[HCV RNA testing for early diagnosis of hepatitis C in blood donors--new challenge for transfusion medicine and hepatology].

To improve the blood transfusion safety, according to the international recommendations anti-HCV negative blood donors are screened for HCV RNA. For decreasing the costs, the pools of 48 donor samples are tested. Until now 2,500,000 Polish donors were tested and HCV RNA was detected in 40.

[Evaluation of platelet quality obtained using conventional methods or from buffy-coat and stored at room temperature].

A comparison has been made between platelet concentrates (Pcs) obtained from buffy coat (Bc) and from platelet rich plasma. The method of preparation proves to have an platelet properties in vitro. Both types of Pcs were investigated immediately after isolation as well as during the 5 day period of storage.

[Comparison of platelet concentrates obtained using blood cell separators with continuous flow: CS-3000 and Cobe-Spectra].

During a platelet apheresis procedure on CS-3000 the platelet concentrate (Pc) is centrifugated for about 1.5 h. In the Cobe system Pc is gradually collected in a container located outside the machine.

Secretory response of the vessel wall to DDAVP and venous occlusion in von Willebrand's disease.

The aim of this study was to compare the secretory response of the vascular wall in vivo to DDAVP (i.v. 0.

[Therapeutic plasmapheresis in patients with multiple myeloma].

The effectiveness of therapeutic plasmaphereses with antineoplastic chemotherapy was evaluated in 25 cases of plasmocytic myeloma in stage III of progression of the proliferative process. The indication to plasmapheresis was hypergelification of serum with clinical symptoms of central nervous system disturbances, renal failure in various stages of progression, intensification of coronary symptoms, bleeding tendency. Good effects with reduced level of total protein and monoclonal protein in serum by 30-80% with regression of clinical symptoms caused by serum hypergelification were obtained in 11 cases.

Venostasis but not DDAVP infusion provokes the plasma fibronectin increase.

Plasma fibronectin (pFN), von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf:Ag), factor VIII procoagulant activity, fibrinogen, euglobulin lysis time (ELT) and hematocrit were determined in healthy blood donors before and after venostasis as well as after intravenous infusion of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP). Both venostasis and DDAVP provoked an increase in vWf:Ag and shortening in the ELT. In contrast, venostasis only but not DDAVP induced an increase in pFN levels which was statistically significant with and without correction for a concomitant hematocrit increment.

Cryoprecipitate of intermediate purity produced in a closed thaw-siphon system from DDAVP stimulated blood donor plasma.

The effects of intravenous administration of DDAVP to blood donors and the use of DDAVP plasma for the production of cryoprecipitate in the closed thaw-siphon system were evaluated. DDAVP treatment produced on the average a 3.2-fold rise in plasma levels of factor VIII.

Chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes exposed to tritiated water in vitro.

The induction of chromosome aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by tritiated water or 180 kV X-rays in vitro was studied. Lymphocytes were exposed to various concentrations of HTO for 2 h or for 53 h. Chromosome and chromatid type aberrations were scored during the first mitotic division after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin.