Effect of red blood cell transfusion on inflammation, endothelial cell activation and coagulation in the critically ill.

Background And Objectives: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a frequently applied intervention in an intensive care unit. However, transfusion is associated with adverse outcomes including organ failure and thrombo-embolic events. Mechanisms of these effects are not known but may be related to activation of the endothelium or of the coagulation or inflammatory system.

The effect of PLGA molecular weight differences on risperidone release from microspheres.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of molecular weight differences of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) on the in vitro release profile of risperidone microspheres. Four different PLGA molecular weights were investigated and all the microsphere formulations were prepared using the same manufacturing process. Physicochemical properties (particle size, drug loading, morphology and molecular weight) as well as in vitro degradation profiles of the prepared microspheres were investigated in addition to in vitro release testing.

Red blood cell transfusion results in adhesion of neutrophils in human endotoxemia and in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is associated with adverse effects, which may involve activation of the host immune response. The effect of RBC transfusion on neutrophil Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and adhesion ex vivo was investigated in endotoxemic volunteers and in critically ill patients that received a RBC transfusion. We hypothesized that RBC transfusion would cause neutrophil activation, the extent of which depends on the storage time and the inflammatory status of the recipient.

The effect of red blood cell transfusion on platelet function in critically ill patients.

Introduction: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is associated with an increased risk of pro-thrombotic events, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. We hypothesized that RBC transfusion modulates platelet activity in critically ill patients with and without sepsis.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 37 critically ill patients receiving a single RBC unit to correct for anemia were sampled prior to and 1 h after transfusion.