Transfusion
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Pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) were developed to improve the safety of platelet concentrates (PCs) for transfusion purposes; however, several studies report a negative impact on the in vitro and in vivo platelet (PLT) quality. Therefore, analyses of the underlying molecular processes triggered by PRT treatments are necessary to understand their effects on PLT function. ⋯ Treatment of PCs with Mirasol leads to the amplification of VASP Ser-239 phosphorylation, which is linked to actin dynamics and regulation of integrin α(IIb) β(3) activation. This change offers one explanation for Mirasol's impact on PLT in vitro quality measures. The Ser-239 phosphorylation level of VASP might be a useful protein marker for riboflavin and UV light-mediated PLT compromise.
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Given an aging population that requires increased medical care, an increasing number of deferrals from the donor pool, and a growing immigrant population that typically has lower donation rates, the purpose of this article is to forecast Ontario's blood supply and demand. ⋯ Predictions show that demand for blood products will outpace supply in the near future given current age- and sex-specific supply and demand rates. However, we note that the careful management of the blood supply by Canadian Blood Services, along with new medical techniques and the recruitment of new donors to the system, will remove future concerns.
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The American Red Cross implemented hepatitis B virus (HBV) minipool (MP)-nucleic acid testing (NAT) in June 2009, in addition to existing tests for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). The value of all three tests was evaluated. ⋯ The HBV DNA-positive yield rate from MP-NAT was lower than expected, likely representing the rarity of such findings even in very large studies. With the implementation of HBV MP-NAT, the value of maintaining anti-HBc for the detection of low-level HBV DNA-positive donors was confirmed; however, HBsAg screening showed no blood safety value.
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Historical Article
Transfusion medicine history illustrated. Both expressions of blood donors.