Voluntary Donors Research Articles

BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE STORED WHOLE BLOOD ASSESSED AT PERIODIC INTERVALS IN CPDA-1 ANTICOAGULANT CONTAINING BLOOD BAGS: A STUDY AT THE BLOOD BANK OF TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF SOUTHERN RAJASTHAN

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to study the various biochemical changes occurring in a stored whole blood unit at day 0, day 17th, and the 35th day in full blood bag containing citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-1 anticoagulant. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study had been carried out among 110 healthy volunteer donors in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, between August 2019 and July 2020. A 10 mL blood sample from each bag containing anti-coagulated blood being collected, and the level of sodium, potassium, chloride, total protein, and albumin were measured on days 0, 17th, and the 35th. Mean and standard deviation had been calculated for the parameters, a one-way analysis of variance test was applied to compare the differences, and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A higher proportion of males in the age group 18–27 years, and a generally steady increase in serum potassium level with a steady decrease in serum sodium, chloride, total protein, and albumin levels over the 35-day storage period. Conclusions: In this study, stored whole blood undergoing changes in its biochemical parameters had been studied and found to be significant. The study also recommends transfusion of fresh blood for high-risk patients.

Organ donation: Key factors influencing the younger generation's decision-making in China.

The organ transplantation sector in China is facing a severe shortage of donors, and the organ donation rate needs to be increased. Since 2015, voluntary donation by citizens has become the only source of organs for transplantation in China. In recent years, there has been a relatively positive change in young people's attitudes toward organ donation after death. The aim of the study was to understand young people's perceptions and attitudes toward organ donation and the factors that influence them and can positively impact the promotion of organ donation. By analyzing relevant literature and legal texts, we developed a questionnaire. Information was obtained through questionnaires and interviews, and 501 valid questionnaires were returned from the target group. A chi-square test was used to examine whether there were significant differences in the willingness to organ donation among young people with different characteristics. A factor analysis was used to investigate the main factors influencing the different attitudes of young people toward organ donation, and a one-way ANOVA was used to examine whether young people with different characteristics were affected differently by different factors. In our survey of young people aged 18-30 years, 99.2% of respondents knew about organ donation, 47.1% were willing to donate organs, and 15.2% understood that there were corresponding laws and regulations for organ donation. The study's findings showed that urban residents are more willing to be organ donators than rural residents; people with higher education levels have better awareness and are more willing to donate an organ; and people with religious beliefs are more likely to donate organs. The main factors that support the willingness of young people to donate are the social environment that provides support, their optimism in dealing with death, and their desire to realize their final value after death. The main factors for those unwilling to donate were low awareness or misconceptions about organ donation among individuals and their families and their attitudes toward death. As the people who took the questionnaire are probably interested in organ donation, the sample results will show a higher percentage of people who know about organ donation. We hope to discuss further with a larger and broader sample coverage to improve the estimates' validity and reflect the overall picture more accurately in a future study. Young people knew about organ donation but had a low depth of awareness. Household registration type, education level, and religious affiliation significantly correlate with people's willingness to donate. The supportive environment for organ donation in society and the correct understanding of the organ donation process and laws and regulations can influence people's willingness to donate.

Frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh blood group systems among blood donors at the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Center in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a retrospective cross-sectional study

ObjectivesABO and Rh blood group systems are the major factors affecting the blood transfusion safety. The frequency and distribution of these blood group systems vary worldwide. We aimed to determine...

Addressing Risks Derived From the Commodification of Substances of Human Origin: A European Proposal Applicable Worldwide.

In view of the public consultation recently launched by the World Health Organization on Regulatory Convergence of Cell and Gene Therapy Products and the Proposal for a Regulation on substances of human origin (SoHO) repealing the European Union Directives on Blood and on Tissues and Cells, an opportunity arises to define an ethical and transparent framework of collaboration between industry and authorities responsible for SoHO-derived products, comprising medicines, medical devices, transfusion, and transplantation. The commodification of SoHO-derived medicinal products and medical devices entails important risks to the sustainability of healthcare systems and threatens the equitable access of patients to innovative therapies. It may also jeopardize the principle of altruistic donation of SoHO that is required for the treatment and survival of thousands of patients every year. This article puts forward several proposals aimed at reconciling the ethical principles of voluntary and unpaid SoHO donation and the noncommercialization of the human body with obtaining a profit that allows business activities, while ensuring high quality, safety, and efficacy standards of tissues and cells for clinical use.

Emergency, ABO-Incompatible Living Donor Liver Re-Transplantation for Graft Failure Complicated by Pneumonia-Associated Sepsis.

Although liver re-transplantation is the only therapeutic option for acute and chronic graft failure, few studies have addressed the use of ABO-incompatible living donors in the emergency setting. Here, based on our experience, we report a successful case of emergency, ABO-incompatible, adult-to-adult, living donor liver re-transplantation (LDLT) for late graft failure from chronic rejection complicated by pneumonia-related sepsis. A fifty-five-year-old man had undergone LDLT for hepatocellular carcinoma accompanied by hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis in 30 September 2013. The voluntary donor was his 56-year-old wife, who was also a carrier of HCV. The donor and recipient blood types were the same: O and Rh positive. She underwent a right hepatectomy and was discharged on postoperative day (POD) seven. The patient was also discharged without complications on POD eleven and was followed up with on an outpatient basis. Abdominal distension and jaundice were developed at 6 months after LDLT, when the serum total bilirubin level was 2.7 mg/dL. The serum total bilirubin levels increased rapidly to 22.9 mg/dL over the next 4 months. Chronic rejection was diagnosed via liver biopsy. On 3 October 2014, he developed pneumonia-related sepsis and showed the progressive deterioration of liver function. Liver re-transplantation using the right liver from his ABO-incompatible, 20-year-old nephew was performed as an emergency in 15 October 2014. The donor blood type was A and Rh positive. The resection of the failed graft and the implantation of a new graft was performed by the intragraft dissection technique to re-use previously transplanted graft vessels in order to cope with severe adhesions. The recipient went through a gradual recovery process and was finally discharged on POD 50 with normal liver function, while the donor had an uneventful recovery and was discharged on POD 7. Biloma due to bile leak was detected three months after re-transplantation and was cured by percutaneous interventional procedures. Since then, the postoperative course has been event-free at regular outpatient follow-ups. The patient has so far had normal laboratory findings and no signs of complications. It has been 98 months since the re-transplantation, and the recipient and two donors are still in good condition with normal liver function, having complete satisfaction with the results obtained from this re-transplantation. In conclusion, long-term, satisfactory outcomes can be achieved in emergency, ABO-incompatible, adult-to-adult, living donor liver re-transplantation for graft failure complicated by pneumonia-related sepsis in selected patients.

SHOPEE PAYLATER LOANS REVIEWED OF KHES

The research problems are how to practice Shopee Paylater loans in Padang Sidempuan City and how to review the compilation of Sharia Economic Law on Shopee Paylater loans. religion teaches its people to have the nature of qanaah, not to have the related wasteful nature until learning the money to buy an item that does not get the benefit or necessary. In the compilation of Sharia Economic Law is mentioned qardh loans. In Article 615 KHES related to qardh, the customer may make additional or voluntary contributions to the lender as long as it is not promised in the transaction. The purpose of this study was to determine how the practice of Shopee Pay Later loans in the city of Padang Sidempuan and review based on the compilation of Sharia Economic Law.This research is field research that uses data collection techniques such as observation, interviews, and documentation. Then pick up books related to this research such as law books, journals, government publications, as well as sites or other sources that support this research. The result of this research is that Shopee Paylater can be accessed by all users by registering first. Then the user can directly do checkout by having an installment payment system of 3, 6, or 12 installments with a predetermined interest. The influence of the use of this feature has a consumptive impact on the community to become addicted to shopping or known as Shopaholic. Even the reprimand given by Shopee does not make some people a deterrent to loans. Based on a review of the compilation of Sharia Economic Law Against loans Shopee Paylater on e-commerce shows that the loan or qardh is not in accordance with article 609 KHES because in the compilation of Sharia Economic Law the borrower may provide additional payments or voluntary donations to the lender, but not agreed upon in the transaction.

Voluntary blood donation promotion in Haute Matsiatra region of Madagascar

Aims: Access to sufficient, secure supplies of blood and safe transfusion services is an essential part of any strong health system. The Haute Matsiatra region has a need for blood and blood products that exceeds current availability (only 7% of needs are met). The aim of this study ls to assess community knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding voluntary blood donation in order to identify the obstacles. Methods: We have conducted a community-based cross-sectional study from 26th to 31th July 2019 within a sample of 300 subjects using a structured questionnaire and face-to-face interview. Data were analyzed using R software version 4.0.2. Results: All participants were unanimous about vital role of blood so that 62.3% were willing to donate blood but only 13% have ever donated blood. The majority of respondents (60.0%) had never heard sensitization about blood donation. The reason for non-donation were related to fears of needlestick injuries during the blood collect (38.3%), fear of blood borne diseases (17%), the lack of sensitization (6%). There was a positive significant relationship between level of education and willingness to donate blood (p-value <0, 05). The likelihood of blood donation was found to be higher among male participant 28 (71.8%) p<0.05, and among >45 years group (21.4 %) p= 0.03. Among those who ever donated blood, only 37 (26.6%) of them have received sensitization about donation. Conclusion: There is growing interest in blood donation among the population. Activities to promote blood volunteer donation should take into account the demotivating reasons for blood donation. Source of funding : None Conflict of interest statement: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work. Authors’ contributions : All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and critically revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. Acknowledgments : We thank all those who, directly or indirectly, have contributed to this publication.

Profile of female blood donors in the blood transfusion units of Dr. Sardjito Central General Hospital Yogyakarta

Introduction: Blood transfusion has been widely used in various medical services due to its benefits. Blood transfusion units (UTD) in Indonesia remain to experience a shortage of 972,552 blood units, or amounted to 18.8%. The percentage of female donors in Indonesia is 27.5%, while that of male donors is 72.5%. This large difference in proportion is caused by various erroneous assumptions, including that women are considered to have donated blood naturally every month through the menstrual process. This study aims to prove the low proportion of female donors and discovering the profile of female donors in the Blood Transfusion Unit (hereinafter referred to as UTD) of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital (hereinafter referred to as RSUP Dr. Sardjito) Yogyakarta. Methods: This descriptive study utilized data from 62,221 blood donors in 2017–2019 taken from the donor database of the UTD of RSUP Dr. Sardjito Yogyakarta. Results: Female donors at RSUP Dr. Sardjito in 2017-2019 reached 13,873 (22.3%) donors, 71.6% of them having an age range of 17-30 and 38.31% of them having blood type O. Rhesus positive was found in 99.58% of donors, while rhesus negative was found in 0.42% of donors. Female donors with a Hb range of 12.5-14 g/dL reached 69.16%, while those with a Hb range of 14.1-15.5 g/dL reached 26.97%. Whole blood component was found in 99.97% of donors, and voluntary donor status was found in 94.25% of donors. Conclusion: The proportion of female donors is much smaller than that of males, with the majority being whole-blood donors. The most common blood type found in female donors is O, and the highest age range is 17 to 30. The highest Hb range is 12.5-14 g/dL. Most of them are voluntary donors.

AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION AMONG VOLUNTARY AND REPLACEMENT DONORS. A PROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL BASED BLOOD CENTRE.

Scarcity of blood and blood products is frequently encountered in health care institutions. Increasing awareness among young people about blood donations can serve as an important pool of potential blood donors for hospitals. Aim: To assess the awareness of blood donations among voluntary and replacement donors. Material And Methods: a prospective study conducted in department of immunohematology and transfusion medicine LD (Lal ded)Hospital a tertiary care hospital In Srinagar,Jammu and Kashmir,India. The study was carried over a period of one year from August 2021 to July 2022. Results: In this present study 64.3% were voluntary donors and 35.7% were replacement donors.22.8% the height percentage among donors show apprehension of weakness after blood donations as the main reason for not donating blood. Followed by other reasons as well. 0.57% as least percentage of donors due to there low hemoglobulin as a reason for not donating blood.This reason was mainly seen among female donors. Conclusion: There is a critical need for training and culture building activities and programs to increase people's awareness and improve their attitude towards blood donation

Research on The Legal Path of Female Egg Donation in China under The Background of Low Fertility Rate

With the fertility rate declining yearly in China, egg donation has become a meaningful way to solve people's infertility and improve fertility. However, more laws and regulations on egg donation behavior norms and constraints must be more relevant. Promoting the legalization of egg donation in China and establishing a standardized national unified egg bank can help infertile parents reproduce through reproductive assistance technology and improve the national fertility level. Through literature review and summary, this paper found that there are ethical and moral risks, lack of reasonable supervision, and the egg donation platform has yet to be fully established in China. Therefore, it is necessary to establish and improve the relevant legal management system of egg banks and carry out more standardized and strict supervision and legal regulations on the specific procedures of egg donation, egg use, egg collection, and egg freezing. The public welfare of voluntary egg donation should be publicized more to reduce the possibility of commercial egg donation and egg freezing. Pay attention to the construction of egg banks, conduct data statistics, prevent the occurrence of inbreeding, protect the privacy of egg donors more comprehensively, and provide encouraging economic compensation to egg donors; Finally, the physical and mental health and safety of egg donors should be guaranteed to reduce the risk of egg donation.

Hematological Changes in Whole Blood Stored in Blood Bags Containing CPDA-1 Over a Period of 28 Days

Introduction: Blood storage is needed to ensure a readily available and safe blood supply. During blood storage in blood bank, biochemical and physical properties of RBCs are altered because of storage conditions. In normal conditions in the body circulation, these do not occur as optimum pH, temperature, nutrient concentration and waste products removal are maintained. The aim of this study was to observe the changes in whole blood stored in blood bags containing CPDA-1 over a period of 28 days.
 Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based observational study conducted in Blood Bank, National Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH), Birgunj. A total of 450 ml blood was drawn from 50 healthy volunteer donors into blood bags containing CPDA–1 anticoagulant and placed on the quarantine shelf of the blood bank refrigerator maintained at 2-8o centigrade. The blood bags were screened for HCV, HBsAg, syphillis and HIV. Ten milliliters blood was withdrawn from the blood bags on 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day and tested for hematological parameters using Yumizen H550 (HORIBA) fully automated hematology analyzer.
 Results: At the end of 28 days, whole blood storage in CPDA-1 revealed significant decrease in WBC (T = 4.79, p < 0.01) and platelets count (T=180.09, p < 0.01). Hematocrit increased significantly after 21 days of storage (T = 40.86, p < 0.01). MCHC and MCH also demonstrated significant increase during the storage period (T = 37.32, p < 0.01) and (T = 29.38, p < 0.01), respectively.
 Conclusion: WBC and platelets are significantly altered (decreased) when stored in blood bags containing CPDA- 1 after one week period. The study recommends whole blood transfusion before seventh day of donation in order to avoid the adverse outcome of hematological changes in stored blood. In case it has to be used beyond one week, then it should be leukodepleted before storage.

Effects of Walnut Bark Extract on the Human Platelet Aggregation, Adhesion, and Plasmatic Coagulation In Vitro.

Thrombosis is the formation of a clot within a blood vessel. Antithrombotic drugs are used for treating thrombosis, which can be the cause of hemorrhage. Currently, there is a need to discover novel antithrombotic drugs. Walnut is widely used to treat a wide range of health complaints. In this study, walnut bark extract was tested in hemostasis parameters: platelets adhesion, aggregation, and plasmatic coagulation in human blood. The crude aqueous extract of walnut bark was prepared by infusion and tested in vitro on hemostasis. Through blood collection from healthy volunteer donors, we studied different parameters of the primary hemostasis: platelet adhesion on the collagen-coated surface under flow, ADP, collagen, thrombin, and arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation, and of the secondary hemostasis by measuring prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) parameters. All experiments are realized in the absence and presence of the extract and repeated at least twice. The obtained data showed that the extract (1 and 2 mg/mL) significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the activated platelet adhesion on the collagen-coated surface. In the same way, the effect of the extract on platelet aggregation seems to depend on its concentration and on the nature of the agonist. The strongest inhibition of aggregation was observed in the case of collagen at 1 mg/mL, while there was no observed effect on arachidonic acid-induced aggregation. Moreover, the extract (1 mg/mL) affects the extrinsic, intrinsic, and common pathways of the human blood coagulation cascade by extending significantly (p < 0.001), both PT and APTT times. This study provides evidence that walnut bark extract, by its antiadhesive, antiaggregant, and anticoagulant activities, could be considered as a serious source of biological compounds for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis.

Comparative Analysis of Red Cell Parameters of First-time and Repeat Blood Donors: A Descriptive Study

Introduction: Blood transfusion services form an essential component of any healthcare system and it is imperative to provide adequate and safe blood for management of patients. Voluntary blood donors form the backbone of this service. However, regular donation by such voluntary donors may cause significant depletion of iron stores in the body. This has the potential to adversely affect the donor’s health, and also to lower the quality of blood being collected subsequently. The temporary deferral of such donors also causes reluctance to return for future blood donations, leading to decrease in size of the donor pool. The prompt detection of subclinical iron deficiency in voluntary blood donors is the need of the hour. Aim: To compare and analyse the difference in red cell parameters of first-time and repeat blood donors. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted by the Department of Blood Bank and Pathology at Rajarshi Dashrath Autonomous State Medical College, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, from July 2021 to December 2022. After prospective donors were assessed for suitability of blood donation, written informed consent was obtained, and 5 mL venous blood was collected into an Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)- anticoagulated vial via the antecubital fossa. Complete blood count was performed within one hour of collection using an automated haematology analyser. The parameters analysed in the study were Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), and Red cell Distribution Width (RDW). The generated data was compiled and statistical analysis, with Kruskal-Wallis test (at a p-value of 0.05) and post-hoc Dunn test was performed to determine the significant differences, if any. Results: The study included 455 participants, out of which 210 were repeat blood donors. The significant differences for MCV, MCH and RDW between groups defined by number of donations (p-value &lt;0.001) was observed. The difference was most significant between the donors having five or more donations compared to donors having no previous donations. No significant differences were observed for other parameters, with p-values for RBC count, haemoglobin, and MCHC being 0.3, 0.07, and 0.09, respectively. Conclusion: Repeat blood donors having low MCV and MCH along with high RDW, with haemoglobin values within normal range, are most susceptible to having subclinical iron deficiency, which needs to be identified and managed pre-emptively, before development of Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA). This is necessary in order to retain regular and repeat voluntary blood donors, and also to ensure adequate quality of collected blood.

Adverse Reactions and Complication in Voluntary Blood Donors.

Blood transfusion is a process by which blood replacement is performed in the treatment of various diseases with disorders of the number or function of blood cells or after bleeding. Blood helps save human lives and treat various diseases. Blood and blood products for the treatment of patients are prepared from the blood of voluntary donors. The aim of this sudy was to examine the frequency of adverse reactions in voluntary blood donors at the Polyclinic for Transfusion at the University Clinical Center Tuzla in the period 01.01.-31.12.2021. and, also, to determining the frequency, is to determine the severity of adverse reactions and the causes that led to them (gender, age, place of donation, whether they are more common during the first or repeated blood donation) as well as the consequences they leave behind. Our research includes voluntary blood donors who, in the period from 01.01.2021 until 31.12.2021., donated blood at the Polyclinic for Transfusion at the University Clinical Center Tuzla (UCC Tuzla). All donors have been selected according to earlier set criteria, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Council of Europe (12,13), involving age (≥18 years), weight (≥55kg), hemoglobin level (≥125g/dl for women, ≥135g/dl for men), hematocrit level (≥38% for women, ≥41g/dl for men), pulse (50-100 /min) and blood pressure (120/80-160/100mmHg). Each donor voluntarily filled out a uniformed questionary that involved data about personal and family history, as well as prior blood donations. In the Polyclinic for Transfusion UCC Tuzla, a study was conducted about adverse reactions among voluntary blood donors. During 2021 there were 14191 blood donors. From that number of donors, there were 75,4% (107000) fitting donors, while those who have been returned because they haven't satisfied donating criteria were 24,6% (3487). From the number of those who have donated blood (10700), negative reactions appeared in 1,8% (195) blood donors. Figure 1 shows adverse reactions in relation to the number of blood donations and gender. When it comes to gender, adverse reactions were recorded in 75,9% (148) male donors and 24,1% (47) female donors concering the total number of donors with adverse reactions. Our research showed that the prevalence of adverse reactions in voluntary blood donors is relatively low (1.8%). The adverse reactions are the result of vasovagal reactions, and most often occur in younger people (18 to 30 years old) in 55.9% of donors. Considering the low percentage of adverse reactions in relation to the total number of blood donors, and that they are mostly mild in intensity, it can be concluded that donating blood is safe process, and doesn't leave lasting consequences for the blood donor's health, and every donor returns to daily activities very quickly.

Adverse Reactions and Complication in Voluntary Blood Donors.

Blood transfusion is a process by which blood replacement is performed in the treatment of various diseases with disorders of the number or function of blood cells or after bleeding. Blood helps save human lives and treat various diseases. Blood and blood products for the treatment of patients are prepared from the blood of voluntary donors. The aim of this sudy was to examine the frequency of adverse reactions in voluntary blood donors at the Polyclinic for Transfusion at the University Clinical Center Tuzla in the period 01.01.-31.12.2021. and, also, to determining the frequency, is to determine the severity of adverse reactions and the causes that led to them (gender, age, place of donation, whether they are more common during the first or repeated blood donation) as well as the consequences they leave behind. Our research includes voluntary blood donors who, in the period from 01.01.2021 until 31.12.2021., donated blood at the Polyclinic for Transfusion at the University Clinical Center Tuzla (UCC Tuzla). All donors have been selected according to earlier set criteria, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Council of Europe (12,13), involving age (≥18 years), weight (≥55kg), hemoglobin level (≥125g/dl for women, ≥135g/dl for men), hematocrit level (≥38% for women, ≥41g/dl for men), pulse (50-100 /min) and blood pressure (120/80-160/100mmHg). Each donor voluntarily filled out a uniformed questionary that involved data about personal and family history, as well as prior blood donations. In the Polyclinic for Transfusion UCC Tuzla, a study was conducted about adverse reactions among voluntary blood donors. During 2021 there were 14191 blood donors. From that number of donors, there were 75,4% (107000) fitting donors, while those who have been returned because they haven't satisfied donating criteria were 24,6% (3487). From the number of those who have donated blood (10700), negative reactions appeared in 1,8% (195) blood donors. Figure 1 shows adverse reactions in relation to the number of blood donations and gender. When it comes to gender, adverse reactions were recorded in 75,9% (148) male donors and 24,1% (47) female donors concering the total number of donors with adverse reactions. Our research showed that the prevalence of adverse reactions in voluntary blood donors is relatively low (1.8%). The adverse reactions are the result of vasovagal reactions, and most often occur in younger people (18 to 30 years old) in 55.9% of donors. Considering the low percentage of adverse reactions in relation to the total number of blood donors, and that they are mostly mild in intensity, it can be concluded that donating blood is safe process, and doesn't leave lasting consequences for the blood donor's health, and every donor returns to daily activities very quickly.

«Содержался детский дом на средства крестьян». Документы о судьбах детей в период германской оккупации западных районов Калининской области. 1941–1944 гг.

In recent decades, Russian historians have shown considerable interest in studying the everyday life of Soviet citizens who found themselves in the territories temporarily occupied by the enemy during the Great Patriotic War. However, there are few scientific works on the daily life of children and adolescents in the zone of occupation. The development of this theme comes hand in hand with addressing new sources. The publication is to introduce into scientific use some archival documents containing information on the lives of orphans in the occupied Western districts of the Kalinin region (now part of the Pskov region). The sources published here highlight the methods used by the Nazis and their accomplices to solve the problem of homeless children. The article includes the text of the report by the head of the NKVD directorate for the Kalinin region, V. P. Pavlov, and that of the reference drafted by the deputy head of the Kalinin region department of public education, N. M. Kolmakov. Both documents are kept at the Tver Center for Documentation on the Contemporary History. Their authors describe the state of the orphanage in the village of Mikhailov Pogost of the Loknya district at the time of its liberation by the Red Army in late February 1944. The orphanage survived on voluntary donations from the local population. The children’s living conditions were difficult: they were in dire need of underwear, clothing, and shoes. Their diet was limited to whatever the locals could collect. Most children were sick, but received little if any medical care. The arrival of the Red Army was their rescue. After the expulsion of the invaders, the Soviet authorities undertook a series of measures to improve the situation of children. The third document is a contract for foster care of a homeless child. Texts of such contracts have been found in the fonds of the Velikie Luki branch of the State Archive of the Pskov Region. The documents were compiled in 1942. The contracts were signed by members of the Krasnogorodsk District Administration, a collaborationist administrative body under the control of German military structures, which was created by the Nazis during the occupation, and by citizens who took the children. Each document listed child's name, obligations of the caregiver and their family members to the child, as well as benefits to the foster family. The contracts were signed for a year. The comparative textual analysis of the documents finds few differences in the form and content of the contracts.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward blood donation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Both developing and developed countries are facing difficulties in finding regular donors. In areas that are exposed to frequent conflicts and wars, such as the Gaza Strip, there is a need for a continuous blood supply. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward blood donation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, in which 1506 participants were randomly selected from different governorates in the Gaza Strip. A structured and valid questionnaire was employed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward blood donation. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 28. The chi-square test was used to measure the significance of associations. A total of 1506 individuals living in the Gaza Strip participated. The total mean score of the overall knowledge and positive attitudes toward blood donation was 55.1% and 67.1%, respectively. Furthermore, 1236 (82.1%) of the study participants never donated blood. Of them, 260 (21.0%) demonstrated that they do not have information on when, where, and how to donate; 228 (18.4%) thought that they were not fit to donate; 187 (15.1%) demonstrated that they did not have time to donate; 143 (11.6%) feared health problems, and 132 (10.7%) feared anemia. On the contrary, 99 (36.7%) donated blood when a friend or relative needed blood, and 171 (63.3%) were voluntary donations. Statistically, a significant association was found between knowledge, attitudes, practices, and sociodemographic variables (p < 0.05 for all). The study findings indicated poor donation habits despite positive attitudes toward blood donation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. This research emphasizes the need to recognize and correct the knowledge gap that results in unfavorable behaviors against blood donation.

Modified Caffeine Release System and Its Immunomodulatory Effects on Breast Tumor Cells and Blood Phagocytes

Caffeine is an alkaloid present in a wide variety of plants. Currently the most consumed psychostimulant worldwide, its consumption is associated with several health benefits, including modulation of the innate and adaptive immune response, reduction of oxidative cellular stress, and decreased incidence of some cancers, including breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The interaction between biomaterials and drugs has enabled a great advance in science for developing controlled drug delivery systems and has been used to treat numerous pathologies. This work aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of caffeine associated or not with polyethylene glycol adsorbed in microemulsion (MLP) on MCF-7 cells, phagocytic cells (MN), and coculture. For biological assays, ATCC (American Type Culture Collection, USA) cell lines of breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and phagocytes (MN) obtained from voluntary donors were used. The cells (MN and MCF-7) and coculture were treated with caffeine and MLP and incubated for rheological characterization analyses: flow curve and viscosity, oxidative stress: superoxide anion assay (), and activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn-SOD). Caffeine and MLP increased viscosity and blood and MCF-7 cells and affected the immunomodulation of oxidative stress metabolism of MN and MCF-7 cells treated with caffeine and associated caffeine to the MLP. These data suggest that caffeine is associated or not with MLP-induced immunomodulatory effects on MN phagocytes and MCF-7 cells, demonstrating the antitumor activity via oxidative stress and can be a complementary alternative for treating breast cancer.

Body Donation Awareness in Eastern Uttar Pradesh: A Cross-sectional Study among Medical Students, Practitioners, and Support Staff

Introduction: Cadavers play a crucial role in facilitating the study of anatomy, as a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy necessitates the dissection of human bodies. Additionally, cadavers are utilised for advanced laboratory work, workshops, and the training of surgical science postgraduates. With the rapid proliferation of medical colleges across the nation and the existing institutions striving to increase their student intake, the supply of unclaimed bodies may no longer be adequate to meet the demands of these institutions. Consequently, the necessity for voluntary body donation becomes increasingly pertinent. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and awareness regarding body donation among 1st-year MBBS students, healthcare professionals/doctors, and non teaching staff of a teaching institution in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Varun Arjun Medical College and Rohilkhand Hospital, Banthra, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The total number of study participants (n=230) was divided into three groups: 1st-year MBBS students (n=90), healthcare professionals/ doctors (n=70), and non teaching staff (n=70). A self-designed and structured questionnaire containing 15 questions was used in the study. Data were recorded in an Excel sheet and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26.0 (Chicago, Inc, USA). Results: In the MBBS and Doctors groups, all participants demonstrated familiarity with the study topic, while 95.7% of the non teaching group reported being unacquainted with the concept of body donation. Regarding the purpose of body donation, both MBBS students and Doctors indicated the dual purposes of organ donation/transplantation and medical teaching and research. Male respondents exhibited a notably positive attitude (96.6%) towards both purposes without reservation, while females showed a stronger inclination towards organ donation. When questioned about the procedure for donating the body, the MBBS students and non teaching staff displayed a lack of awareness regarding the process, with 89.5% of doctors being knowledgeable about the donation procedure. Conclusion: Despite the considerable level of awareness regarding body donation, there exists a notable lack of motivation, which could be addressed through effective sensitisation and education initiatives. Enhancing the scenario of insufficient body donations could be accomplished through targeted awareness campaigns utilising both print and electronic media.

Does government spending crowd out voluntary labor and donations?

Does government spending crowd out voluntary labor and donations?