Effects of extended storage of whole blood before leucocyte depletion on coagulation factors in plasma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of leucocyte-depleted plasma produced from leucocyte-depleted whole blood, stored for different periods of times before filtration through polyurethane filters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood was collected, from 48 voluntary donors, into quadruple blood bag sets with integrated whole-blood filters, and stored at room temperature for 1, 2, 6, or 18 h before filtration. Five samples were taken: one directly from the donor; one immediately after collection; one before and one after filtration; and one from plasma units before freezing. All samples were analysed for the following parameters: prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; prothrombin fragments F1+2; fibrinogen; factors VIII, XI and XII; von Willebrand factor antigen; ristocetin cofactor activity; collagen-binding capacity; multimers; and complement C3a-desArg. RESULTS: Different whole-blood storage times before filtration did not have a significant effect on the stability of coagulation factors. The activity of all investigated coagulation factors in plasma was generally above 90 U/dl, even after 18 h of storage of whole blood before filtration. von Willebrand factor multimeric distribution remained stable throughout the process. However, activation of complement did occur during storage. CONCLUSIONS: Leucodepleted plasma originating from leucodepleted whole blood maintains a satisfactory level of coagulation factors, even after the storage of whole blood for 18 h at room temperature before filtration.

Evaluation of a whole-blood WBC-reduction filter that saves platelets: in vitro studies.

BACKGROUND: In this study, a new WBC-reduction in-line filter that removes WBCs but not platelets was evaluated. Three WBC-reduced blood components were prepared: RBCs, plasma, and platelet concentrates (PCs). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Whole-blood components (n = 30) were filtered within 2 to 4 hours after collection and then were centrifuged and separated into RBCs, plasma, and WBC-reduced buffy coat. Saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol solution was added to the RBCS: The WBC-reduced buffy coats were stored overnight; on the following day, PCs were prepared from pooled WBC-reduced buffy coats and stored in a medium composed of approximately 35 percent CPD plasma and 65 percent platelet additive solution (T-Sol, Baxter). The WBC-reduction capacity of the filter, the recovery of cells after filtration, and the in vitro storage of RBCs (n = 10) and platelets (n = 6) were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean and maximum WBC counts after filtration were 0.08 x 10(6) and 0.3 x 10(6), respectively, per filtered whole-blood unit. Recovery of RBCs (mean values) after filtration was 90 percent in whole-blood components and 73 percent in RBCS: Recovery of platelets (mean values) was 81 percent after filtration and 66 percent in PCS: The in vitro storage study of RBCs showed results comparable with previously published data, except for a lower degree of hemolysis. In the in vitro platelet storage study, results were compared with those of standard preparations. In all essentials, similar results were found. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that effective WBC reduction meets current standards and satisfactory recovery after filtration. The storage characteristics for RBCs and PCs are similar to those of standard preparations. Use of a whole-blood in-line filter to save platelets is a new option for whole-blood processing, which may simplify WBC reduction and blood component preparation, as well as reduce costs in the future.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of delusional, congruently delusional and non-congruently delusional subtypes of unipolar affective disorders]. / Procena efikasnosti elektrokonvulzivne terapije u lecenju nesumanutog, sumanutog kongruentnog i sumanutog nekongruentnog podtipa unipolarnog afektivnog poremecaja.

In this retrospective pilot study we tried to find out whether there were any differences in therapeutic response to electroconvulsive therapy in the patients with diagnosed unipolar affective disorder due to the presence and type of delusions in the clinical course of the disease. The sample consists of 45 inpatient unipolar depressives, 15 male and 30 female, divided into 3 experimental groups: nondelusional depressions, depressions with congruent delusions and depressions with incongruent delusions. Two variables were used to estimate the therapeutic response: number of received ECT treatments and proportion of full remissions. Our results showed significant differences between all the groups for both variables with the best therapeutic response in the group of incongruent delusional depressions and the worst in the group of nondelusional depressions.

[Major and minor congenital anomalies in children with Wilms' tumor]. / Kongenitalne major i minor anomalije kod dece sa Wilm'sovim tumorom.

Wilms's tumour is a paediatric tumour of hereditary origin in 40% of cases. In children with Wilms's tumour associated congenital anomalies are frequent, particularly congenital anomalies of the kidney and urogenital tract. Over the period from 1972 to 1987 the authors carried out a prospective study and systematically investigated congenital major and minor anomalies in 24 children with Wilms's tumour. They revealed the presence of aniridia, bilateral cataract and cryptorchidism in 1/24 children, mental retardation, small stigated congenital major and minor anomalies in 40 chidism in 1/40 children, mental retardation, small stature and a cystic kidney in 1/40, mental retardation in 3/40. A detailed investigation of minor anomalies confirmed the presence of 2 to 3 anomalies in all observed children. Cytogenetic investigation was performed in all children. Only in a child with aniridia Wilms's tumour a cytogenetic anomaly, 11p deletion, was found.

[Blood donation in Serbia, levels achieved, requirements and possibilities]. / Davalastvo krvi u SR Srbiji, dostignuti nivo, potrebe i mogucnosti.

Blood donation in Socialist Republic of Serbia can be divided into several developing stages which to a certain degree reflect the development and capabilities of blood transfusion service ensuring medical care in this particular domain. Blood donation is voluntary, anonymous and nonremunerated, an expression of the deepest feeling of humanity and interpersonal solidarity. It tends to constant rise and massive participation. Progressive increase in blood donation which ranges between 5 and 10% annually cannot, however, ensure enough blood for an increasingly wide application of component therapy and blood products. Discrepancy between collected and required quantities of blood is evident and it will be overcome when number of donations is increased from present 2,65/100 inhabitants to 5 donations. Consumption of blood per patient varies in different regions. Modern hemotherapy treatment requires well organized and socially directed activities in recruitment of blood donors as a permanent task of blood transfusion service, Red Cross and all other social and political organizations and medical services.