Influence of a 12-hour, 22 degrees C holding period for buffy coats on the preparation of platelet concentrates stored in plasma.

Background: The preparation of platelet concentrates (PCs) from buffy coats (BCs) stored at room temperature is controversial, because of the strong metabolic activity of cells in BCs and the possible detrimental effect of neutrophil enzymes on platelets when the holding time before separation is prolonged. Despite good in vitro and in vivo behavior of BC-PCs stored in synthetic solution, little is known of the quality of BC-PCs stored in plasma.

Study Design And Methods: Comparison was made of PCs prepared from BCs held at 22 degrees C for 3 hours (3-hour BC-PCs) or overnight (12-hour BC-PCs) and stored in plasma.

[Anti-HBc in blood donors. Distribution by sex and age classes].

Among the 21,341 blood donors who gave their blood in 1990, 638 were anti-HBc positive. There is a significant difference between men and women who are 18 to 22 years old and those who are more than 50 years old. In the first case, this difference can be referred to the heterogeneity of the male population and in the second case, to the aftermath of military campaigns.

[Flow cytometric analysis of cellular DNA content in Barret's esophagus. A study of 66 cases].

Dysplasia is the only marker for malignant potential in Barrett's esophagus. The histologic interpretation of dysplasia is sometimes difficult, particularly when attempting to distinguish dysplastic changes from those of a regenerating and inflammatory mucosa. In order to find an objective marker to identify patients with high risk of malignant transformation, the authors evaluated 497 biopsies from 66 patients with Barrett's esophagus with flow cytometry.

[Direct diagnosis of predominant mutation delta F508 associated with the mucoviscidosis gene].

The cystic fibrosis locus was mapped on the long arm of the chromosome 7 in 1985. It has recently been cloned and a three base pair deletion has been recognized as the mutation associated with the majority of CF chromosomes (delta F508). CF haplotypes previously defined with tightly associated DNA markers were analysed using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and allele specific oligonucleotides to determine the presence or absence of this mutation.

[Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney and genetic markers of chromosome 16].

The mutation for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (APKD) has been mapped by linkage analysis on the distal part of the short arm of chromosome 16. We present in this study the results of linkage analysis using the two most tightly linked DNA markers (3'HVR and 24-1) in 183 members of 14 families of a same ethnic origin. We have constructed haplotypes using these two polymorphic probes, and compared the frequency of these on the normal and the affected chromosome.

[Mucoviscidosis: current diagnostic possibilities. Applications in perinatology].

The gene of cystic fibrosis is localised on the long arm of chromosome 7. DNA probes placed close to the gene enable a study of restriction polymorphism to follow the transmission of the gene in index families. It is now possible to counsel those families, who already have an affected child, with an early antenatal diagnosis at ten weeks after the last period.

HLA class II genes polymorphism in DR4 giant cell arteritis patients.

We have previously reported a significant increase of HLA-DR4 antigen frequency in giant cell arteritis (GCA). This finding suggested an important role of immunogenetic factors in this syndrome. Recent data suggest that inherited susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases was associated with specific DR4 associated DQ beta alleles.

[Approaching the gene of mucoviscidosis. New data].

We used 5 polymorphic probes strongly linked to the gene of cystic fibrosis (CF) to perform the genotypical study of 48 families with at least one child presenting with the disease. The last Km19 and XV2c probes showed a very important linkage imbalance with the CF gene (allele 2 = 6.6 kb of Km19/Pstl, chi 2 = 56; allele 1 = 2.

[Molecular biology and mucoviscidosis. Brest experience in 1987].

The gene for cystic fibrosis is located on the long arm of chromosome 7 at 7q31. The close linkage between the disease locus and several DNA markers allowed a study of the DNA restriction polymorphism pattern in 30 Breton families. The frequency of the haplotypes indicated by the probes pJ 3.

[Post-transfusion malaria. Partial statistical data. Preventive approach to detecting blood donors at risk].

The authors demonstrate the reality of post-transfusion malaria, define the plasmodial species involved, and insist on the responsibility of Plasmodium falciparum in the occurrence of major complications. A prophylactic approach is proposed, by researching anti-malarial antibodies in donors at risk. An I.

[Prevention of post-transfusional malaria].

The Authors report the results over a four year-period of their protocol for the detection of blood donors at risk of harboring Plasmodium Falciparum and thence transmitting post-transfusional malaria. This protocol is based on donor questioning and antibody detection by an immunofluorescence assay. It has led to exclude from the direct transfusional network 0,41% of the draws, but then 1032 units have been reintegrated in the inventory without provoking any reported incident.

[The micro-computer card. Possible applications to transfusion from A to Z].

Following characteristics of micro-computer cards: inaccessibility to selected secret information; strong resistance to aggressive external agents; impossibility of altering stored data without destroying it; instant reading and reproduction by authorized services; make them a perfect material for building up individual records of civil and biological data. Their application to blood transfusion allows increased safety not only for blood donation registrations, but above all when transfusion takes place; they may also be used as credit cards for health expenditures. They consequently serve as real LIFE cards.

[Practical impact of instructions concerning AIDS].

Following an inquiry to determine what measures has been taken since january 1984 in French Blood Centers to avoid transmission of AIDS by blood, answers from 49 % of the centers, representing 75 % of the blood collection in France were analyzed. Due to the absence of a biological marker, only information given to blood donors, unpaid in France, permitting spontaneous autoexclusion had been used to screen donors in blood center. Direct questioning of donor for risk factors before taking blood raised numerous problems in donors of whole blood, but could be satisfactorily implemented in cytapheresis and plasmapheresis donors mainly because of closer human contact between volunteers and the medical staff.

Screening blood donors for Plasmodium falciparum malariae. Application of ready-to-use homologous antigens.

Prevention of post-transfusion malaria remains a worrying problem. Until now it was very difficult to obtain homologous antigens, and immunologic methods used to detect malaria were expensive. We tested the ready-to-use Plasmodium falciparum prepared slides using the IFA (indirect fluorescent antibody) test on 866 selected potentially dangerous donors and known malaria cases.

[Identification of blood donors capable of transmitting P. falciparum. Use of homologous antigenic preparations ready for use].

The smears of P. falciparum parasited blood ready to be employed, that we have tested in indirect immunofluorescence to detect blood donors who can be at the origin of post transfusional paludism, seem to offer a very important progress to us for the improvement of transfusion security. Their routine use can be recommended because their easy way of using allows their adoption by very many transfusion centers.

[Hormonal profile and HLA typing of adult subjects from 7 families with congenital adrenal hyperplasia caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency].

Most members of seven families in whom one subject was known to have congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency were haplotyped for HLA B antigen which was supposed to be linked to the defective gene. Heterozygous males (group 1, n = 9), and females (group 3, n = 8) were recognized. These had no clinical abnormalities.

Monoclonal gammopathies in the adult population of Finistère, France.

Three hundred and thirty-four monoclonal gammopathies were detected in the sera of 30 279 adults from Finistère. Monoclonal gammopathies (MG) are more common in Finistère than in Paris and their distribution is not homogeneous. IgG paraproteins are particularly common in the northeast of Finistère whereas IgM paraproteins are more common in the southwest.

[Transfusional malaria in France (1960-1979) (author's transl)].

Transfusional Malaria is not a rare condition in France: in the past 20 years, 110 cases were cited in the literature and/or reported to us in answers to a recent questionnaire. Of these, 24 cases occurred between 1960 and 1969 and 78 between 1970 and 1979. This apparent increase in occurrence in the past decade is most probably due to the increase in the number of transfusions of whole blood or fresh fractions containing infected erythrocytes, although population exchanges with inter-tropical Africa may also play a preponderant role.