The effects of drone transportation on blood component quality: A prospective randomised controlled laboratory study.

The use of uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones) has increased over the last decade. However, their application in healthcare has not been fully examined, in part, due to regulations preventing flight beyond the visual line of sight. This prospective randomised controlled laboratory study aimed to determine whether the in vitro quality of packed red blood cell components is maintained when transported by drone, beyond visual line of sight.

Universal irradiation of platelets: Does irradiation affect the quality, effectiveness, and safety of platelets for transfusion?

We aimed to identify any detrimental effects on platelet quality and clinical effectiveness, of irradiated platelets compared to non-irradiated platelets for transfusion. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was prospectively registered on PROSPERO [CRD42023441930].

Current transfusion practice and need for new blood products to ensure blood supply for patients with major hemorrhage in Europe.

Background: New blood products are considered for treatment of patients with major hemorrhage. The aim of this report is to describe the current transfusion practices in Europe for patients with major hemorrhage and explore the need for new or modified blood products to ensure prehospital and in-hospital blood supply.

Study Design And Method: The European Blood Alliance (EBA) Working Group on Innovation and New Blood Products' subgroup on major hemorrhage performed a survey among the EBA member states.

Recommendations for in vitro evaluation of blood components collected, prepared and stored in non-DEHP medical devices.

Background And Objectives: DEHP, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, is the most common member of the class of ortho-phthalates, which are used as plasticizers. The Medical Device Regulation has restricted the use of phthalates in medical devices. Also DEHP has been added to the Annex XIV of REACH, "Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals" due to its endocrine disrupting properties to the environment.

A comparison of platelet function in cold-stored whole blood and platelet concentrates.

Background: There is renewed interest in the use of whole blood (WB) for the resuscitation of trauma patients. Platelet function in stored WB compared to platelet concentrates is not well established and was assessed in vitro in this study.

Methods: Leucocyte-depleted cold-stored WB (CS-WB) was prepared using a Terumo WB-SP Imuflex kit and held at 2-6°C alongside: (A) UK standard pooled platelets stored at 20-24°C (RT-PLTS), (B) pooled platelets stored at 2-6°C (CS-PLTS), and (C) platelet-rich plasma produced using the Terumo kit (CS-PRP), for 21 days.

A comparison of the effect of X and gamma irradiation on red cell storage quality.

Background And Objectives: Irradiation of red cell components is indicated for recipients at risk of transfusion-associated graft vs. host disease. Current technologies available comprise of a gamma (γ) or an x source of radiation.

Effect of storage of plasma in the presence of red blood cells and platelets: re-evaluating the shelf life of whole blood.

Background: There is renewed interest in administering whole blood (WB) for the resuscitation of patients with bleeding trauma. The shelf life of WB was established decades ago based on the viability of red blood cells. However, plasma quality during WB storage is not established.

Investigation of the quality of stored red blood cells after simulated air drop in the maritime environment.

Background: Maritime medical capability may be compromised by blood resupply. Air-dropped red blood cells (RBCs) is a possible mitigation factor. This study set out to evaluate RBC storage variables after a simulated parachute air drop into the sea, as limited data exist.

A Comparison of Red Cell Rejuvenation versus Mechanical Washing for the Prevention of Transfusion-associated Organ Injury in Swine.

Background: We evaluated the effects of two interventions that modify the red cell storage lesion on kidney and lung injury in experimental models of transfusion.

Methods: White-landrace pigs (n = 32) were allocated to receive sham transfusion (crystalloid), 14-day stored allogeneic red cells, 14-day red cells washed using the red cells washing/salvage system (CATS; Fresenius, Germany), or 14-day red cells rejuvenated using the inosine solution (Rejuvesol solution; Zimmer Biomet, USA) and washed using the CATS device. Functional, biochemical, and histologic markers of organ injury were assessed for up to 24 h posttransfusion.

Effects of riboflavin and amotosalen photoactivation systems for pathogen inactivation of fresh-frozen plasma on fibrin clot structure.

Background: Fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion carries a risk of viral transmission from donor to recipient. Riboflavin (Mirasol) and amotosalen (Intercept) are two pathogen inactivation (PI) methods that may enhance the safety of FFP for transfusion. Our study investigated the effects of Mirasol and Intercept treatment on fibrin formation and clot structure.

Familial pseudohyperkalemia in blood donors: a novel mutation with implications for transfusion practice.

Background: Familial pseudohyperkalemia (FP) is a dominantly inherited condition in which red blood cells (RBCs) have an increased cold-induced permeability to monovalent cations. Potassium leaks into the supernatant of all stored blood with time, but FP RBCs leak potassium more rapidly. We investigated two unrelated blood donors whose RBC donations demonstrated unexpectedly high potassium after 5 and 6 days' storage.

Pathogen inactivation of platelets using ultraviolet C light: effect on in vitro function and recovery and survival of platelets.

Background: We evaluated the effect of treating platelets (PLTs) using ultraviolet (UV)C light without the addition of any photosensitizing chemicals on PLT function in vitro and PLT recovery and survival in an autologous radiolabeled volunteer study.

Study Design And Methods: For in vitro studies, pooled or single buffy coat-derived PLT concentrates (PCs) were pooled and split to obtain identical PCs that were either treated with UVC or untreated (n = 6 each) and stored for 7 days. PLT recovery and survival were determined in a two-arm parallel autologous study in healthy volunteers performed according to BEST guidelines.

On-chip digital microfluidic architectures for enhanced actuation and sensing.

An on-chip system is presented with integrated architectures for digital microfluidic actuation and sensing. Localized actuation is brought about by a digital microfluidic multiplexer layout that overcomes the challenges of multi-microdrop interference, and complete two-dimensional motion is shown for microdrops on a 14 × 14 grid with minimized complexity by way of 14+14 inputs. At the same time, microdrop sensing is demonstrated in a folded-cavity design for enhanced optical intensity probing of internal fluid refractive indices.

Manufacture of red cells in additive solution from whole blood refrigerated for 5 days or remanufactured from red cells stored in plasma.

Background And Objectives: To investigate methods for the production of red cell concentrates (RCC) in saline, adenine, glucose and mannitol (SAG-M), from whole blood or red cells stored in plasma for 5 or 6 days and to provide evidence that exchange transfusion RCC in citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) plasma or citrate, phosphate, dextrose, adenine (CPDA-1) plasma are of comparable quality.

Methods And Materials: Ten RCC in SAG-M were produced following the remanufacture of red cells in CPD plasma on day 5/6 or after 5 days hold as leucodepleted CPD whole blood. In addition, 10 RCC in CPD plasma and 9 in CPDA-1 plasma were stored without further processing.

Prion reduction of red blood cells: impact on component quality.

Background: A filter has been developed (P-Capt, MacoPharma) to remove infectious prions from red blood cells (RBCs). We sought to assess 1) its operational use, 2) the quality of filtered components, and 3) whether filtration resulted in any significant changes to blood group antigens.

Study Design And Methods: A total of 272 leukoreduced RBC units, including units processed using "top-and-top" (TAT) and "bottom-and-top" (BAT) methods, were prion reduced using the P-Capt filter.

PheP, a putative amino acid permease of Staphylococcus aureus, contributes to survival in vivo and during starvation.

PheP, a putative amino acid permease in Staphylococcus aureus, contributes to starvation survival under glucose-limiting conditions and virulence. A pheP mutation led to poor growth after microaerobic or anaerobic incubation on pig serum agar, which was recovered by phenylalanine addition. Genetic complementation of pheP restored growth and starvation survival.

IsdA of Staphylococcus aureus is a broad spectrum, iron-regulated adhesin.

As an important facet of host-pathogen interaction, Staphylococcus aureus has the ability to adhere to human extracellular matrix (ECM) components via a range of surface proteins. Here we have shown that IsdA has broad-spectrum ligand-binding activity, including fibrinogen and fibronectin. Mapping studies revealed a distinct domain responsible for ligand binding.

Metamaterial endoscope for magnetic field transfer: near field imaging with magnetic wires.

We report on the development and use of a highly anisotropic magnetic metamaterial for near-field imaging. The material consists of an array of Swiss Roll structures, resonant near 21.3 MHz, with a peak value of relative permeability ~35.