Single Donor Research Articles

Simultaneous Removal of Nitrate and Phosphate in a Pyrrhotite and Sulfur-Circulating Packed Bed Reactor

A pyrrhotite and sulfur-circulating packed bed reactor (PS-CPBR) was constructed to study the removal process and mechanism of NO3−-N and PO43−-P with different electron donors. The results showed that the NO3−-N and PO43−-P removal performance of mixed electron donors (pyrrhotite and sulfur) was superior to the single electron donor (pyrrhotite). The optimum conditions of NO3−-N and PO43−-P removal in the PS-CPBR were a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 h and a C/N of 0, and the average removal efficiency was 100% and 86.39%. The sulfur in mixed electron donors was able to promote the dissolution of pyrrhotite and the formation of polysulfide to increase the effectiveness of electron donors, promoting the removal of NO3−-N, while the PO43−-P was removed in the form of FePO4 precipitation. Microbial and functional gene analyses demonstrated that different electron donors were able to influence the abundance of microbial communities and denitrification functional genes. Meanwhile, mixed electron donors were able to increase the protein content of biofilms and reduce the resistance of electron transfer between microorganisms and electrons.

Simultaneous effects of hydrostatic pressure and temperature on the electronic spectrum in the presence of a single off-center donor atom in a hemi-quantum ring

This study numerically investigates the electronic and donor atom properties of an electron and off-center donor atom confined in a hemi-quantum-ring (HQR) using the effective mass approximation and an infinite confinement potential. The Schrödinger equation is solved using finite element and difference methods to obtain the system’s eigenenergies and eigenfunctions. The study examines the influence of the electronic spectrum under the simultaneous effects of HQR sizes, temperature, and hydrostatic pressure applied to three directions Rg, Rc, and φ0. Additionally, the influence of donor displacement on binding and donor energies is evaluated. The numerical results show that the electronic and binding energies are highly sensitive to the size of the HQR nanostructure. Furthermore, the study found that the donor atom displacement can control the variation of binding energy and donor energy for different values of hydrostatic pressure and temperature, such as the pressure (temperature) contribution increases (decreases) the binding energy. Also, the hydrostatic pressure (temperature) applied leads to a decrease (increase) of the first four confined state energies and donor energy. The simultaneous influence of geometrical parameters, hydrostatic pressure, and temperature can help improve the efficiency of electronic devices.

Platelet Apheresis: Experience of the blood transfusion center of Avicenne military hospital in Marrakesh

Apheresis platelet concentrates (APC) are platelet suspensions obtained by apheresis from a cell separator. These techniques, which appeared a little more than 20 years ago, are currently the best way to obtain platelets in large quantities from a single donor. These separators, whether discontinuous or continuous flow, perform extracorporeal circulation from anticoagulated blood, which allows the collection of platelets, returning to the donor his red blood cells and a more or less important part of his plasma. The procedures used are all automated and often adaptable to the donor's parameters. Apheresis platelet concentrates are single-donor products and therefore limit the transfusion risks compared to standard platelet concentrate mixtures, which are derived from five to six donors on average. The objective of our work is to study platelet donations by apheresis technique, their advantage, indication, and description of the equipment used, during a period of 3 years, from July 2017 until July 2020. And during this period, 29 apheresis procedures were performed by HAEMONETICS' MCS+. The clinical hematology department is the first applicant of APC where acute leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are the most treated pathologies by this substitution.

Fecal microbiota transplant delivered via invasive routes in irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) results in significant loss of quality of life. Management guidelines do not recommend fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) for IBS based on weak evidence as refined data is lacking. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to ascertain the pooled clinical outcomes of FMT in IBS, delivered via invasive routes. Multiple databases were searched through January 2023 to identify studies that reported on FMT treatment in IBS by invasive routes. Standard meta-analysis methodology using the random-effects model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2% and 95% predication interval. Five studies were included. As many as 377IBS patients were assessed, of which 238 received FMT and 139 received placebo. One study used nasojejunal tubes, one esophagogastroduodenoscopyand three colonoscopy for FMT delivery. FMT via colonoscopy was performed as a one-time procedure instilled into the cecum. Two studies used 30 g of stool from a single universal donor and one study used 50-80 g of pooled donor feces. The pooled odds ratio of improvement in IBS symptoms with FMT was significantly better as compared to that of placebo OR = 2.9 (95% CI [1.6-5.2, I2 = 62%, p < 0.001]). This was true for studies that exclusively used colonoscopy (OR = 2.1 [1.1-4.2, p = 0.04]). In the FMT arm, 10 patients (10.6%) reported abdomen pain and worsening of symptoms with bloating and six patients (6.3%) reported diarrhea. FMT delivered via invasive routes, especially colonoscopy, demonstrated significant improvement in IBS symptoms. A single FMT consisting of 30 g or more of single universal donor feces instilled into the cecum is the predominant modality.

Discussion: Simultaneous Scalp, Skull, Kidney, and Pancreas Transplant from a Single Donor: Insights from a 5-Year Follow-Up.

Chaya, Bachar F. MD; Trilles, Jorge BS; Rodriguez, Eduardo D. MD, DDS Author Information

Alkali Halide and MIBC Interaction at Typical Flotation Interfaces in Saline Water as Determined by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The molecular structure of the liquid–vapor interfaces of aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC, (CH3)2CHCH2COCH3) is determined by using molecular dynamics simulations with polarizable force fields for the first time. The salts are chlorides, and iodides, some of which are found in raw and partially desalinated seawater increasingly used in flotation operations in regions affected by severe and prolonged drought. The density profiles at the interfaces show that all ions prefer the interface; however, with MIBC, non-polarizable ions, generally small ones, are increasingly pushed into the liquid bulk. A few ions of comparatively less ionic NaCl than KCl and CsCl, persist at the interface, consistent with spectroscopy observations. On the other hand, strongly polarizable ions such as I− always share the interface with MIBC. In the presence of chlorides, the frother chains at the interface stretch slightly more toward vapor than in freshwater; however, in the presence of iodides, the chains stretch so much that they become orthogonal to the interface, giving rise to a well-packed monolayer, which is the most effective configuration. The dominant water configurations at the interface are double donor and single donor, with hydrogen atoms pointing toward the liquid, consistent with studies with sum-frequency generation experiments and extensive ab initio simulations. This picture changes radically in the presence of MIBC and salts. Depending on the halide and MIBC concentration, the different molecular configurations at the interface lead to very different surface tensions. The structure and properties of these new salt-rich interfaces and their impact on the location and arrangement of frother molecules should serve the flotation practitioner, especially in the search for the best frother and dosing in poor-quality water.

Estimation of serum calcium levels in apheresis platelet donors.

Apheresis is practiced widely to collect single donor platelets (SDPs). This procedure utilizes an anticoagulant acid citrate dextrose to prevent clotting of blood in the extracorporeal circuit which chelates divalent ions like calcium. This alters the calcium homeostasis resulting in hypocalcemia causing acute adverse events. The study aimed to know the calcium homeostasis in apheresis platelet donors. This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2020 in the department of transfusion medicine. The sample size was 50. Donors who walk in for voluntary SDP donation were selected. Total and ionized calcium, pH, and serum albumin for all the donors at baseline and ionic calcium at the end of the procedure and 30 min after the procedure were measured. According to statistical analysis of the ionic calcium level at pre procedure, immediate post procedure and 30 minutes post procedure, there was decrease in the value immediate post procedure and values returned to baseline within 30 minutes. The levels of pH change were analyzed. On comparing the preprocedure and immediate postprocedure values, there was a significant lowering of pH value from the baseline (P = 0.5), indicating acute lowering of pH immediate postprocedure. Hence, most of the citrate metabolism can be achieved within 30 min after completion of the apheresis procedure. SDP collection is essentially a safe procedure with minimal adverse effects. Toxicity of citrate is not much pronounced. Recovery of calcium levels is within 30 min of completion of plateletpheresis.

Thianthrene Radical Cation as a TransientSETMediator: Photoinduced Thiocyanation and Selenocyanation of Arylthianthrenium Salts†

Comprehensive SummaryA novel transient SET mediator approach has been developed for the photoinduced radical‐radical cross coupling reaction. Using thein‐situgenerated thianthrene radical cation as the transient SET mediator, the thiocyanation and selenocyanation of aryl thianthrenium salts have been realized under the mild conditions without the need for photocatalyst or single electron donor. In comparison with the photocatalyst enabled process, the protocol features mild conditions, simple manipulation, a broad substrate scope, excellent functional group and heterocycle tolerance. Due to the feasible accessibility of aryl thianthrenium salts, this method has also been applied in the efficient synthesis of a bioactive molecule, and the late‐stage functionalization of complex arenes.

Is Erythrocytosis More Common After Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Transplantation? A Single-Center Experience

Post-transplant erythrocytosis (PTE) is reported in 8% to 22% of kidney transplant recipients. Few studies have evaluated the prevalence of PTE in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation (SPKT). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of PTE in a cohort of SPKT and same-donor single kidney transplant patients and find predictive factors for erythrocytosis development. A single-center retrospective cohort study was performed with 65 SPKT recipients and 65 same-donor single kidney transplant patients. Post-transplant erythrocytosis was defined as a hematocrit persistently >51% without a known cause of erythrocytosis. The PTE prevalence was 23.1% and was more frequent in SPKT patients than in single donor patients (38.5% vs 7.7%; P < .001). The mean time for PTE development was 11.2 ± 13.3 months. In the multivariate model, SPKT was the only predictor for PTE development. De novo hypertension was more frequent in the PTE group (P=.002), but there was no difference in stroke and pancreatic or kidney thrombosis occurrence. Post-transplant erythrocytosis is more common after SPKT than after single kidney transplantation. De novo hypertension was more frequent in the erythrocytosis group, but allograft thrombosis rates.

A cross-sectional survey of platelet transfusion practices from a tertiary care center

Introduction and Aim: Platelets are precious blood components with a very short shelf life of only 5 days. Appropriate usage is essential for judicial utilization of these components. Blood utilization metrics help in assessing the demand and understanding the utilization pattern of blood components and in improving transfusion practices. This study aims to audit and evaluate the platelet transfusion metrics and to know the utilization pattern of platelet transfusion practices at our center. Methods: This was a retrospective observational audit conducted over a period of 6 months to evaluate the transfusion requests received for platelet transfusion and to understand the utilization pattern across various specialties. Results: Platelet transfusions were done only in about half the requests received 855/1543(55.4%) comprising 92% of Random Donor Platelet products and in the remaining Single donor platelet were transfused. The pre-transfusion platelet counts were documented in 1007(62.26%) of the request forms received. The utilization of platelet components was highest in General Medicine (29.6% SDP, 37.23% RDP) and Medical Oncology (40.8% SDP; 30.65% RDP). Conclusion: Training and education at regular intervals about transfusion guidelines is essential for improvement of overall patient management. A standby order for platelet transfusion requests in par with type and screen of red cell components may help in better utilization of this valuable resource.

Plasma Derived Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Monocyte IL-18, IFN-α and IL-10 responses in Adults with HIV-related Cognitive Impairment

Abstract Background: HIV-associated neurocognitive dysfunction persists despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging modulators of immunological responses. We have previously shown that EVs expressing monocyte activation and neuronal markers associated with HIV associated cognitive impairment (CI). Whether these EV changes observed in people with HIV (PWH) influence innate cellular function among those with CI remains unclear. Method: Purified EV samples from 58 HIV-infected individuals on ART with either cognitive impairment (CI, n=48) or normal cognition (NC, n=10) and 8 uninfected controls were isolated using differential centrifugation and co-cultured with PBMCs from a single uninfected donor for 18 hrs. Eight intracellular cytokines and 13 surface chemokines and myeloid differentiation markers were assessed by spectral flow cytometry. Non-parametric statistical T tests were used. Result: Monocytes (mono) showed differential effects on multiple cytokine responses and cell surface receptors after exposure to EVs from HIV-infected individuals with or without CI. Levels of mono IL-18 were significantly lower after incubation with EVs derived from HIV-infected individuals compared to uninfected controls. Based on cognitive status, EVs from HIV-CI group significantly lower % of IL-18 mono responses and lower IFN-α and higher IL-10 responses on a per cell basis when compared to the NC group. Conclusion: These results suggest EVs can modulate mono function irrespective of HIV status. PWH with CI exhibited altered EV driven mono cytokine responses. Our data support interventions that target EVs to reverse or restore mono perturbations and limit neuropathology in PWH on ART. Supported by grants from NIH (R21NS106970 and R01NS117458)

The DNA-Buster: The evaluation of an alternative DNA recovery approach.

Touch DNA recovery techniques can have limitations, as their effectiveness depends on the substrate on which the DNA of a person of interest can be found. In this study, an in-house dry-vacuuming device, the DNA-Buster, was compared to traditional methods for its DNA recovery performance from items typically examined in forensic casework. The aim was to evaluate whether this dry-vacuuming approach can recover DNA efficiently, potentially complementing the well-established recovery strategies. For this, the performances of swabbing, taping, wet- (M-Vac®) and dry-vacuuming (DNA-Buster) were investigated quantitatively and qualitatively for touch DNA deposited on carpet, cotton sweater, stone, tile and wood. For the sweater, both vacuuming methods outperformed the other collection tools quantitatively. While the highest DNA amounts for the carpet were yielded by swabbing and taping, dry-vacuuming was equally good in reaching full DNA profiles, whereas less complete profiles were observed for the M-Vac®. For stone and tile, swabbing was optimal, whereas dry-vacuuming clearly underperformed for these substrates. Taping was the best recovery method for wood. Despite applying single donor DNA after thoroughly cleaning the items, undesired DNA mixtures were detected for all recovery techniques and all substrates. The overall research findings show first that the novel dry-vacuuming method is suited for DNA recovery from textiles. Secondly, they indicate that more attention should be paid to the substrate-collection dependency to ensure best practices in recovering genetic material in a precise, confident and targeted manner from the variety of forensic casework material.

Abstract 240: Bioactive Lipids In Circulation: Biomarker Of Ageing?

Blood transports cells and nutrients. However, it is less known that the major plasma compound is the lipid family in the broad sense. Among these lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride but also the family of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their metabolites. These lipid mediators are involved in several chronic, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. But, ageing is associated with chronic inflammation and affects almost 20% of the world’s population. Thus, it is by far the most important population before cardiovascular disease and cancer. Using mass spectrometry analyses, we evaluated the levels of different classes of lipid mediators from healthy young and elderly donors (single donor apheresis). Our data showed a significant decrease of lysophosphatidic acid species‘s expression, modulation of the 5-lipoxygenase product’s, as well as lipid mediators derived from PUFA oxidation. Their effect on blood vessel and circulating cells influenced their function. Indeed, lipid mediator intake is involved in transfusion reactions, and we observed an activation of blood cells, especially platelet, with significant increase of p-selectin. These data highlighted the importance of lipid mediator level in a context of transfusion and ageing of blood donor independently of the storage time of single donor apheresis. They can serve as biomarker of ageing.

Introducing a Rapid DNA Analysis Procedure for Crime Scene Samples Outside of the Laboratory-A Field Experiment.

Technological innovations enable rapid DNA analysis implementation possibilities. Concordantly, rapid DNA devices are being used in practice. However, the effects of implementing rapid DNA technologies in the crime scene investigation procedure have only been evaluated to a limited extent. In this study a field experiment was set up comparing 47 real crime scene cases following a rapid DNA analysis procedure outside of the laboratory (decentral), with 50 cases following the regular DNA analysis procedure at the forensic laboratory. The impact on duration of the investigative process, and on the quality of the analyzed trace results (97 blood and 38 saliva traces) was measured. The results of the study show that the duration of the investigation process has been significantly reduced in cases where the decentral rapid DNA procedure was deployed, compared to cases where the regular procedure was used. Most of the delay in the regular process lies in the procedural steps during the police investigation, not in the DNA analysis, which highlights the importance of an effective work process and having sufficient capacity available. This study also shows that rapid DNA techniques are less sensitive than regular DNA analysis equipment. The device used in this study was only to a limited extent suitable for the analysis of saliva traces secured at the crime scene and can mainly be used for the analysis of visible blood traces with an expected high DNA quantity of a single donor.

Bioactive lipids as biomarkers of adverse reactions associated with apheresis platelet concentrate transfusion.

Platelet concentrate (PC) transfusion seeks to provide haemostasis in patients presenting severe central thrombocytopenia or severe bleeding. PCs may induce adverse reactions (AR) that can occasionally be severe (SAR). PCs contain active biomolecules such as cytokines and lipid mediators. The processing and storage of PCs creates so-called structural and biochemical storage lesions that accumulate when blood products reach their shelf life. We sought to investigate lipid mediators as bioactive molecules of interest during storage and review associations with adverse reactions post-transfusion. To facilitate understanding, we focused on single donor apheresis (SDA) PCs with approximately 31.8% of PCs being delivered in our setting. Indeed, pooled PCs are the most widely transfused products, but the study of a single donor lipid mediator is easier to interpret. We are investigating key lipid mediators involved in AR. Adverse reactions were closely monitored in accordance with current national and regional haemovigilance protocols. Residual PCs were analysed post-transfusion in a series of observations, both with and without severe reactions in recipients. A decrease in the lysophosphatidylcholine species to produce the lysophosphatidic acid species has been observed during storage and in the case of AR. Lysophosphatidic acid increased with primarily platelet-inhibitor lipids. Anti-inflammatory platelet-induced inhibition lipids were weakly expressed in cases of severe adverse reactions. We therefore propose that a decrease in lysophosphatidylcholine and an increase in lysophosphatidic acid can prospectively predict serious adverse transfusion reactions.

Laser-induced micro-scale polychrome marking of glass materials

Stable polychrome marking on glass products is a highly demanded operation in industry. In this work indirect laser processing for polychrome marking of glass in the acceptor–donor (back laser-induced film transfer) scheme is demonstrated for the first time. The glass color marking was performed by a widespread industrial laser marker in conjunction with a brass alloy L63 plate. With such a scheme we provided four colors using a single donor material. Raman and SEM analysis showed evidence of Cu and Zn oxides and brass nanoparticles after the marking process, which are responsible for color formation. Furthermore, application of colored QR codes consisting of 30 µm-sized elements was demonstrated.

Toward Imaging Defect-Mediated Energy Transfer between Single Nanocrystal Donors and Single Molecule Acceptors.

Defect-mediated energy transfer is an energy transfer process between midgap electronic states in a semiconductor nanocrystal (NC) and molecular acceptors, such as fluorescent dye molecules. Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy represents an exciting technique for pinpointing the nanoscale positions of lattice defect sites in, for example, a micrometer-sized particle or thin film sample by spatially resolving the location of the acceptor dye molecules with nanometer resolution. Toward this goal, our group performed ensemble-level, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy measurements of ZnO NC/Alexafluor 555 (A555) mixtures and calculated that the emissive defect sites are located, on average, 0.5 nm from the NC surface [Nilsson Z. N.; J. Chem. Phys.2021, 154 ( (5), ), 054704]. However, ensemble-level measurements cannot spatially resolve the defect sites on single particles, nor can they distinguish between surface-adsorbed dye molecules that participate in the energy transfer (EnT) process from those that do not. In this work, we compared the photoluminescence intensity trajectories of 789 isolated, single ZnO NC donors to those of 73 non-specifically bound and five specifically bound ZnO NC/A555 pairs, where the donor and acceptor centroid positions were separated by a distance that was smaller than our localization precision (40 nm). We observed minor fluorescence intensity fluctuations in the donor and defect channels instead of clear anticorrelated intensity fluctuations, which could be explained by (1) the presence of multiple emissive defect sites per NC, (2) donor-acceptor separation distances slightly larger than the Förster radius (R 0 = 3.1 nm; defined as the distance at which EnT is 50% efficient), and/or (3) poor dipole-dipole coupling. The single molecule imaging methodology we developed, an alternating ultraviolet-visible excitation sequence combined with multicolor photon detection, successfully distinguishes specifically bound and non-specifically bound NC/dye pairs and can be applied to study a wide range of hybrid NC/dye energy transfer systems.

Vaginal Delivery in a Primipara with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia

Vaginal Delivery in a Primipara with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia

Measuring hepatitis B pgRNA stability using an updated automated HBV pgRNA assay with increased sensitivity.

HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) is a circulating biomarker for covalently closed circular DNA activity in HBV-infected individuals and has been studied for treatment efficacy, disease staging, and off-therapy outcomes; however, data on the stability are scarce. Increasing HBV pgRNA assay sensitivity may improve its predictive value and provide additional insights at low viral levels. Modifications to a fully automated first (v1) generation HBV pgRNA assay improved sensitivity up to 15-fold over the previous assay. Flexible sample input volumes yielded lower limits of quantitation of 10 and 22 copies/mL for 0.6 and 0.2mL assays, respectively. Results are standardized to secondary standards that are traceable to the WHO HBV DNA standard, and internal and external controls are included. Comparison between v1 and modified v2 assays showed increased sensitivity from 152 copies/mL with v1 to 10 (0.6mL) and 22 (0.2mL) copies/mL with v2, respectively. Quantitated v2 results were indistinguishable from v1, indicating that comparisons can be made to previous studies. Single timepoint treatment-naive blood donors or longitudinal draws from patients with chronic hepatitis B on AB-729, an investigational siRNA therapy, showed improved detection and quantifiable pgRNA with v2 compared with v1. Stability testing demonstrated excellent HBV pgRNA plasma stability after 3 freeze-thaw cycles, for at least 7 days at 25-37°C and at least 30 days at 4°C, with ≤0.25 Log U/mL decrease. HBV pgRNA v2 assays with increased sensitivity and flexible input volumes demonstrated increased detection and quantitation of low viral titer samples. Highly sensitive HBV pgRNA assays may be useful in refining predictive treatment outcomes based on this marker. HBV pgRNA was stable under multiple conditions, which increases the reliability of this marker.

The Impacts of Single Preterm Human Donor Milk Compared to Mother’s Own Milk on Growth and Body Composition

(1) If mother´s own milk (MOM) is not available, pooled term human donor milk (HDM) is commonly used. Compared to MOM, term HDM contains less protein and fat and is associated with impaired growth. HDM from mothers of preterm infants is an alternative source and contains higher protein levels compared to term HDM, but the impacts on growth and body composition are unclear. (2) Methods: Infants born below 32 weeks of gestation and below 1500 g between 2017-2022, who underwent air displacement plethysmography (Pea Pod®) to determine body composition (FFM: fat-free mass; FM: fat mass) at term-equivalent age, were included. A comparison between infants fed with MOM > 50% (MOM-group) and single preterm HDM > 50% (HDM-group) was conducted. (3) Results: In total, 351 infants (MOM-group: n = 206; HDM-group: n = 145) were included for the analysis. The median FFM-Z-score (MOM-group: -1.09; IQR: -2.02, 1.11; HDM-group: -1.13; IQR: -2.03, 1.12; p = 0.96), FM-Z-score (MOM-group: 1.06; IQR: -0.08, 2.22; HDM-group: 1.19; IQR: -0.14, 2.20; p = 0.09), and median growth velocity (MOM-group: 23.1 g/kg/d; IQR: 20.7, 26.0; HDM: 22.5 g/kg/d; IQR: 19.7, 25.8; p = 0.15) values were not significantly different between the groups. (4) Conclusion: Single preterm HDM is a good alternative to support normal growth and body composition.