A real-life evaluation of two platelet cross-matching programmes for the treatment of patients refractory to platelet transfusions.

Background And Objectives: Strategies for overcoming alloimmune refractoriness to random donor platelets are based on the use of compatible platelets selected from large panels of HLA-typed donors or cross-matching (XM). The aim of this study was to review the effectiveness of a platelet XM programme for treating refractory haematological patients at Milan's Policlinico Hospital (PHM) 2002-2014 and Spedali Civili in Brescia (SCB) 2013-2016.

Materials And Methods: A commercially available solid-phase antibody detection system was used for platelet antibody detection and XM.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D Serum Levels and Endometriosis: Results of a Case-Control Study.

The immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties of vitamin D have laid the basis for a possible function of this prohormone in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate vitamin D status, by measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum levels, in women with and without endometriosis. Only Italian women of Caucasian origin aged between 18 and 45 years were deemed eligible.