Effect of incubation with crystalloid solutions or medications on packed red blood cells.

BACKGROUND: American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) guidelines suggest that packed red blood cells (PRBCs) be administered through a dedicated intravenous (IV) catheter. Literature supporting this broad-scope declaration are scarce. Obtaining additional IV access is painful, costly, and an infectious risk. We evaluated the effect of co-incubating PRBCs with crystalloids and medications on PRBC hemolysis, membrane deformability, and aggregation, as well as medication concentration. METHODS: PRBCs were co-incubated 5 minutes with plasma, normal saline (NS), 5% dextrose in water (D5W), Plasmalyte, epinephrine (epi), norepinephrine (norepi), dopamine (dopa), or Propofol (prop). Samples were then assessed for hemolysis (free hemoglobin, serum potassium), membrane deformability (elongation index [EI]), aggregation (smear, critical shear stress [mPa]) and drug concentration (High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry [LCMS-MS]). Significance (p ≤ 0.05) was determined by Wilcoxon-paired comparisons or Wilcoxon/Kruskall Willis with post-hoc Dunn's test. RESULTS: Compared to co-incubation with plasma: 1) co-incubation resulted in significantly increased hemolysis only when D5W as used (free hemoglobin, increased potassium); 2) EI trended lower when co-incubated with D5W and trended toward higher when co-incubated with prop; 3) aggregation was significantly lower when PRBCs co-incubated with NS, D5W, or Plasmalyte, and trended lower when co-incubated with epi, norepi, or dopa. Medication concentrations were between those predicted by distribution only in plasma and distribution through the entire intra- and extracellular space. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that 5 minutes of PRBC incubation with isotonic crystalloids or catecholamines does not deleteriously alter PRBC hemolysis, membrane deformability, or aggregation. Co-incubation with D5W likely increases hemolysis. Propofol may promote hemolysis.

Analgesic Efficacy and Hematologic Effects of Robenacoxib in Mice.

NSAID analgesics may confound models that require inflammation to mimic disease development in humans. This effect presents a challenge for veterinary staff and investigators, because surgery is often necessary to create mouse models of disease and NSAID are first-line analgesics used to treat postoperative pain. We evaluated robenacoxib, a NSAID highly selective for cyclooxygenase 2, in a carrageenan paw edema (CPE) assay and surgical model of venous thrombosis (VT). We generated a mouse-specific dose-response curve by using the CPE assay for robenacoxib doses of 3.2, 10, 32 and 100 mg/kg SC. Electronic von Frey assay, calipers, and novel software for measuring open-field activity revealed that all robenacoxib doses provided, identified effective analgesia at 3 and 6 h, compared with saline. In addition, the 100-mg/kg dose had measurable antiinflammatory effects but yielded adverse clinical side effects. Because the 32-mg/kg dose was the highest analgesic dose that did not decrease paw swelling, we evaluated it further by using the same nociceptive and behavioral assays in addition to a novel nest-consolidation test, and assessment of blood clotting and hematologic parameters in the surgical VT model. A single preemptive dose of either 32 mg/kg SC robenacoxib or 5 mg/kg SC carprofen protected against secondary hyperalgesia at 24 and 48 h. Neither drug altered clot formation or hematology values in the VT model. The open-field activity software and our novel nest consolidation test both identified significant postoperative discomfort but did not differentiate between saline and analgesia groups. In light of these data, a single preemptive subcutaneous dose of 32 mg/kg of robenacoxib or 5 mg/kg of carprofen did not impede this VT mode but also failed to provide sufficient postoperative analgesia.

Economic development, legality, and the transplant effect

The paper analyze the determinants of effective legal institutions (legality) using data from 49 countries. Shows that the way the law wasinitially transplanted and received is a more important determinant than the supply of law from a particular legal family.

Efficacy of an Oxygen Scavenger to Modify the Atmosphere and Prevent Mold Growth on Meal, Ready-to-Eat Pouched Bread.

An oxygen scavenging system enclosed in a pouch with baked, meal, ready-to-eat bread prevented growth of a mixed mold inoculum on the surface of the bread for 13 months. In the absence of the oxygen scavenger, growth of Aspergillus and Penicillium was visible on the bread within 14 d. Growth of molds on pouched culture media, with and without sorbate, was also prevented by oxygen scavenging packets.

Bacteriology, Water Activity and Moisture/Salt Ratio of Six Brands of Precooked Canned Bacon.

Six commercial brands of precooked canned bacon, comprising 101 cans, were examined to determine if they complied with military specifications for a moisture-to-salt (M/S) ratio (percent moisture divided by percent salt) of ⩽ 9.0. Three brands were found in compliance with expected lot average values (ELAV) for M/S ratio of 4.70, 5.58 and 6.10. Water activity ELAVs of samples from these three brands were 0.82, 0.89 and 0.91; aerobic plates counts (APCs) ranged from <100 (64%) to 1500/g. Brands not in compliance had M/S ratio ELAVs of 11.24, 12.00 and 12.83; water activity ELAVs of 0.93, 0.97 and 0.99; and APCs as high as 1.7 × 107/g.