Evaluating the 'next generation' of cell salvage--will it make a difference?

Introduction: Donor blood supplies are diminishing, becoming more costly and these transfusions lead to higher mortality in cardiac patients. The transfusion risks and the literature highlight the need for an alternative similar to cell salvage to be routinely considered. The Xtra is the first cell saver to be launched since 2001 and will undoubtedly initiate evolution towards the 'next generation' of cell savers.

Crystal structure of a truncated urease accessory protein UreF from Helicobacter pylori.

Urease plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori in humans. Maturation of this nickel metalloenzyme in bacteria requires the participation of the accessory proteins UreD (termed UreH in H. pylori), UreF, and UreG, which form sequential complexes with the urease apoprotein as well as UreE, a metallochaperone.