Plasma protein therapies (PPTs) are a group of essential medicines extracted from human plasma through processes of industrial scale fractionation. They are used primarily to treat a number of rare, chronic disorders ensuing from inherited or acquired deficiencies of a number of physiologically essential proteins. These disorders include hemophilia A and B, different immunodeficiencies and alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. In addition, acute blood loss, burns and sepsis are treated by PPTs. Hence, a population of vulnerable and very sick individuals is dependent on these products. In addition, the continued well-being of large sections of the community, including pregnant women and their children, travelers and workers exposed to infectious risk is also subject to the availability of these therapies. Their manufacture to adequate amounts requires large volumes of human plasma as the starting material of a complex purification process. Mainstream blood transfusion services run primarily by the not-for-profit sector have attempted to provide this plasma through the separation of blood donations, but have failed to provide sufficient amounts to meet the clinical demand. The collection of plasma from donors willing to commit to the process of plasmapheresis, which is not only time consuming but requires a long term, continuing commitment, generates much higher amounts of plasma and has been an activity historically separate from the blood transfusion sector and run by commercial companies. These companies now supply two-thirds of the growing global need for these therapies, while the mainstream government-run blood sector continues to supply a shrinking proportion. The private sector plasmapheresis activity which provides the bulk of treatment products has been compensating the donors in order to recognize the time and effort required. Recent activities have reignited the debate regarding the ethical and medical aspects of such compensation. In this work, we review the landscape; assess the contributions made by the compensated and non-compensated sectors and synthesize the outcomes on the relevant patient communities of perturbing the current paradigm of compensated plasma donation. We conclude that the current era of "Patient Centeredness" in health care demands the continuation and extension of paid plasma donation.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10730-014-9253-5 | DOI Listing |
J Virus Erad
December 2024
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) are major health challenges in Thailand, with Phetchabun province, a known HCV-endemic area, being a key target for elimination efforts. This study aimed to assess HBV prevalence and identify associated risk factors in this province. Data was collected from three cross-sectional population studies: (1) adults in 2015 (n = 1,667, age 30-64 years), (2) young adults in 2017 (n = 1,453, age 18-30 years), both from high HCV-endemic districts, and (3) a province-wide study in 2018 (n = 4,769, age 35-64 years).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
General Practice, Eradah And Mental Health Complex, Taif, SAU.
Background: Blood donation plays a critical role in public health, yet long-term donors (donating at least twice per year, for at least three years) often face challenges related to psychological adjustment and quality of life. Digital health tools could offer innovative solutions to address these issues by providing personalized support, tracking, and mental health interventions.
Aim: This study investigates the impact of digital health tools on the quality of life (QoL) and psychological adjustment of long-term blood donors in Saudi Arabia, with attention to demographic factors influencing engagement and perceptions.
Mol Ther Oncol
December 2024
Cancer Immunotherapy Group, Oncobell and iProCURE programs, IDIBELL-Institut Català d'Oncologia, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a promising therapeutic approach for cancer, although their systemic administration faces significant challenges. Mesenchymal stem cells have emerged as potential carriers to overcome these obstacles due to their tumor-tropic properties. This study investigates the use of menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) as carriers for OVs in cancer therapy, focusing on enhancing their efficacy through different culture conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Med
December 2025
Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC)-Xiangya, Changsha, China.
Objectives: At present, most genetic tests or carrier screening are performed with blood samples, and the known carrier rate of disease-causing variants is also derived from blood. For semen donors, what is really passed on to offspring is the pathogenic variant in their sperm. This study aimed to determine whether pathogenic variants identified in the sperm of young semen donors are also present in their blood, and whether matching results for blood are consistent with results for sperm.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSmall
January 2025
Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
Tin-based halide perovskites represent a highly promising and eco-friendly alternative to lead-based materials with significant potential for optoelectronic applications. However, their advancement is hampered by challenges such as poor film crystallinity and unintended self-doping. Herein, this work reports the fabrication of high-quality CsSnBr perovskite films by plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD), which improves the film quality.
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