Objectives
Three leucoreduction filters were evaluated – when used alone or combined with centrifuge leucoreduction (C‐LR) – to prevent alloimmune platelet refractoriness in a dog platelet ...transfusion model.
Materials and Methods
Donor platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) or buffy coat (BC) platelets were either filter leucoreduced (F‐LR) or F‐LR/C‐LR, 51Cr radiolabelled and transfused. Weekly transfusions were given for up to 8 weeks or until platelet refractoriness. Recipients who accepted treated transfusions were then given non‐leucoreduced (non‐LR) platelets to determine whether donor‐specific tolerance had been induced.
Results
Acceptance of F‐LR PRP transfusions ranged from 29% to 66%. F‐LR/C‐LR transfusions prepared from PRP were accepted by 92%, from BC by 63% and from pooled PRP by 75% of recipients (p=NS); overall acceptance rate of F‐LR/C‐LR transfusions was 83%. Tolerance to subsequent non‐LR transfusions occurred in 45% of the F‐LR‐/C‐LR‐accepting recipients unrelated to DR‐B compatibility between donors and recipients (P = 0·18).
Conclusion
In a dog platelet transfusion model, acceptance of donor platelets required combining F‐LR with C‐LR as apparently each process removes different immunizing WBCs.
Background and Objectives
The purpose of our studies was to determine the effects of extended platelet storage on poststorage platelet viability.
Materials and Methods
Normal subjects were recruited ...to donate platelets using two different apheresis systems: either the COBE Spectra (n = 58) or the Haemonetics MCS+ (n = 84). Platelet recovery and survival data from the two systems were compared with each other and with in vitro measurements of the stored platelets.
Results
There were no significant differences in either platelet recoveries or survivals between the two machines between 1 and 8 days of storage. Combining the data from both machines, platelet recoveries decreased by 2·6% and survivals by 0·3 days/storage day. In vitro assays did not predict either platelet recoveries or survivals during storage for 5–8 days. After 9 days of storage, pHs were unacceptable (≤ 6·1), suggesting that 8 days will be the longest possible storage time.
Conclusions
These data suggest that, if stored platelet bacterial contamination issues are resolved, significant extension of platelet storage times is possible.
Beginning with the swine flu litigation of the early 1980s, epidemiological evidence has played an increasingly prominent role in helping the nation's courts deal with alleged causal connections ...between plaintiffs' diseases or other harm and exposure to specific noxious agents (such as asbestos, toxic waste, radiation, and pharmaceuticals). Judicial reliance on epidemiology has high-lighted the contrast between the nature of scientific proof and of legal proof. Epidemiologists need to recognize and understand the growing involvement of their profession in complex tort litigation.
Despite a promising beginning, the Consumer Product Safety Commission's contribution to consumer product safety today is far from praiseworthy. The commission's weakness and its failure to function ...on behalf of the public are examined.
Despite the strong support of dental and public health professionals, fluoridation of public water supplies in the U.S. has been under continuous attack by vocal groups claiming that it could cause a ...variety of injurious effects ranging from allergic reactions to cancer. Against this background, a lawsuit was brought by the Illinois Pure Water Committee alleging that the state fluoridation law was unconstitutional. The defence (Department of Public Health) successfully refuted the evidence of the plaintiffs as being unscientific, but failed to produce any evidence regarding the safety of fluoride. The case was awarded to the plaintiffs. The reversal of this decision on appeal established a worrying precedent, by allowing the State to engage in a practice affecting public health without any legal obligation to establish its safety or to demonstrate a significant benefit. It was not enough merely to refute misinformation, public health professionals must also be advocates, and use all available pertinent data in support of their case.
PDF
