IFN-β expression is directly activated in human neutrophils transfected with plasmid DNA and is further increased via TLR-4-mediated signaling.

Upon LPS binding, TLR4 activates a MyD88-dependent pathway leading to the transcriptional activation of proinflammatory genes, as well as a MyD88-independent/TRIF-dependent pathway, responsible for the transcriptional induction of IFN-β. Previous findings delineated that human neutrophils are unable to induce the transcription of IFN-β in response to TLR4 stimulation. Because neutrophils do not express protein kinase C ε, a molecule recently reported as essential for initiating the MyD88-independent/TRIF-dependent pathway, we optimized an electroporation method to transfect PKCε into neutrophils with very high efficiency.

Differential response of human basophil activation markers: a multi-parameter flow cytometry approach.

Background: Basophils are circulating cells involved in hypersensitivity reactions and allergy but many aspects of their activation, including the sensitivity to external triggering factors and the molecular aspects of cell responses, are still to be focused. In this context, polychromatic flow cytometry (PFC) is a proper tool to investigate basophil function, as it allows to distinguish the expression of several membrane markers upon activation in multiple experimental conditions.

Methods: Cell suspensions were prepared from leukocyte buffy coat of K2-EDTA anticoagulated blood specimens; about 1500-2500 cellular events for each tested sample, gated in the lymphocyte CD45dim area and then electronically purified as HLADRnon expressing/CD123bright, were identified as basophilic cells.

Efficacy of platelet gel in reconstructive bone surgery.

Autologous platelet concentrate and cryoprecipitate, mixed to obtain a gel, have been successful in various operations, primarily oral and maxillofacial surgery. This study assessed the use of platelet gel in 19 patients undergoing 22 reconstructive bone surgical procedures. After a median follow-up of 12.

[Clinical use of erythropoietin].

The introduction of recombinant human erythropoietin (RHuEPO) has dramatically changed the therapeutic approach to the anemia of chronic renal failure. Clinical studies have also demonstrated that RHuEPO is effectiveness in various non-uremic conditions, such as anemia associated with onco-hematological disorders, prematurity, HIV infection and to reduce the exposure to allogeneic blood in surgical patients. In this review, we briefly analyze the main clinical applications of RHuEPO, with particular attention to the potential complications deriving from its use.

Clinical and laboratory study of an episode of cefotetan-induced severe hemolytic anemia.

Background: Cephalosporins are frequently associated with positive direct antiglobulin tests (DAT) and may rarely cause immune hemolytic anemia (IHA). We describe a patient who developed hemolytic anemia while she was receiving intravenous cefotetan.

Study Design And Methods: Immunohematologic studies of drug-dependent antibodies were performed by using cefotetan-treated red blood cells (RBCs) and untreated RBCs in the presence of cefotetan.

Detection of an early HIV-1 infection by HIV RNA testing in an Italian blood donor during the preseroconversion window period.

Background: The implementation of NAT technologies for HIV screening has further reduced the diagnostic window in recent HIV infection. There is still a debate regarding the cost effectiveness of genomic screening of blood donations for transfusion-transmitted viruses (HBV, HCV, HIV).

Study Design And Methods: Since October 2001, at the Transfusion Service of Verona, single-donation NAT testing for HCV and HIV-1 (Procleix TMA HIV-1/HCV Assay) of all blood donations has been performed.

Update on chronic hepatitis C in hemophiliacs.

Background And Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients affected by hereditary bleeding disorders and treated with non-virus inactivated clotting factor concentrates during the 1970s.

Information Sources: In this review, we briefly report the present knowledge about HCV infection in hemophilic patients. The natural course of hepatitis C virus infection in hemophiliacs is described, by analyzing the prevalence of HCV infection, the genotype distribution and the risk factors involved in the progression of chronic hepatitis into severe liver disease such as cirrhosis, liver decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma.