Platelets from blood diversion pouches (DPs) are a suitable alternative for functional, bioenergetic, and metabolomic analyses.

Background: The collection of the first blood flow into a diversion pouch (DP) has become widely adopted in blood donation systems to reduce whole-blood unit contamination from skin bacteria. The strict control of pre-analytical variables, such as blood collection and proper anticoagulant selection, is critical to diminish experimental variability when studying different aspects of platelet biology. We hypothesize that the functional, mitochondrial, and metabolomic profiles of platelets isolated from the DP are not different from the ones isolated from standard venipuncture (VP), thus representing a suitable collection method of platelets for experimental purposes.

Safe peripheral blood stem cell collection in patients less than 10 kg: A single-center review.

Introduction: Peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSCC) is well-documented in adults and pediatric patients with larger total blood volume (TBV). However, very little data are available for the successful PBSCC of pediatric patients weighing less than 10 kg. Here, we highlight our institutional approach to PBSCC in this smaller-sized patient population.

Blood counts in children with Down syndrome.

Background: Children with Down syndrome (DS) are more likely to have hematologic and immunologic abnormalities compared to their typically developing peers, but normal ranges have not been defined. The goal of this study was to create references for complete blood counts (CBCs) in patients with DS.

Methods: A retrospective investigation of 355 (male = 196, 55.

Evaluation of a multiplexed coronavirus antigen array for detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG in COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

Mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic requires an understanding of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2. However, throughout the development of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody assays during the past year, cross-reactivity to other coronaviruses remained a question. To address these issues, we evaluated IgG in COVID-19 convalescent plasma samples for reactivity against three SARS-CoV-2 antigens including full-length spike, receptor binding domain, and the proximal extracellular fusion domain, and spike antigens from other coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, hCoV-HKU1, hCoV-OC43, hCoV-229E and hCoV-NL63) using the VaxArray Coronavirus SeroAssay which is a multiplexed antigen assay developed by InDevR Inc.

Perceptions on acceptability and reported consumption of marijuana by blood donors prior to donation in the recreational use state of Colorado, USA.

Background And Objectives: Blood donor opinions and behaviours regarding marijuana use are not well known nor is the potential impact to the blood supply. We sought to assess opinions and frequency of marijuana use in proximity to blood donation via a survey of blood donors at a hospital-based blood collection site in a state where recreational marijuana use has been legal since 2012.

Materials And Methods: Blood donors at least 18 years of age who donated between 2014 and 2019 were surveyed electronically, with all responses kept anonymous to encourage engagement and accurate reporting.

Development and Validation of a Multiplex Microsphere Immunoassay Using Dried Blood Spots for SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence: Application in First Responders in Colorado, USA.

Serological testing of large representative populations for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 is needed to estimate seroprevalence, transmission dynamics, and the duration of antibody responses from natural infection and vaccination. In this study, a high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 multiplex microsphere immunoassay (MMIA) was developed for the receptor binding domain (RBD) and nucleocapsid (N) that was more sensitive than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (98% versus 87%). The MMIA was then applied and validated in 264 first responders in Colorado using serum and dried blood spot (DBS) eluates, compared to ELISA, and evaluated for neutralizing antibodies.

A New SARS-CoV-2 Dual-Purpose Serology Test: Highly Accurate Infection Tracing and Neutralizing Antibody Response Detection.

Many severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serology tests have proven to be less accurate than expected and do not assess antibody function as neutralizing, correlating with protection from reinfection. A new assay technology measuring the interaction of the purified SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) with the extracellular domain of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor detects these important antibodies. The cPass surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT), compared directly with eight SARS-CoV-2 IgG serology and two live-cell neutralization tests, gives similar or improved accuracy for qualitative delineation between positive and negative individuals in a fast, scalable, and high-throughput assay.

Cellular Therapy in Pediatric Hematologic Malignancies.

Advances in cellular therapies for pediatric patients have created many opportunities for improved survival with reduced morbidity. This article reviews current cellular therapies in pediatric hematological malignancy, including the most updated practices in hematopoietic stem cell transplant and the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy in T cells. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant has evolved with improvements in chemotherapy regimens, immunosuppression, and donor-matching options.

Presence and short-term persistence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors.

Background: In March 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) as an investigational new drug for treatment of COVID-19. Since then, collection of CCP from COVID-19-recovered patients has been implemented in donor centers nationwide. Children's Hospital Colorado rapidly put into practice a CCP collection protocol, necessitating development and implementation of assays to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in CCP units.

Analysis of COVID-19 convalescent plasma for SARS-CoV-2 IgG using two commercial immunoassays.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CCP) was approved by the FDA for use in severe cases of COVID-19 under an emergency Investigational New Drug (IND) protocol. Eligibility criteria for CCP donors includes documentation of evidence of COVID-19 either by viral RNA detection at the time of illness or positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG after recovery if diagnostic testing for COVID-19 was not performed at the time of illness. In addition to analysis of CCP, analysis of SARS-CoV-2 IgG provides information for possible past exposure and may support diagnosis when SARS-CoV-2 PCR is negative and clinical suspicion for COVID-19 is high.

A 5-hour-old male neonate with cyanosis.

Methemoglobin (MetHb) is a form of hemoglobin in which heme iron is oxidized and unable to bind oxygen; its normal basal production is counteracted by an efficient MetHb-reduction pathway. The causes of methemoglobinemia are classified as congenital or acquired. Shortly after his birth, the 5-hour-old male Caucasian neonate, whose case we present herein, developed central cyanosis that was unresponsive to supplemental oxygen.

Platelet transfusion for patients with cancer.

Background: Platelet transfusion is a critical and often necessary aspect of managing cancer. Low platelet counts frequently lead to bleeding complications; however, the drugs used to combat malignancy commonly lead to decreased production and destruction of the very cell whose function is essential to stop bleeding. The transfusion of allogeneic platelet products helps to promote hemostasis, but alloimmunization may make it difficult to manage other complications associated with cancer.

Optimal use of fresh frozen plasma.

Fresh frozen plasma contains a number of therapeutically useful substances, most notably coagulation factors. As with any transfusion, there are risks associated with plasma transfusion. Ironically, the risk of viral transmission (human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis), although widely publicized, is extremely small.

B1 and TRPV-1 receptor genes and their relationship to hyperalgesia following spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Laboratory investigation of pain behavior following spinal cord injury.

Objective: To explore changes in the spinal cord expression of nociceptive genes following spinal cord injury (SCI) as they relate to the manifestation of pain behavior in rats.

Summary Of Background Data: Neuropathic pain following SCI is common, disabling, and largely untreatable.