In vitro variables of buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates with residual plasma of down to 10% are stably maintained in new-generation platelet additive solutions.

Background: Platelet additive solutions (PASs) facilitate plasma recovery and may reduce the risk of plasma-associated adverse transfusion reactions. Whereas current apheresis techniques are able to produce platelet concentrates (PCs) with reduced residual plasma volumes, it is still technically challenging to prepare PCs with plasma levels less than 20% from whole blood. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of producing buffy coat (BC)-derived platelets (PLTs) with as little as 10% residual plasma and to test the ability of PASs to preserve PLT quality under these conditions.

Exogenous HIV-1 Vpr disrupts IFN-alpha response by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and subsequent pDC/NK interplay.

HIV Vpr is known for its immunomodulatory capacities including its impairment of NK cell functions. However, the role of pDCs in this context remains elusive. We show that synthetic Vpr substantially inhibits type I IFN production by pDCs without inducing apoptosis in pDCs.

Significant correlation between maternal body mass index at delivery and in the second trimester, and second trimester circulating total cell-free DNA levels.

Objectives: The use of cell-free fetal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) requires the knowledge of variables that may influence the levels of cell-free DNA, such as maternal body mass index (BMI).

Material And Methods: In this study, using 406 maternal blood samples from the second trimester of pregnancy, cell-free fetal DNA specific for the SRY and DYS14 loci and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase sequence were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: No significant correlation was seen between the levels of cell-free fetal DNA and maternal BMI, whereas total cell-free DNA was significantly associated with maternal BMI at 20 to 21 weeks of gestation (P = .

Maternal smoking: effect on circulating cell-free fetal and total DNA levels in maternal plasma from the second trimester.

Objective: To estimate whether potential clinical applications of cell-free fetal and total DNA in the field of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis need to be adjusted for maternal smoking status.

Methods: In this study, using 344 maternal blood samples from the second trimester of pregnancy, circulating cell-free DNA in maternal plasma samples, specific for the SRY and DYS14 loci (representing fetal DNA) and GAPDH sequence (representing total genomic DNA) were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Fetal sex determination was 100% accurate using a combination of probes for SRY and DYS14.

Ureaplasma urealyticum-harmless commensal or underestimated enemy of human reproduction? A review.

This article reviews the role, diagnosis and treatment of Ureaplasma infections in human reproduction.