Frozen Red Blood Cells in Transfusion

Red blood cells (RBCs) can be cryopreserved with shelf life of 10 years. However, shelf life of deglycerolized RBCs in conventional open system is just 24 hours, resulting in sporadic use of Frozen RBC (FS-RBC). Recently Naval Blood Research Laboratory (NBRL) method using ACP 215 (ACP^™ 215 Haemonetics Cell Processing System) has been introduced, where shelf life of deglycerolized RBC is 14 days. FS-RBC unit is prepared from single blood donation, which needs to be glycerolized and deglycerolized. NBRL method using ACP 215 in FS-RBC is described. Deglycerolized unit weighed between 325–350 gm with haemoglobin of 15–18 gm/dl and freeze- thaw- wash RBC recovery of 87%. Transfusion of deglycerolized RBC offered advantages such as elimination of need of crossmatching in emergent situations and reduction of transfusion reactions. FS-RBC by NBRL method using ACP 215 has advantages such as long shelf life, meeting unexpected high blood demand in mass casualties situations or availability of rare blood group requirement of individual patient. FS-RBC can be a potential candidate for Indian Armed Forces Blood programme for uninterrupted blood supply during peace and war.Key Words: Frozen red blood cell, Cryopreservation, Blood transfusion, Armed forces blood programme     

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus among Voluntary Blood Donors

Background

Primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompetent host is self limiting infection, leading to latency of virus. However congenital CMV and CMV infections in immunocompromised patients are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Transfusion transmitted-cytomegalovirus (TT-CMV) infection in low birth weight neonate and immunocompromised transfusion recipients is being increasingly reported. Studies recommended transfusion of CMV free or CMV safe blood in prevention of TT-CMV. In this background, the study was undertaken to assess the CMV seroprevalence in blood donor.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in which 431 voluntary blood donors were screened for CMV IgG and IgM by EIA (Enzyme Immuno Assay).

Result

A total of 379 (87.9 %) voluntary blood donors were seropositive for CMV IgG. There was no statistical difference of CMV seropositivity and age. Further, seven (1.6%) subjects were both CMV IgM and IgG seropositive.

Conclusion

High seroprevalence of CMV in our donor population is a threat to the blood safety. Strategies in reducing the risk of TT- CMV are discussed. Use of prestorage leucodepleted ‘CMV safe’ blood components along with judicious use of blood is recommended in prevention of TT-CMV in high risk recipients.Key Words: Cytomegalovirus, Transfusion transmitted infections, Blood donors, Leucodepletion     

Acute paretic syndrome in juvenile White Leghorn chickens resembles late stages of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies in humans

Background

Sudden limb paresis is a common problem in White Leghorn flocks, affecting about 1% of the chicken population before achievement of sexual maturity. Previously, a similar clinical syndrome has been reported as being caused by inflammatory demyelination of peripheral nerve fibres. Here, we investigated in detail the immunopathology of this paretic syndrome and its possible resemblance to human neuropathies.

Methods

Neurologically affected chickens and control animals from one single flock underwent clinical and neuropathological examination. Peripheral nervous system (PNS) alterations were characterised using standard morphological techniques, including nerve fibre teasing and transmission electron microscopy. Infiltrating cells were phenotyped immunohistologically and quantified by flow cytometry. The cytokine expression pattern was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). These investigations were accomplished by MHC genotyping and a PCR screen for Marek's disease virus (MDV).

Results

Spontaneous paresis of White Leghorns is caused by cell-mediated, inflammatory demyelination affecting multiple cranial and spinal nerves and nerve roots with a proximodistal tapering. Clinical manifestation coincides with the employment of humoral immune mechanisms, enrolling plasma cell recruitment, deposition of myelin-bound IgG and antibody-dependent macrophageal myelin-stripping. Disease development was significantly linked to a 539 bp microsatellite in MHC locus LEI0258. An aetiological role for MDV was excluded.

Conclusions

The paretic phase of avian inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuritis immunobiologically resembles the late-acute disease stages of human acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and is characterised by a Th1-to-Th2 shift.     

The problem of obesity among adolescents in Hong Kong: a comparison using various diagnostic criteria

Background  

Obesity is now a global epidemic. In this study, we aimed to assess the rates of obesity using several major diagnostic criteria in Chinese school adolescents in Hong Kong.     

The use of Bi-level positive pressure ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory failure within the emergency department

Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is one of the eight leading causes of death for over 65-year-olds in Australia. Bi-level positive pressure (BiPAP) ventilation is the preferred form of non-invasive ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory failure in the emergency department (ED) because, when used appropriately, it reduces the need for intubation. The patient on whom BiPAP is applied is able to protect their own airway, remaining cooperative with a normal mental state. In this paper, I explain acute respiratory failure, the appropriateness of BiPAP in the treatment of ARF, patient selection and exclusion from BiPAP treatment, current practice and recommendations for future practice. While BiPAP is commonly used in Australian EDs as part of the treatment of acute respiratory failure, evidence supporting its use is limited and more high level research is recommended.     

Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV

HIV transmission from mother-to-child remains a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality in resource-poor settings. There is consensus that women who need antiretroviral treatment should receive this during pregnancy and beyond, and that an appropriate antiretroviral prophylactic regimen should be given to those who do not yet need ongoing therapy. Infant feeding remains a major source of infection and new antiretroviral strategies, for mothers or children, are emerging with the potential to control this. Access to HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment or prophylaxis remain very limited in low resource settings and needs to be expanded.     

4-(2-酰胺基-2-乙氧羰基)乙硫基-4-脱氧-4′-去甲表鬼臼毒素衍生物的合成与抗肿瘤活性

为考察4′-去甲基表鬼臼毒素4位上取代基结构变化与抗肿瘤活性的关系,设计并合成了23个标题化合物。体外L₁₂₁₀白血病细胞与KB细胞生长抑制试验的结果表明,化合物11,16和18的抗肿瘤活性超过依托泊甙,化合物8的活性与依托泊甙相当。