The effect of plasma removal from apheresis platelet concentrates on platelet function.

The effect of plasma removal on platelet function has scarcely been investigated. Plasma removal from apheresis platelet concentrates was achieved by centrifugation at 5000 g for 6 min or 2000 g for 10 min. After resting for 1 h, platelet concentrates were resuspended in 0·9% NaCl.

Soluble p-selectin, D-dimer, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after acute deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb.

Background: Soluble p-selectin (sP-selectin), D-dimer, and C-reactive protein (CRP) are elevated in deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and may play a role as risk predictors of recurrent venous thromboembolism. However, these parameters have only been assessed at manifestation or at single time points after DVT so far. We therefore investigated the course of sP-selectin, D-dimer, and high-sensitivity (hs)-CRP after acute unprovoked DVT of the lower limb.

Evaluation of risk for secondary fracture after removal of a new femoral neck plate for intracapsular hip fractures.

Objective: To determine whether a new femoral neck plate has a higher risk for secondary fracture after implant removal than the current standard treatment for intracapsular hip fractures.

Methods: Six pairs of human cadaver femora (age, 56 ± 5.6 years; range, 48-64 years; two female and four male donors) were instrumented with the femoral neck plate (FNP) or the compression hip screw combined with an antirotation screw (CHS) in a paired study design.

High levels of platelet-monocyte aggregates after valve replacement for aortic stenosis: relation to soluble P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 genes.

Background: Calcific aortic valve stenosis is linked to atherosclerosis. The latter is associated with increased levels of platelets adhering to monocytes (PMA).

Objective: The hemodynamic impairment in symptomatic aortic valve stenosis can be abated by valve replacement.

The anatomical collection of Giovan Battista Rini (1795-1856): A paleoradiological investigation.

Eight anatomical preparations from the collection of Giovan Battista Rini (1795-1856) at the Desenzano Hospital Pathology Division (Brescia, Italy) were examined by computed tomography (CT). The aim of the study was to obtain detailed information on the state of preservation of these "anatomical mummies" and the techniques used to prepare them. Relying on the existing literature, the examined specimens (five heads with necks, two busts and one heart) could be divided into three types of anatomical specimens: "dry preparations," "corrosion preparations," and "organ preparations.

The coding and inter-manual transfer of movement sequences.

The manuscript reviews recent experiments that use inter-manual transfer and inter-manual practice paradigms to determine the coordinate system (visual-spatial or motor) used in the coding of movement sequences during physical and observational practice. The results indicated that multi-element movement sequences are more effectively coded in visual-spatial coordinates even following extended practice, while very early in practice movement sequences with only a few movement elements and relatively short durations are coded in motor coordinates. Likewise, inter-manual practice of relatively simple movement sequences show benefits of right and left limb practice that involves the same motor coordinates while the opposite is true for more complex sequences.

Practice makes transfer of motor skills imperfect.

We investigated the practice-effects on motor skill transfer and the associated representational memory changes that occur during the within-practice and between-practice phases. In two experiments, participants produced extension-flexion movements with their dominant right arm for a limited or prolonged practice session arranged in either a single- or multi-session format. We tested the ability of participants to transfer the original pattern (extrinsic transformation) or the mirrored one (intrinsic transformation) to the non-dominant left arm, 10 min and 24 h after the practice sessions.

Methods for testing platelet function for transfusion medicine.

Background: Currently only indirect measures are required for monitoring the function of platelets in platelet concentrates (PC).

Methods: This is an overview on currently available commercialized methods that have been used to determine platelet function in donors, concentrates and after transfusion. We show examples for the application of the no/low shear methods light-transmission aggregometry, flow cytometry, multiple electrode aggregometry, thrombelastography and dynamic light scattering, and those applying high shear, the platelet function analyzer-100, and the cone and plate analyzer.

The influencing factors for clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition are assay-dependent.

Background: Influencing factors for clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition have only been evaluated by one or two different test systems in the same population so far. Since previous studies revealed poor correlations between the various platelet function tests, the identification of influencing variables for clopidogrel response may vary from one test system to the next. We therefore investigated whether the influencing factors for clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition depend on the used assay.

Clinical, genetic and confounding factors determine the dynamics of the in vitro response/non response to clopidogrel.

Platelet inhibition by clopidogrel varies from one individual to the next. Further, in vitro high on-treatment residual adenosine-diphosphate inducible platelet reactivity (HRPR) is associated with an increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation. Recent studies identified numerous influencing factors for the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel.

Platelet activation and function during eltrombopag treatment in immune thrombocytopenia.

We monitored platelet activation by means of P-selectin and platelet monocyte aggregates (PMA) and platelet function by whole blood multiple electrode aggregometry and platelet adhesion under high shear in chronic immune thrombocytopenia patients to define changes in platelet activation during treatment with eltrombopag. Overall, platelet activation and function normalized with increasing platelet counts. However, P-selectin, which was already elevated before treatment, and PMA increased further transiently during the first weeks.

A high maintenance dose increases the inhibitory response to clopidogrel in patients with high on-treatment residual platelet reactivity.

Background: Patients with high on-treatment residual adenosine diphosphate-inducible platelet reactivity (HRPR) despite clopidogrel therapy are at an increased risk for adverse events after coronary stenting. A higher maintenance dose of clopidogrel may increase the inhibitory response in these patients.

Methods: We randomly assigned 46 patients with HRPR in at least one of three platelet reactivity tests to 75 mg vs.

The P-selectin gene Pro715 allele and low levels of soluble P-selectin are associated with reduced P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate receptor reactivity in clopidogrel-treated patients.

Objective: To investigate the interrelation between the P-selectin gene (SELP) Pro715 allele, P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor reactivity and levels of soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) in clopidogrel treated patients.

Methods: The Pro715 allele within SELP was tested by allele specific PCR, sP-selectin was determined by ELISA, and P2Y12 receptor reactivity was analyzed by the VASP assay in 156 patients after angioplasty and stenting.

Results: Carriers of the SELP Pro715 allele had significantly lower levels of sP-selectin and P2Y12 receptor reactivity, and high on-treatment residual P2Y12 receptor reactivity (HRPR) was significantly less frequent compared to non-carriers (both p<0.

Age-related effects in interlimb practice on coding complex movement sequences.

Hikosaka et al. (1999) proposed that sequential movements are acquired in independent visual-spatial and motor coordinate systems with coding initially represented in visual-spatial coordinates, and later after extended practice in motor coordinates. One aspect of sequence learning that has not been systematically studied, however, is the question of whether or not older adults show the same pattern of coding in inter-limb practice as younger learners.

Observation and physical practice: coding of simple motor sequences.

An experiment was conducted to determine the coordinate system used in the development of movement codes during observation and utilized on later physical practice performance of a simple spatial-temporal movement sequence. The task was to reproduce a 1.3-s spatial-temporal pattern of elbow flexions and extensions.

Comparison of methods to evaluate aspirin-mediated platelet inhibition after percutaneous intervention with stent implantation.

Urinary 11-dehydro thromboxane B2 (d-TXB2) concentrations in the highest quartile have been associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients at high risk for atherothrombotic events. However, the determination of d-TXB2 is time consuming and not suitable for daily clinical routine. We therefore sought to determine the test correlating best with d-TXB2 to estimate aspirin-mediated platelet inhibition in 225 patients on dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous intervention with stent implantation.

High-shear- and-thrombin-inducible platelet adhesion and aggregation in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Effects of unfractionated heparin versus bivalirudin.

Thrombin-generation and activation of platelets during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) play a key role for early thrombotic events. Heparin and bivalirudin are approved anticoagulants for PCI. We examined the specific effects of these anticoagulants on platelet adhesion and aggregation under high shear conditions, and the presence of excess thrombin.

The influence of proton pump inhibitors on the antiplatelet potency of clopidogrel evaluated by 5 different platelet function tests.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system to a variable degree and may therefore interact with the metabolism of clopidogrel to its active form. The conflicting data on this potential interaction may be due to the use of different PPIs and platelet function tests in recent studies. We therefore evaluated the influence of different PPIs on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel by 5 platelet function tests in the same population.

Role of action observation and action in sequence learning and coding.

A complex sequence learning task was used to determine if the type of coding acquired through physical practice (PP), observation of the stimulus (Obs-S), or observation of stimulus and action (Obs-SA) differs between conditions and whether the type of observation influences subsequent learning of the task when physical practice was permitted. Participants in the Obs-S group were permitted to watch the sequentially illuminated stimuli on the screen. In the Obs-SA group participants could see both flexion-extension movements of the model's arm performing the sequence and the sequentially illuminated stimuli on the screen.

Scenes from the past: radiologic evidence of anthropogenic mummification in the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily.

The purpose of this study was to use paleoradiologic analyses to investigate a sample of the mummies in the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, Sicily, in order to assess skeletal abnormalities and the state of preservation, especially the condition of the internal organs, and to determine radiologic evidence of anthropogenic mummification. Ten 19th and early 20th century mummies with good external preservation were investigated by using a portable direct radiography unit inside the Capuchin Catacombs. The radiographs clearly demonstrated signs of anthropogenic mummification in nine of the 10 mummies investigated.