Comparison of autosurge versus surge protocols for discontinuous-flow centrifugation plateletapheresis

Autosurge is a new, highly automated protocol for collecting platelets by centrifugation plateletapheresis. It was developed to allow optimal cell collections with less operator effort than was required with the earlier, standard Surge protocol. The authors compared the cellular content of 201 platelet concentrates prepared by Surge with that of 120 concentrates prepared by Autosurge by the same group of operators, using the same cell separator. Platelet yields were similar (p = 0.775) for both protocols (mean X 10(-11) were 3.54 and 3.57 for Surge and Autosurge, respectively) and when subdivided according to preapheresis donor blood platelet counts, hematocrits, and leukocyte counts. Although platelet yields were comparable in concentrates prepared by either protocol, high donor hematocrit had less adverse effect on platelet yield when the Autosurge protocol was used. The composition of concentrates differed between protocols in that leukocytes contamination was significantly less (p less than 0.001) in units collected by Autosurge (3.4 X 10(8)) than in those collected by Surge (5.8 X 10(8)). Operator involvement can be less intense with Autosurge because the protocol includes automatic adjustment of cell separator settings for optimal plateletapheresis. The results of the direct comparison study were confirmed by data from 509 additional plateletapheresis procedures performed during routine blood center operation. Autosurge should replace Surge because the former easily produces platelet concentrates that contain fewer leukocytes without compromising platelet yields.     

Transfusion-transmitted babesiosis: a case report from a new endemic area

The seventh documented case of babesiosis transmitted by transfusion is reported. Both the donor and the recipient are residents of Connecticut, where the presence of endemic babesiosis has only recently been established. As the range of Babesia microti, and its vector the Ixodes dammini tick, continues to expand, clinicians and blood bank directors should be aware that cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis may occur in newly endemic areas.     

新烯二炔类大分子抗肿瘤抗生素C1027的分子构成与活性关系

C1027是含烯二炔发色团的大分子肽类新抗肿瘤抗生素,由一个蛋白和一个烯二炔发色团两部分构成。后者是活性部分,对肿瘤细胞有强杀伤作用,蛋白对发色团的活性有保护作用。蛋白和发色团在一定条件下可以重新组建成完整的C1027。C1027分子内的二硫键有辅助蛋白保护发色团的作用,当二硫键被还原后,C1027活性丢失加快。C1027被链霉蛋白酶降解产生一个分子量为3～5kDa的中间产物,此产物对肿瘤细胞的杀伤作用与完整C1027相同,表明C1027是可以裁剪的,保护发色团的最小肽段为3～5kDa。