredited specialist in blood bank (SBB) technology program.

Background: Specialists in blood bank (SBBs) technology play important roles in blood banks, transfusion services, regulatory agencies, educational institutions, and other facilities where expertise in blood banking, transfusion medicine, cellular therapy, and tissue transplantation is required.

Study Design: Review of pathways that qualify applicants for a national examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to become a certified specialist and outcomes of accredited programs. Description of a face-to-face, accredited program including review of management topics included in curriculum.

Pilot analysis of cytokines levels in stored granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood stem cell concentrates.

Background: The transfusion of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) concentrates is sometimes associated with febrile transfusion reactions. PBSC concentrates contain large numbers of white blood cells, and during storage the levels of soluble cytokines that could cause transfusion reactions may increase.

Study Design And Methods: Aliquots of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (CSF)-mobilized PBSC concentrates from nine healthy subjects were stored in bags at 2 to 8°C for 48 hours.

Investigation of whether the acute hemolysis associated with Rh(o)(D) immune globulin intravenous (human) administration for treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura is consistent with the acute hemolytic transfusion reaction model.

Background: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura and secondary thrombocytopenia patients treated with Rh(o)(D) immune globulin intravenous (human; anti-D IGIV) have experienced acute hemolysis, which is inconsistent with the typical presentation of extravascular hemolysis -- the presumed mechanism of action of anti-D IGIV. Although the mechanism of anti-D-IGIV-associated acute hemolysis has not been established, the onset, signs/symptoms, and complications appear consistent with the intravascular hemolysis of acute hemolytic transfusion reactions (AHTRs). In transfusion medicine, the red blood cell (RBC) antigen-antibody incompatibility(-ies) that precipitate AHTRs can be detected in vitro with compatibility testing.

Another example of a KEL1 variant red cell phenotype due to a threonine to serine change at position 193 of Kell glycoprotein.

Background: Healthy subjects whose red blood cells (RBCs) react variably with anti-KEL1, but strongly express other Kell blood group antigens, have been described and called KEL1 variant. A 53-year-old Caucasian blood donor was identified whose RBCs reacted with three monoclonal and two polyclonal anti-KEL1 and did not react with two monoclonal and one polyclonal anti-KEL1. The molecular basis of this phenotype was investigated.

Comparison of proteomic profiles of serum, plasma, and modified media supplements used for cell culture and expansion.

Background: The culture and expansion of human cells for clinical use requires the presence of human serum or plasma in culture media. Although these supplements have been extensively characterized in their chemical composition, only recently it has been possible to provide by high throughput protein analysis, a comprehensive profile of the soluble factors contributing to cell survival. This study analyzed and compared the presence of 100 proteins including chemokines, cytokines and soluble factors in six different types of media supplements: serum, plasma, recalcified plasma, heat inactivated serum, heat inactivated plasma and heat inactivated recalcified plasma.

KEL6 and KEL7 genotyping with sequence-specific primers.

Background: Although antibodies to Js(a) and Js(b) are clinically significant, reagent-quality anti-Js(a) and anti-Js(b) are not readily available. A sequence-specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) genotyping assay was tested that makes use of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions 1910 and 2019 of KEL. These SNPs distinguish the gene encoding Js(a), KEL6; and Js(b), KEL7.

In vitro variables of red blood cell components collected by apheresis and frozen 6 and 14 days after collection.

Background: An automated cell processing system (ACP 215, Haemonetics Corp.) can be used for the glycerolization and deglycerolization of RBC components, but the components must be 6 or fewer days old. Depending on the anticoagulant (CP2D)/additive solution (AS) used, deglycerolized RBCs can be stored at 1 to 6 degrees C for up to 14 days.

Factors affecting the formation of white particulate matter in red blood cell components.

Background: Recently white particulate matter (WPM) in red blood cell (RBC) components has received increased attention. The nature and causes of WPM formation were investigated.

Study Design And Methods: Whole-blood units were collected from 18 healthy subjects with three different types of collection sets.

The value of pH as a quality control indicator for apheresis platelets.

Background: Standards and regulations require measurement of pH as an apheresis platelet (PLT) component quality monitor. The usefulness of this quality control (QC) measure was investigated.

Study Design And Methods: QC data were retrospectively reviewed for apheresis PLTs collected over 4.

Increasing hemoglobin oxygen saturation levels in sickle trait donor whole blood prevents hemoglobin S polymerization and allows effective white blood cell reduction by filtration.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND Red blood cell (RBC) components from donors with sickle cell trait (Hb AS) often occlude white blood cell (WBC) reduction filters. Techniques were investigated to successfully filter Hb AS donor blood by increasing the Hb oxygen saturation with storage bags and conditions suitable for transfusion products.

Study Design And Methods: Oxygenation kinetics were measured over 3 days in whole-blood units stored in standard-sized 600-mL polyvinylchloride (PVC) bags and whole-blood units divided into three equal parts and stored in standard-sized blood bags made from PVC, tri-2-(ethylhexyl)trimellitate (CLX) plastic, or Teflon.

Poly (ADP) ribose synthetase inhibition reduces obliterative airway disease in rat tracheal allografts.

Background: Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) is the major long-term complication affecting lung transplant recipients, and is characterized pathologically by chronic inflammatory and fibroproliferative airway disease. Based on studies revealing anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties of poly (ADP)-ribose synthetase (PARS) inhibitors, we hypothesized that their administration would be protective in a heterotopic model of experimental OB.

Methods: We transplanted rat tracheas from Brown-Norway donors into Lewis recipients, and treated 2 groups with a novel PARS inhibitor, INO-1001.