Effect of Plasma Unit Weight and Donor Sex on Post-Donation Citrate Level: An Experimental Study on Plasmapheresis Donors.

Introduction: Plasmapheresis donation is considered safe and well tolerated, although long-term effects need to be clarified. The volumes of anticoagulant (ACD-A) used are variable and depend primarily on hematocrit (HCT), total blood processed, amount of plasma collected, and donor characteristics. To elucidate the effect of the plasma unit weight setting on plasmapheresis efficiency and ACD-A distribution, we enrolled male donors undergoing a controlled apheresis process donating 700 g and 720 g in two different sessions.

Cryopreservation affects platelet macromolecular composition over time after thawing and differently impacts on cancer cells behavior in vitro.

Cryopreservation affects platelets' function, questioning their use for cancer patients. We aimed to investigate the biochemical events that occur over time after thawing to optimize transfusion timing and evaluate the effect of platelet supernatants on tumor cell behavior . We compared fresh (Fresh-PLT) with Cryopreserved platelets (Cryo-PLT) at 1 h, 3 h and 6 h after thawing.

A cohort study on the biochemical and haematological parameters of Italian blood donors as possible risk factors of COVID-19 infection and severe disease in the pre- and post-Omicron period.

To investigate the association between biochemical and blood parameters collected before the pandemic in a large cohort of Italian blood donors with the risk of infection and severe disease. We also focused on the differences between the pre- and post-Omicron spread in Italy (i.e.

Homologous platelet gel on radiation-induced dermatitis in a patient receiving head and neck radiotherapy plus cetuximab: A case report.

Introduction: Acute radiodermatitis is a significant complication of cancer radiotherapy, and platelet-based therapies are emerging as potential new treatments.

Main Symptoms And Important Clinical Findings: In this report, we present the case of a patient with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy combined with the monoclonal antibody cetuximab. After 4 weeks of this treatment, the patient developed cutaneous radiation dermatitis.

Reduction of EpCAM-Positive Cells from a Cell Salvage Product Is Achieved by Leucocyte Depletion Filters Alone.

Intraoperative cell salvage reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in complex cancer surgery, but concerns about the possibility of it re-infusing cancer cells have hindered its application in oncology. We monitored the presence of cancer cells on patient-salvaged blood by means of flow cytometry; next, we simulated cell salvage, followed by leucodepletion and irradiation on blood contaminated with a known amount of EpCAM-expressing cancer cells, assessing also residual cancer cell proliferation as well as the quality of salvaged red blood cell concentrates (RBCs). We observed a significant reduction of EpCAM-positive cells in both cancer patients and contaminated blood, which was comparable to the negative control after leucodepletion.

Mother-newborn ABO group discrepancy caused by a rare BW.17 variant.

Several ABO gene mutations are known to determine rare subgroups: these ABO variants are often responsible for weak or null phenotypes and may cause an incorrect determination of the serotype. Here we describe for the first time the phenotypic discrepancy of a rare B allele within the same Caucasian family that depends on the co-inheritance with A or H antigen. Blood samples from newborns, mothers, and grandmothers were analysed through routine serotype and genotype testing.

Platelet-rich Plasma Lysate for Treatment of Eye Surface Diseases.

Various ocular surface diseases are treated with blood-derived eye drops. Their use has been introduced in clinical practice because of their metabolite and growth factor content, which promotes eye surface regeneration. Blood-based eye drops can be prepared from different sources (i.

Associations of urinary and dietary cadmium with urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and blood biochemical parameters.

Cadmium is a heavy metal with established adverse effects on human health, namely on bone, liver and kidney function and the cardiovascular system. We assessed cadmium exposure and its correlation with biomarkers of toxicity. We recruited 137 non-smoking blood donors without a history of chronic disease or cancer who resided in the Northern Italy province of Reggio Emilia (mean age 47 years, range 30-60 years) in the 2017-2019 period.

Comparison of Two Alternative Procedures to Obtain Packed Red Blood Cells for β-Thalassemia Major Transfusion Therapy.

β-thalassemia major (βTM) patients require frequent blood transfusions, with consequences that span from allogenic reactions to iron overload. To minimize these effects, βTM patients periodically receive leucodepleted packed red blood cells (P-RBCs) stored for maximum 14 days. The aim of this study was to compare two alternative routine procedures to prepare the optimal P-RBCs product, in order to identify differences in their content that may somehow affect patients' health and quality of life (QoL).

Association of Urinary and Dietary Selenium and of Serum Selenium Species with Serum Alanine Aminotransferase in a Healthy Italian Population.

The trace element selenium is of considerable interest due to its toxic and nutritional properties, which markedly differ according to the dose and the chemical form. It has been shown that excess selenium intake increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and, possibly, other metabolic diseases like hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). For the latter, however, epidemiologic evidence is still limited.

Apheresis Platelet Rich-Plasma for Regenerative Medicine: An In Vitro Study on Osteogenic Potential.

: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) induces bone regeneration; however, there is low evidence supporting its efficacy in bone healing. The lack of a standardized protocol of administration represents the main obstacle to its use in the clinical routine for bone defects' treatment. The purpose of this study was to characterize PRP and elucidate its osteogenic potential.

Associations between Urinary and Dietary Selenium and Blood Metabolic Parameters in a Healthy Northern Italy Population.

Selenium is both an essential nutrient and a highly toxic element, depending on its dose and chemical forms. We aimed to quantify urinary selenium excretion and dietary selenium intake in 137 healthy non-smoking blood donors living in the northern Italian province of Reggio Emilia. We assessed selenium status by determining urinary selenium levels (mean 26.

The impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the Transfusion Medicine Unit of a Northern Italy Hospital and Cancer Centre.

Background And Objectives: The first wave of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) dramatically affected the Transfusion Medicine Unit of the Azienda Unità Sanitari Locale - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (AUSL-IRCCS) di Reggio Emilia, which faced a total rearrangement of the procedures for donors and patients. This study aims to assess the major implications of COVID-19 on our department, focusing on the blood transfusion chain and therapies, in order to support transfusion specialists in seeking efficient ways to face similar future emergencies.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study compares our Transfusion Medicine Unit data collected between February and May 2020 with the same period in 2017-2019.

Metabolomics comparison of cord and peripheral blood-derived serum eye drops for the treatment of dry eye disease.

Allogeneic peripheral blood-derived (PBS) serum eye drops have been largely used in the treatment of dry eye disease (DED). Recently, cord blood has emerged as an effective alternative serum source (cord blood serum, CBS), containing a higher amount of growth factors than PBS, it holds the promise of a better capability to stimulate corneal healing. However, the lack of a standardized method for preparation, dispensation, storage and a poor biochemical characterization still hamper the establishment of a clinical consensus.

Imbalance of Mg Homeostasis as a Potential Biomarker in Colon Cancer.

Background: Increasing evidences support a correlation between magnesium (Mg) homeostasis and colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevertheless, the role of Mg and its transporters as diagnostic markers in CRC is still a matter of debate. In this study we combined X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy and databases information to investigate the possible correlation between Mg imbalance and CRC.

Proof of concept: hypoxanthine from stored red blood cells induces neutrophil activation.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) units may contain a variety of molecules that can activate the neutrophil cascade turning neutrophils into targets for immunomodulatory molecules. Our metabolomics profiling of RBC units revealed a significant increase of hypoxanthine concentration during storage. Hypoxanthine catabolism in vivo ends with the production of uric acid through a reaction catalysed by xanthine oxidase during which reactive oxygen species are generated.

Optimising plasmapheresis procedure: The role of plasma unit weight setting.

The AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia Transfusion Unit operates in two blood donor centers. Plasmapheresis protocols and machines are identical in both centers, except for the final unit weight setting: 700 g in Center 1 and 720 g in Center 2. Within a wider study to assess the anticoagulant content in plasma units through proton nuclear magnetic resonance, we compared the efficiency of the two settings.

Postoperative patient blood management: transfusion appropriateness in cancer patients.

Background: While patient blood management (PBM) principles are not specific to cancer patients, their application contains the pathophysiological premises that could also benefit this patient population. In this study, we assessed the effects of implementing a PBM bundle for cancer patients in the postoperative period.

Materials And Methods: The Azienda USL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia implemented a two-step PBM bundle for the postoperative period of cancer patients hospitalised in the semi-intensive post-surgery (SIPO) ward.

The effect of donor's characteristics on plasmapheresis products: insights for a personalised approach.

Background: Anticoagulant concentration in plasma units is extremely variable. Understanding the underlying causes of this variability could help personalise plasmapheresis procedures in order to optimise the risk-benefit ratio. We studied the association between anticoagulant solution A (usually ACD-A, Citrate Dextrose Solution A) volume in plasma units and donor characteristics to build a model to determine the needed weight of the final plasma unit to have an 80% probability of reaching 600 mL net plasma.

Heparin-induced lipoprotein precipitation apheresis in dyslipidemic patients: A multiparametric assessment.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis (LA) selectively eliminates lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B 100 (ApoB100) on patients affected by severe dyslipidemia. In addition to lowering lipids, LA is thought to exert pleiotropic effects altering a number of other compounds associated with atherosclerosis, such as pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines or pro-thrombotic factors. More knowledge needs to be gathered on the effects of LA, and particularly on its ability to modify blood components other than lipids.

Patient Blood Management: transfusion appropriateness in the post-operative period.

Background: Within the context of Patient Blood Management (PBM) policy for the peri-operative period, the transfusion medicine unit of our institution adopted a series of strategies to support and enhance red blood cell (RBC) transfusion best practices. This study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of RBC transfusion therapy in the post-operative period, before and after starting a multifactorial PBM policy.

Materials And Methods: A 2-phase observational study was conducted on patients who underwent major surgery.

Quantitative assessment of the anticoagulant in plasma units collected by plasmapheresis.

Background: To date, the quantification of the anticoagulant (ACD-A) in plasma units has been based on theoretical calculations. An accurate quantification could help minimize the risks associated with plasmapheresis, given that the total ACD-A used during the procedure is distributed between the donor and the plasma unit. Our aim was to experimentally quantify the volume of ACD-A in units collected by plasmapheresis.

Red blood cells metabolome changes upon treatment with different X-ray irradiation doses.

The upholding of red blood cells (RBC) quality and the removal of leukocytes are two essential issues in transfusion therapy. Leukodepletion provides optimum results, nonetheless there are cases where irradiation is recommended for some groups of hematological patients such as the ones with chronic graft-vs-host disease, congenital cellular immunodeficiency, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. The European guidelines suggest irradiation doses from 25 to 50 Gray (Gγ).

Statistical validation of H NMR protocol vs standard biochemical assay in quality control of RBC packed units.

Background: Time dependent quantification of endogenous metabolites in biological samples (blood, urine, biological tissues extracts) in normal and pathological conditions as well as following therapeutic protocols is well established. In the clinical practice, such a dynamic flux of information allows the physician to identify and appreciate alterations associated to biochemical pathways of specific organs. In the years, many biochemical assays have been developed to detect, selectively, this vast array of molecules.