Comparative evaluation of storage time on the quality of platelet concentrates prepared from buffy coat at ambient temperature

Background: Buffy coat-platelets concentrates (BC-PC) are prepared within 6-8 hours of blood collection with 1-2 hours of hanging period which imposes time constraints and logistic problems when collecting blood from blood donation camps in wide geographic areas. Methods: In our prospective study of one year at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana we prepared 50 units of BC-PC after hanging BC for 2 hours and another 50 after storing BC O/N at ambient temperature. Platelet (plt) count, WBC contamination and other biochemical parameters in both groups of PC were analyzed on day 1 and day 5 of preparation. Results: The mean plt counts of O/N BC-PC on day 1 was 8.36±1.22 × 1010, significantly higher than that of F (fresh) BC-PC (7.44±0.81 × 1010). On day 5, F BC-PC showed 6.21±0.88 × 1010 count while it was 6.87±0.96 × 1010 in O/N BC-PC. WBC contamination was lower in O/N BC-PC. On day 1, in F BC-PC WBC contamination was observed as 4.44±2.02 × 107 while in O/N BC-PC it was 3.19±3.33 × 107. On day 5, in F BC-PC WBC contamination was observed as 3.77±0.66 × 107 while in O/N BC-PC it was 2.92±1.71 × 107. Results of biochemical parameters (pH, pO2, pCO2, glucose) were significantly higher and better in F BC-PC but both methods of preparation provided plts optimal survival conditions throughout storage period. Conclusions: O/N BC-PC provides a better-quality product while solving logistic problems.

Comparison of two palliative regimens of radiation on the quality of life in metastatic non small cell lung cancer

Background: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in males worldwide and its number is increasing every year. Of these cases 75-80% case are of non-small cell type. Methods: This study was conducted on 30 patients of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in the department of radiation oncology at tertiary care center, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh India from 1st Jun 2019 to 30th Jun 2020 by dividing them into study and control arm for assessing quality of life (QOL) with EORTC QLQ-C30 version3.0. Results: We observed significant improvement in Global health scale of control arm (p=0.005) but it got worse in study arm (p=0.743). All the parameters of Functional scale i.e. Physical (p=0.584; 0.170), Role (p=0.213; 0.016), Emotional (p=0.239; 0.002), Cognitive (p=0.793; 0.247) and Social functioning (p=0.030; 0.231) got worse in study arm while they improved in control arm. As far as Symptom scale is concerned, in the study arm; dyspnea (p=0.724), appetite (p=0.836), constipation (0.192), diarrhea (p=0.341) improved but other symptoms like fatigue (p=0.566), nausea (p=0.347), pain (p=0.305), insomnia (p=0.025), financial difficulties (p=0.082) got worse while in control arm; fatigue (p=0.003), pain (p=0.000), dyspnea (p=0.022), insomnia (p=0.336), appetite (p=0.028), constipation (0.019), diarrhea (p=0.336), financial difficulties (p=0.336) improved and nausea (p=0.120) got worse. Conclusion: QOL assessment by the physician before commencement of the treatment and later on at every visit seems to be beneficial for symptom relief and to allay the anxiety of both patient and their attendants.